Horse Diver Sonora Webster Carver

 Sonora Webster Carver was a horse diver and thousands of people would come to see her jump a horse into a pool of water from a platform 40 feet high.  She became involved after answering an ad placed by William "Doc" Carver in  1923.  Doc's son Al took over the show.  She married Al in 1928.  She performed the trick for seven years without an accident.  However on one jump she was worried for the horse and neglected to close her eyes.  Both her retinas were detached and she became blind.  She did not however give up the act but continued to jump for another eleven years.  She retired in the 1940s after which she became a dictaphone typist and advocate for the blind.  She became adept at braille.  She died at age 99 in 2003.  Released by Disney, Wild Hearts Can't be Broken, is based on her story. PBS has released a documentary of her life.  

Patricia and Martin De Leon

Patricia and Martin De Leon were Tejanos during the time of the war between Texas and Santa Ana of Mexico.  They did not support the Mexican government but were for a free Texas.  They established a community with about 50 families called De Leon's Colony.  It was about the only Tejano established community in the area as most settlers in this area were from America.  They had ten childen, four boys and six girls.  They had a large property and helped to fund the Texans during the war. Martin died in 1833 of cholera.  His wife continued to manage the ranch.  It was also she who provided financial support and logistical support to the Texans and Tejanos who fought the Mexican army.  Several of her sons were also active in supplying Stephen Austin.  

Martin de Leon 

African American Cowboy Biography: Nat Love

 Nat Love not only had a distinctive name, his nickname was Deadwood Dick, but also a distinctive look with long hair, a hat pulled back and a white neckerchief.  He was born in Tennessee.  He won a raffle and used the prize money to travel west.  He first worked o a ranch in Texas and learned to shoot, rope and wrestle cattle.  He would later win a competition in Deadwood, South Dakota.  He won the shooting, roping, bronco riding, bridling and almost every prize.  He lived in Arizona and was contemporary with Pat Garret, Bat Masterson and Billy the Kid.  He married andf decided to settle down and from there lived in Los Angeles and worked for the train company.  He wrote his own autobiography.

Information from the book, The True West by Mifflin Lowe.

Documentary Review: The John Wayne Story (1993)

John Wayne has a long history in theater, spanning 50 years.  He was born Marion Morrison, but his name was changed to the more masculine John Wayne.  

The Early Years:  John Wayne's family moved to California, and that is when John Wayne was introduced to the theater.  He worked at odd jobs, and attended USC where he played football.  However his USC career ended with an injury, and so he turned more to the theater...He started with bit parts, and then started doing B movies.  He was the original singing cowboy, even though he couldn't sing nor play guitar.  Others did that for him.  Gene Autry and others took over this genre.  He would finally get his big break in a John Ford film called "Stagecoach."

The Later Years:  This movie takes up his more successful period, with a few flops added.  But even the flops usually eventually made a profit.  Usually after a flop usually a John Ford collaboration showed and he was on top again.  He did fourteen shows with John Ford as the director starting in 1939.  He was in the top ten of box office movies for 25 consecutive years, meaning one of his movies was always doing well.  Between 1950 and 1970 he was consistently in the top three.   He made five film with Maureen O'Hara as his costar, starting with Rio Grande in 1950.  John Wayne was in 175 movies over his 50 year career.  He won the Oscar in 1969 for best actor for his portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit."  He recreated this roll with Katherine Hepburn in 1975 in the film "Rooster Cogburn."

Cancer finally caught up with him.  His last film, "The Shootist" he portrays a gunslinger dying of cancer.  This was 1976.  He would die of cancer in 1979.

This film is very enjoyable.  The best part is the movie clips.  It also has many trailers.  There is a sketch with Dean Martin talking about their movie together.  Raquel Welch talks about humanitarian efforts Wayne did in Mexico.

Biographical Book Review: Charles Lindbergh: American Hero of Flight

 The People to Know Series, Charles Lindbergh: American Hero of Flight by Virginia Meachum, Enslow Publisher's Inc., Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, 2002.

This is a very good biography and tells many things about Charles Lindbergh that I did not know.  Of course it starts with his early days, and how he got into flying.  He was working as a mail pilot when decided he could fly across the Atlantic, which we all know he did becomeing the first person to do so.  

I did not know he was such a prlific author.  He won a Pulitzer for his book Spirit of St. Louis.  His wife Anne was also an author and pubished many books.  Before WWII he took an isolationist position and struggled to keep America out of the war.  A speech he gave in this regard was considered by some to be racist.  Lindbergh did serve in whatever way he could during the war.  He was not in active combat but was allowed to fly a few missions when he was a consultant.  His knowledge of aviation was very valuable.  He taught how to get better fuel mileage from the planes.

  He worked for TWA and Pan Am in establishing plane transportation work.  For TWA it was mostly across the U.S. and for Pan Am it was international flights.  

When he was older he worked to protect the environment and was on the board of the World Wildlife Fund.  

He was also a scientist and worked on an artificial heart.

The part that makes this book difficult to read is the kidnapping and murder of his son.  Charles jr was a year and a half when he was kidnapped for ransom.  The criminal who kidnapped young Charles apparently dropped him off the ladder and he fell on his head which killed him.  He still collected the ransom.  It was good to know that the man did not have the intent of killing the baby.  Lindbergh partially blamed this on the terrible amount of publicity and lack of privacy from his life of fame.  They lived in England for a time as a result.

Book Review: Your Friend and Mine, Andy Devine

 Your Friend and Mine, Andy Devine: A Memoir of a Father and His Son, by Dennis Devine, BearManor Media, Albany, Georgia, 2012.

This book gives plenty of inside information on the life of Andy Devine.  It is written by his son.  Devine grew up in Kingman.  His father was working for the railroad, but had an accident.  The cash payout after the accident allowed him to purchase the Beale Hotel in Kingman and this is where Andy Devine grew up.   Andy injured the roof of his mouth running with a curtain rod in his mouth.  It healed but left Devine with a distinctive raspy voice.  

Devine is most known for his Hollywood adventures.  The book includes a very good list of all the projects in which Devine acted.  This included roles with John Wayne and Roy Rogers, usually as a side kick.,  He hosted "Andy's Gang," a children's program.  He was in "Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok," a television series.

Andy's signature was his voice.  It was felt that his voice would limit him, especially as he graduated from silent movies to talkies.  But in truth it made him as people remembered his voice.  This is very distinctive in his voice role as Friar Tuck in the Disney "Robin Hood." 

The information in this is very good, but it does get lost trying to tell two stories at the same time.  It is also Dennis Devine memoir book.  It goes back and forth between the son telling his own history while also telling his father's history.  This frustrated me, as I was more interested int he Andy Devine story.

Documentary: Harry Potter Kids: Biography

Harry Potter Kids: Biography: Reveal the Magic Behind the Success of the Harry Potter Stars A&E  2008.

This is a good documentary to say where the Harry Potter Kids are from, but I was hoping for something about where they are now.  In this I was disappointed.  I guess I should have realized this from the elongated title; and also from the date the movie came out.  It predates the finish of the Harry Potter series.   However, only Daniel Radcliffe had previous movie acting experience.  He had portrayed the young David Copperfield in a movie made the year previous to harry Potter.  Emma Watson and Rupert Grint had stage experience, at school and community theater, but had never been in movies prior to Harry Potter.  It interviewed each of the three about getting the parts.  Looking back now, these three are the characters, harry Potter, Hermione and Ron Weasley.  So in the end, a good bit of data about how they were cast, and nothing of their life after Harry Potter.

Book Review: Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault that Changed a Presidency

Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault that Changed a Presidency by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard, Henry Hold and Company, New York, 2015.
Here is a book that tells two biographies; that of Ronald Reagan and that of John Hinckley Jr.  It covers more that just the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan.  He also explores their lives in general.  Of course President Reagan dominates the pages, from his acting career, to his being introduced to politics as president of the actor's union, and there also being introduced to the fight against communism.  That would be his biggest legacy.  He aced the way for millions of people to enjoy freedom, from the spark that started when he was an actor.
Reagan failed in his first attempt to win the Republican nomination.  However he won on his second attempt, and would go on to defeat Jimmy Carter in the general election who had defeated President Ford four years prior.  The country made a remarkable turn.  This turn lead to economic growth, and the defeat of communism in Eastern Europe.  However his presidency would have controversy with the Iran-Contra scandal.
President Reagan would eventually succumb to Alzheimer's.  It appears this even effected his memory during the latter part of his presidency.  He retired to his ranch in California.  What effect his fun-shot wound would have on his later health can only be the topic of speculation.
This was a very enjoyable read. 

Biography: Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played with Puppets

Jim Henson: The Guy Who Played with Puppets by Kathleen Krull, paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher, Random House, New York, 2011.
This book, though a children's book, gives a good description of the contributions of Jim Henson.  Jim Henson and his Muppets became household names after they joined the inaugural season of Sesame Street.
However Henson's first start on television was at the age of sixteen.  In college he studied home economics, because that was where he could study art and puppet making.  Then after graduation, after a time in Europe pursuing art, he dedicated himself to the Muppets.  They took off slowly.  That start was mostly in commercials, where the Muppets helped sponsor many different products from coffee to sausage.  (See You Tube Jim Henson commercials) However it was in 1968 with the start of Sesame Street that the Muppets really took off.  Kermit ws already a popular character, but Henson developed more, Oscar the Grouch, Bert and Ernie, and Miss Piggy.  Who can forget Kermit, and Piggy and the gang.  This eventually lead to a weekly television series, and a series of movies.
However the Muppets were not the only project for Henson.  He was also involved in The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.  He also helped design Yoda for The Empire Strikes Back.
The book mentions Henson receiving awards for his work, but does not give specifics.  What is for certain, Henson made millions of people laugh.
Henson died too young, at the age of 53 in 1990.  At his funeral where butterfly puppets of many different colors.

Documentary Review: 30 30 Fernando Nation

This ESPN documentary tells the story of Fernando Valenzuela, Mexican man who had a dream of pitching in major league baseball; and was actually doing so at the age of 18 when he was rookie of the year and the Cy Young Award winner.  He rode his screw ball to pitch in the World Series in the third game, which game they won, and went on to become champions.  This movie is presented over the backdrop of the construction of Dodger Stadium in Chavez Canyon, which was the home of many Mexican Americans.  They were evicted to make way for the stadium.  In 1981,  the Dodgers made amends with the Latino community with Fernando being part of the team, and the opening day starter.  Fernando had other career high lights, including a no-hitter in 1990; but nothing was like that first year.  His career record was 173-153 with and ERA of 3.54 and his career spanned 17 years.  His first ten years were with the Dodgers, and then several teams after this including the Jalisco Charros in Mexico.  He retired in 1997  but still plays independent ball or Mexican ball at times.

Biography: Cesar Chavez

I am home from work today for Cesar Chavez Day.  I started wondering, what is so significant about the day.  It is a Santa Clara County and California State holiday.
March 31 is the day of the birth of Cesar Chavez.  he was born in Arizona.  The family ended in California because of the depression.  Cesar Chavez worked in the fields with his family.  there was considerable hardship, and as a teenager Cesar and his sister would take people to the doctor as needed.  Otherwise the workers were without medical care.
Chavez with Dolores Huerta was instrumental in the organization of farm labor.  Their union became the United Farm Worker Union.  they employed many nonviolent initiatives for change.  Among this was a self imposed fast of 20 days.  The tactics also included boycotting of food, including the salad bowl boycott and the boycott of grapes.  At its highest the union boasted 50,000 members.  After his death the numbers decreased rapidly to only 15,000 a few years later.  During the Chavez years in the union they were active in fighting against immigration which tends to lower farm wages.  Chavez' actions were instrumental in fighting for civil and labor rights.  His motto, "Si se puede" was adopted by the Obama campaign.  (most of this article gleaned from Wikipedia)

Book Review: Determination: The Story of Jackie Robinson

Determination: The Story of Jackie Robinson, by Deborah Woodworth, illustrated by Robin Lawrie, The Child's World, North Mankota, Minnesota, 1999.
This is a very interesting story about the opening of Major League Baseball to African American players.  Jackie Robinson lived in an era of racial strife.  Even in Pasadena, California he was discriminated against at a lunch counter.  When he started playing baseball he had to put up with the most vile insults.  He had agreed not to respond for the first couple years, to assure that he would be able to continue to play.  He kept his agreement, but it was hard.  He had to often stay in a separate hotel than the rest of the players.  However he let his play do the talking.  His was got at all facets of the game, fielding, base running, and hitting.  His first year he was rookie of the year.  A couple years later he was MVP.  After his career he became a member of the Hall of Fame.  His ability to stick with the Dodgers lead to other African Americans being able to play.  He would call them and offer support.  Many players had a friend and mentor in Robinson.  My only complaint is one illustration has the wrong hand on top on the bat.  It is just strange.

Book Review: Jesse Owens: Olympic Hero

Jesse Owens: Olympic Hero by Francene Sabin, illustrated by Hal Frenck, Troll Associates, New Jersey, 1986.
I really enjoyed getting to know of Jesse Owens.  He was the son of a sharecropper.  However he did not at first participate in the family business because of his poor health.  He  often had respiratory issues.  At one time, he had a bad abscess on his leg, which his mother healed, as they could not afford doctors.  The owner of the share cropper land wanted to change the deal, and pay the family less.  As a result, the family sold everything they had, and moved to Cleveland, Ohio.  Here J.C. improved in health.  Here for the first time Jesse was able to attend school.  Jesse was born James Cleveland Owens.  He was known as J.C.  The first day of school he was shy, and when the teacher asked him his name, he said "J.C." but she heard Jesse, and wrote it down, and the name stuck.  Jesse was to shy to correct her.  It was at school, that the track coach noticed Jesse won all the races.  He wanted him on the team, but Jesse had to work after school.  The coach came early to school every day, as did Jesse, and in that way he was able to be on the track team.  He was running faster than everyone else.  In fact he set a high school record in the 100 yard dash.  Not only that, but he also competed in the broad jump (long jump) the 220 yard dash and the hurdles.  It was clear he would receive a scholarship, and many programs offered.  However Jesse did not feel he could leave his family.  They were still dependent on the money he made.  Ohio State at the time did not offer track scholarships.  However his coach negotiated with them for Jesse to attend, with the school arranging jobs for Jesse to attend.  They also found a steady job for his father.  At the National Collegiate championship of 1935 Jesse tied the record in the 100 yard dash, and set the record in the 220 yard hurdles and the broad jump.  This was a preview for the Olympic games of 1936, held in Berlin.  Jesse's first event was the broad jump qualifying.  The German's were sure their man, Lutz Long would win.  The Nazis ruled Germany at the time, who believed the Aryan race was superior to all others.  This gave Jesse added motivation.  However in the broad jump we struggled in the qualifying round.  With one jump remaining, he still had not qualified.  He had fouled on several jumps.  Long approached him and reminded him that he did not have to do his best jump, but just to qualify.  Long said he wanted Jesse to make the finals.  Jesse took his advice, and qualified.  He was impressed with the sportsmanship shown, and the two became good friends until Long's death in WWII.  When Long injured his leg making an excellent jump, Owens ran to him and massaged his leg.  Owens won the broad jump with a world record setting leap (which record lasted for 25 years).  He won four gold medals, broad jump, 100 met and 220 meter dashes, and the 4x100 relay which also set a world record.
Jesse Owens was an incredible man, and was able to stand up to great pressure competing in Berlin.

Jimmy Stewart ad It's a Wonderful Life

Here is a story I had not heard from the Wall Street Journal.  It's a Wonderful Life was released in 1946 just after WWII.  Bothe Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra, the director, were trying to reestablish themselves after serving during the war.  Jimmy Stewart as a squadron leader of B-24 bombers.  As  result of his service, Stewart was suffering from PTSD and wondering if acting was worth it; had the industry passed him by during the war.   Give the article a read as it is very interesting and insightful.

Article Review: So I Married a New York Times Bestselling Author (RaeAnne Thayne)

So I Married a New York Times Bestselling Author, by Jared Thayne, UtahState, Winter 2017.
RaeAnne Thayne writes romance novels, and has published several Christmas Romances.  However I am not really into romance, and I must admit I have not read any of her noels that I remember.  However what is intriguing about her story, as told by her husband, is her devotion to her second child, a boy born three weeks early and with serious complications.  He was born in 1997.  He has endured 35 surgeries and medical procedures in his 19 years.  He does not speak, is 100-percent G-J tube fed, suctioned regularly, non-mobile when away from his wheel chair.  He also has a pump and catheter implanted into his stomach to provide continuous muscle relaxing medications.  However he is unable to say where he hurts.  RaeAnne has become fairly adept at narrowing things down.  Still so his care is difficult, and RaeAnne's back can attest to this.  It takes over an hour to get him ready in the morning.
Jared considers RaeAnne an angel; a far more gifted mother and caregiver than New York Times bestselling author.  She keeps detailed records of his medical procedures and medications.  She has been with him in the hospital many times, and knows precisely when to slip in her own shower.  It would seem their son would be a burden, but Jared says he has also brought good into their lives.  This includes friendships and neighbors, boys who volunteer to push his wheel chair, neighbors willing to help out, or lifting or whatever.  Often their are meals made, and neighbors willing to care for the boys.  "Peace and strength can be found among daily challenges.  RaeAnne feels that caring for their son has made her writing more "rich and compassionate".

Biographical Documentary: Natalie Wood: Too Young to Die

This documentary was a look at the life of Natalie Wood.  It mentioned the controversy surrounding her death, but did not dwell on this, rather focused on her life.  Wood was an actress who was able to go from child star, to adult super star.  This does not happen very often.
She was born of Russian immigrants, Natasha Zakharenko,, and Natalie Wood was her stage name.  She would later name her daughter Natasha.  As a child star, she portrayed the girl who doubts Santa Clause in the "Miracle on 34th Street."  She was often cast as a daughter in films, and was in more than 20 films as a child.  Her mother also promoted her, and taught her how to get rolls by endearing herself to directors or actors.  The documentary shows several excerpts of a childhood friend, who always stayed close to Wood.  His insights were very good, and told how entering the movie business meant several changes she Wood did not necessarily like, name change, residence change etc.  She grew up on studio food and schooling.
Wood's life had some tragedy.  She was raped at age 16 by someone posing as a producer.
However making the transition to adult films required some manipulation.  She was in a car accident, and got a policeman to call her a juvenile delinquent.  Through this she was cast in the teen film "Rebel Without a Cause" with James Dean.  In this roll she won an academy award for best supporting actress.  This was here coming of age movie.
Wood would continue to have problems with relationships.  It was rumored she had relations with directors.  She married Robert Wagner.  And divorced him when she discovered him in bed with another man.  There was a time she only felt she could talk to her analyst.  She even turned down roles which would take her away.
She then married producer Richard Gregson and had her first daughter.  She married when she overheard an inappropriate conversation he had with his secretary.
She would remarry Robert Wagner and they also had a daughter together.  The remained together until her death in 1981.  She drowned.  From a young age Wood had a fear of water, and did not swim.  Somehow she fell from their boat off Catalina Island.

Book Review: Picasso: Museo Picasso de Barcelona

Picasso: Museo Picasso de Barcelona, text by Xavier Costa Clavell, photographic reproductions by Editorial Escudo de Oro, Editorial Escudo de Oro, seventh edition.  This book, written in Spanish, portrays artwork as well as the history of Pablo Picasso.  Born in 1881, in Malaga, Spain, Picasso was drawing and painting before 1890.  Most of his early work was drawings.  However his work was always very advanced.  He had an eye for seeing things clearly.  While he was approaching finals in 1894, his younger sister passed away.  This may have contributed to his entering a blue period of painting.  Much of his work began as sketches, before becoming paintings.  He was in full swing in the blue period by 1901.  From there he moved to a pink period.  In 1906 his style of painting changed again.  This change had French influences.  He began trying to paint more than just a physical representation of things, but began to add interpretation to his painting.  From this he eventually entered into Cubism.  Picasso, also entered an era of pottery and then finally sculpture.
The life of Picasso was influenced by war, and he in fact for a time joined the communist party.  However he was patriotic to country.

American Biography: Buffalo Bill Cody

Buffalo Bill's life spanned a significant period in the West.  He went from the "Wild West" with Buffalo hunts and Indian fights, to portraying the nostalgia for the West after this period had past.  His first trip west was with the army and the Utah War.  He also served in the Civil War for the Union.  He gained his knick-name by participating in the U.S. policy of ridding the plains of the buffalo, and forcing the Indians to change their nomadic life style.  He killed 69 buffalo in one day, and over 4000 in an 18 month period.  He was involved in the Indian Wars, and killed and scalped Cheyenne Chief Yellow Hair, "The first scalp for Custer." he said.
In 1883 Buffalo Bill decided to create a new kind of entertainment, a spectacle of the Old West.  He started with the Wild West, Rocky Mountain and Prairie Exhibition.  He quickly graduated to his famous Wild West Show.  His show would have a cast of hundreds, cowboys and Native Americans.  He would entertain through out the United States and Europe.  He would entertain dignitaries and royalty, allowing them to ride the stage coach when it was robbed.  His company included Sitting Bull, Annie Oakley, Will Rogers, Iron tail, Mexican Joe, Be Ho Gray, Dr. D.W. Carver and many others.
More than anyone else, Buffalo Bill created the sense of what the Wild West was like.  He show influenced opinion and knowledge on the history of the West.

American Biography: Kit Carson

Kit Carson ran the gamut as far as his own history.  He was a Mountain Man, scout and guide for the military, fought in the Mexican American War and the Civil War, and was an Indian fighter and Indian advocate.  He was born in 1809 and lived 59 years.  He left home at age 16.  He traveled west with a fur harvesting expedition.  He joined John C. Fremont in exploring and mapping the Oregon Trail and parts of California.  Fremont and Carson would save each other several time from Indians.  He also saved Fremont and his company from starvation when they were caught in the snow.   Again with Fremont he was instrumental in the American uprise in California which lead to California being liberated from Mexico and becoming part of the United States.  He then served as a scout for General Kearney.  He was appointed agent for the Ute and Jicarilla Apache Indians.  Carson led Union forces in New Mexico against the Confederate.  He then carried on fight Native Americans in the area, Kiowa, Apache, Navajo and Comanche.  He became the commanding force in fighting the Navajo and their forced march.  His commanded officer, general James Carleton declared that the Indians must be beat and forced to move.  And on point Carson resigned his commission; but he took it up again.  He didn't attack their warriors, but their food supplies, starving them out.  Kit Carson became a man of legend in the adventure stories written about him.  After subduing the Navajo, he was promoted to general, and put in charge of calming the Kiowa, Comanches and Cheyennes.  Carson ended up in a situation similar to Custer's Last Stand.  His scouts underestimated the force against him, and the risked being engulfed.  Carson used two howitzers and back fires to keep the Indians at bay, and his men were able to make their escape.  The Kiowa call this the time they repelled Kit Carson.
Carson had three wives, and ten children.  His first wife he one after defeating a French Man in a duel at a rendezvous.  He was forcing himself on her, and Carson took offense.  Her name was Singing Grass.  She died giving birth to his second daughter.  His first daughter was raised by his sister.  He then married a Cheyenne woman but she left him to travel with her people.  He then married a Mexican woman.  He became Catholic to marry her, and they had 8 children together.
Kit Carson became one of the most revered men in the United States.  More than 50 novels were written about him.  However Carson was never one to be overly proud of himself.  He passed away just a month after his wife due to heart problems.

American Biography: Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley is known for her sharpshooting skills.  She was amazing with a gun.  As a young woman, she supported her family by hunting.  She would supply several local restaurants with fresh game, and was able to support her family.  When she was 15 she won a shooting contest with proclaim sharpshooter Frank Butler.  Butler knew a good thing, so he married her.  He promoted her above himself, and in a few years Oakley and Butler became part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show.  She paid off her mother's mortgage on the farm.  (Her father had passed away.)  Annie was only five feet tall.  Sitting Bull, who also traveled with the show for a time, befriended Oakley and called her Watanya Cicilla meaning Little Sure Shot.  She traveled all over the United States with the show, and even to Europe.  In 1901 she was in a train accident, and was recovering for some time.  She had five operations on her back.  She left the Wild West Show opting for quieter more peaceful show.  She was in a play written for her call "The Western Girl."  Some of the shooting tricks Oakley performed include shooting a hole in a dime, shooting a cigarette in her husband's mouth and shooting over her shoulder using a mirror.  There were other women sharpshooter, but none had the style and grace of Annie Oakley.  In 1904 a story was published in the Randolph Hearst newspapers claiming Oakley was addicted to cocaine.  Oakley sued for libel and won.  The Butlers never really settled down.  They preferred living in motels or resorts.  
Excerpts taken from WIkipedia and Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies: the Real West by David Fisher.