The Mendota Gunslinger? The Story of Texas Jack.

Today we tell a story with echoes of the Wild West…along with a twist! We unravel the mysterious life of Jack Vermillion of Mendota, Virginia, a man who many say once walked the dusty streets of Tombstone, Arizona, alongside the legendary Earp brothers.
Join hosts Steve Gilly and Rod Mullins as they journey through the tangled tales of a figure many believed to be the notorious Texas Jack Vermillion!
Was the Jack Vermillion laid to rest in Mendota the same man who earned his fame in the deserts of Arizona?
Be sure to subscribe to join us on this exploration of the history of this place we call home, Appalachia.
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#podcast #TexasJackVermillion #WyattEarp #OldWestLawmen #AmericanWest #Methodism #WildWestFolklore #AppalachianStories #StoriesOfAppalachia

[@cherylmoore3349]

Interesting story thanks ❤

[@conniehughes2532]

Well the story burst the bubble of the family we've been told for years and years that my husband was distantly related on the huge side of the family to Texas Jack

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

True, when that writer from Australia found those papers it was a shock, that’s for sure! A lot of folks fell like you..,

[@lawrenceterry9283]

The movie Wyatt Earp the one with Kevin Costner the beginning of that movie sounds awfully similar to the beginning of Texas jack where his young wife died!

[@johnbyington3458]

At some point before and after living in BSG, he lived in Gate City (Estelville).

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

I didn't see that bit of info...thanks!

[@castironskilletgranny]

Soapy Smith supposedly got his name because of one of his cons. He sold soap with money prizes inside. Went from town to town selling this soap

[@StoriesofAppalachia]

You've taught me something I didn't know...a very original con, indeed!

[@hauntedmoodylady]

I've read of Soapy Smith, I never gave any thought to how he came by his name..

[@michaelcampbell3172]

That's true, but only the first bar of soap contained money, which obviously the con-man working with Smith would buy the soap containing money. Prompting others to buy the soap at inflated prices in hopes of winning money. That's why he's known as Soapy Smith.

[@nat-fp1pq]

There is a bar in Fairbanks Alaska called Soapy Smiths :)