De Colonel & the Outlaw Trail (An Interview-08)

Interview W/Colonel Bain

Great Falls MT chosen city for Historian Books

 

 1800 Old West Historian & Author Colonel R. H. Bain of Plentywood Montana is pleased to announce that he will be printing his second book called “The Killing of the Musgave Kid” in Great Falls Montana. Here is a recent interview with Colonel Bain.

 

Q. Hello Colonel. My first question is, are you military?

A. No, although I have been “Colonel Aid-de-Camp” for a few governors, I use the term Colonel as a journalistic, humorist and recognizable trademark. I am also a Professional Auctioneer by trade; many auctioneers are also called Colonels.

 

Q. Tell us about your coming book, my understanding it about NE Montana history and the Outlaw Trail? Is it 1800 history?

A.  Yes the book is a five act historical play of an incident that occurred in 1896, near current day Scobey, Montana. The Outlaw Trail runs out of Southern Saskatchewan, Canada, then just west of Scobey Montana and snakes it way down the western United States. The Outlaw Trail like the Bandito Trail finally crossing the border at El Paso, Texas. It ends up down at the many Spanish missions in the area.

 

Q. You mentioned Outlaw Trail, which most Montana citizens are aware of, but then you say Bandito Trail, Why? Isn’t this the same trail?

A. Yes and No, The Outlaw Trail wasn’t always the safest path in southern Colorado and Nuevo Mexico. The bandito travelers, which are the Mexican and Spanish speaking vaqueros, used alternative routes because they loved northeastern New Mexico. It was inhabitated by their families, Indians for centuries and had an enchanted way of life. Many of these area inhabitants didn’t speak very much English, and the uneducated Spanish-speaking bandit was no different. The Bandito Trail therefore broke off toward the lawless country of Las Vegas and Old Liberty, New Mexico. It had the same destination as it made its way through Lincoln County on its way to Mexico.

 

Q. How long has it taken you to write this book Colonel Bain?

A. Its taken over three years in Montana, research of Outlaw history and how it fit in with the many years  Probably 25 years. I have postponed two other western books *Douglas* & *Trails of the Heart* that will come out after this one gets printed.

 

Q. So tell me Colonel your not originally from Montana are you?

A. I was born the ancient City of Holy Faith called Santa Fe. New Mexico.  My up bringing was in the eastern plains of northern New Mexico. I am a descendant of Monroe, Charles and John Thomas Bain founders of Bainville, Montana. Sitting Bison  (Tatanka Iyotake) is also a distant relative. I have been living in Plentywood Montana for the past four years. I just love it.

 

Q. So you consider yourself a Montana Cowboy?

A. Yes

 

Q. You have chosen the City of Great Falls, Montana to print your books is there a reason why?

A. Yes, I considered El Paso, Texas, Santa Fe and also Williston, North Dakota, as possible locations to print. But water is life, the Missouri River Country is my home, and Great Falls seems like the flowing heart of Montana’s 1800 History. Litho-Printing and the Cady families ancestors  are in the Old West Books. My coming books confirm pioneer stories from the settling of the Old West, I do not do fiction. The Books will be a Montana home read product for many years to come.

 

Q. How did you get the book’s title The Killing of the Musgave Kid? Was there really such a historical person Colonel Bain?

A. Yes, the fun play reveals a real outlaw named Magalito Parras who Tom “Black Jack” Ketchum named the Musgave Kid in Old Liberty. The play is based on historical fact and was modified for Scobey’s Pioneer Town. We hope theaters and schools can reenact the gun battle that led to the killing of the Musgave Kid. The Kid and Jimmy “Slick” Dawson were secretly hired gunslingers by Valley County Constable Joe Horn. Horn arrived with stolen gold into Culbertson, Montana to help build Northeastern Montana. The Blind Pig Dugout was an Outlaw Trail Roost where the Musgave Kid met his demise.

 

Q. Last question Colonel Bain; will the book be available here in Great Falls and on line?

A. Yes, and when the web site is up, it can be purchased on line. I was called somewhat notorious in my area, which I though was delightful, at least I know they have noticed LOL. Buy Books ..I trust in the Creator to guide my path.

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