Sylvester Fowler’s firsthand account, “A Night in Trail City,” published in the Westmoreland Recorder in 1887, vividly depicts the lawless and debauched atmosphere of a boomtown fueled by the Texas cattle trade. The excerpt from Letters From Colorado: 1880-1889 by Kent Brooks provides context, explaining that Fowler’s letter is one of many personal accounts from Colorado settlers in the 1880s. These letters, published in newspapers and compiled in a book available on Amazon, offer insights into the daily lives, challenges, and aspirations of westward migrants, covering topics ranging from occupational pursuits to community events and the prevailing political and economic conditions. Fowler’s graphic description highlights the transient nature of such towns, contrasting the wild, violent nights with the imminent end of the cattle drives and the subsequent arrival of civilization. This Episode is brought to you by Golden Plains Insurance. Check out the full text of “A Night in Trail City in the December 18th issue of the Plainsman Herald.