The Wild West?

[Romeo]

To watch old western movies.you'd think that every single small American town west of the Mississippi in the 19th century had gunslingers and showdowns. I'm sure it is greatly exaggerrated. Where can I find out the truth as opposed to the myth?

[Clanad]

That's a study in and of itself, but start here;

http://www.americanwest.com/

And here...

http://www.oldwesthistory.net/

[dothawkes]

Not checked those two links, but the History of The West on DVD narrated by Kris Kristofferson is excellent and uses authentic contemporary accounts which actually record how Wild it was for many people.