A peculiarity of history is how some are remembered, often for minor accomplishments, whileothers are completely ignored, despite incredible achievements.

Jack Slade is a mostly forgotten contributor to our past despite single-handedly maintaining the most difficult section of the Overland Trail, suppressing Indian uprisings and bandit attacks, and being instrumental in the success of the Pony Express.

Slade was a brutal, no nonsense man, equally capable with guns and fists. That his story is not celebrated, much less remembered, is odd, perhaps the result of violent alcoholism or hisunfortunate ending.