Strong evidence for the source's stated approach, not proof that each later correction is correct. Evaluate individual legends against their cited sources.
Methodological framing for using familiar Western stories as entry points into documentary history.
Courtney frames the book as a study of Whiskey Row's first thirty-six years and explicitly reports that some local legends survived documentary testing while others did not; he treats the process by which events became legends as historically significant.
Preface; supplied PDF sheet 9; ebook display page 7 of 145
Preface; supplied PDF sheet 9; ebook display page 7 of 145
Preface
Paraphrase checked against the rendered supplied PDF sheet 9. Ebook interface pagination is not printed pagination.
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Evidence
Courtney says the history is larger than a romantic journey into the Wild West. He describes testing legends against research, finding that some held up and others did not, and argues that the way events became legends is itself revealing.
Location and context
Preface; supplied PDF sheet 9; visible ebook indicator page 7 of 145. Use “Preface” as the public-facing locator.
Annotation
Supports a source-method lesson about evidence and public memory. Do not generalize this framing into validation of every narrative claim in the book.
Verification checklist
Verified means faithful source capture, not independent historical corroboration.