Elkhorn returns with a new episode, “Rustlers,” airing on INSP on April 25, 2024. This time the focus is on Theodore Roosevelt’s early experiences as a cattleman and the challenges he faced in establishing his ranch in the Dakota Badlands.
Roosevelt’s efforts to become a successful rancher are threatened when he is accused of rustling cattle by a neighbouring rancher. With his reputation on the line, Roosevelt must work with his men to capture the real thief and recover the stolen livestock.
The story unfolds in the late 1880s, shortly after Roosevelt’s arrival in the Dakota Territory. Roosevelt, a former New York politician, had ventured west following personal tragedies, including the death of his wife and mother. He established the Elkhorn Ranch, determined to remake himself into a cattleman.
The Dakota Badlands, known for their rugged and desolate nature, presented Roosevelt with a challenging environment. He hired Bill Sewall and Wilmot Dow, two Maine woodsmen, to run the ranch. Roosevelt’s enthusiasm for frontier life and his desire to immerse himself in the western lifestyle are evident in his decision to become a rancher.
Elkhorn airs on INSP at 9.00 pm on Thursday, April 25, 2024.