100 Rumours to Hear in the Wild West

This is a collection of rumours that could be heard in the American Old, or Wild, West. They are suitable for historical campaigns from that era, of whatever type, or to use in a similarly themed campaign. The rumours have a strong influence from media portrayals of that time period, rather than being purely historical in nature. Elements such as proper names can be changed for different styles of campaign and real-life locations can be added as well, tying the rumours to specific places.

The rumours could be used as a source of background colour that characters hear in the local saloon, or they could be used as a source of potential adventure hooks.

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Here are some sample results:

• Old Todd has been in town buying a lot of supplies. He's lived on his own for years now, yet he's apparently been buying far more than a single man would need. Speculation is running rife, as to whether Todd has suddenly got more mouths to feed, and no-one knows who they might be, seeing as he has no living relatives, whether he's planning on heading out somewhere or whether he's simply stockpiling goods. Although why he would need to do that no-one knows.
• Outlaws have moved into an abandoned town a day or two's travel to the south. They have apparently taken it over, and fortified it to use as a base from which to raid other settlements. Folks are talking about getting a group together to pry the gang out before they become too deeply wedged to shift without the army's help.
• Outlying settlements have been attacked and destroyed recently. None of them were particularly large, generally only a ranch or holding, but a few where several dwellings were clustered together have been destroyed. The settlements appear to have been plundered of everything of value, and all who lived in them killed, then the buildings torched. There doesn't seem to be any sign of who might be responsible for the attacks, but residents of other settlements are asking for help.
• Pinkertons have arrived in town recently. There are two agents and it seems they have been sent to catch a fugitive. Given this, it's rather odd that they are being evasive as to precisely what they are doing; it's hard finding someone if you are reluctant to disclose exactly who you are looking for.
• Pioneers are passing through on a wagon train. They're a strange bunch, looking to set up well away from other people. Some have said that they are a bunch of religious oddballs who weren't welcome where they were currently living, and have set out to find somewhere they could practice their religion without approbation.

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