He was born into slavery in Arkansas, 1849, the year of the gold rush. As a boy Isom developed his talents for foraging for confederate soldiers during the Civil War. After the war he traveled Texas and Mexico and worked as a rodeo clown. Isom tried his hand at prospecting and bronco busting. There were few men who understood horses better than Isom. He was respected amongst local Cowboys and could outride any of them but never entered a contest. Isom joined the Gault gang and one day while he was burying a friend who had been kicked to death by a horse, the rest of the Gault gang were ambushed and killed. Isom survived by hiding in the grave along with his dead buddy. Yes they called him a rustler but he was always helpful and a good man.

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