WWHA Research Center

Print Olive

(February 7, 1840 - August 16, 1886)

Born Isom Prentice Olive, he was called Prent by his family. The name was transformed into Print over the years.

Print was loyal to his family and friends, but could be a hardcase for people who crossed or stole from him.

After serving in the Civil War, Print and his brothers rounded up wild longhorns and started ranching. Driving the herds north to Kansas was how Print Olive made his living. Wounding or killing rustlers was how Print protected his profit.

In one scenario, Print's brother Bob was killed by rustlers. Somehow Print managed to get these rustlers away from the county Sheriff and lynched both. Under mysterious circumstances, the bodies were found burned. A first trial for this killing sentenced Print Olive to life in prison, but a retrial one year later freed him.

Print Olive, however, never regained his former glory and fell in with the wrong people. On one fateful day, in a dispute over money, Print Olive was killed in Trail City, CO.

Print Olive is buried in the Maple Grove Cemetery in Dodge City, Kansas.

Print Olive grave

Gravesite Map

Information compiled by Steve Grimm

For more information on the Olive family, go here.

Books about Print Olive

The Ladder of Rivers by Harry E. Chrisman

This book has a little too much dialogue for my liking, but otherwise is a good history of the Olive Family. There are a lot of interesting photos, also.

The Olive Trial by Carl E. Smith

An interesting book describing the trial of Print Olive for the killing and burning of the rustlers. Information is from documented sources.