The popularity of dime novels in the late 1800's greatly exaggerated the bloodshed in the west. A lot of our 'history' was manufactured by writers looking to sell a book or a story. For example - you might be familiar with Nez Perce Chief Joseph's famous surrender speech when he said "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever". Fake. That was written by an army major for an article he wrote for Harpers magazine.
