Back in Time Today
The American Old West was a period marked by lawlessness, rugged landscapes, and legendary figures who etched their names in history through audacious deeds and notorious reputations.
Among these figures were outlaws whose daring exploits and criminal endeavors captivated the public imagination.
In this blog post, we delve into the lives of 15 of the deadliest outlaws who roamed the Wild West, leaving behind tales of adventure and infamy.
1. Billy the Kid (William H. Bonney)
Billy the Kid, born Henry McCarty, epitomized the Wild West outlaw. Barely in his 20s, he claimed to have killed 21 men, though the number was likely closer to nine. His youthful audacity and defiance against authority made him a folk hero.
He rode across New Mexico, involved in cattle rustling and gunfights, always one step ahead of the law. Pat Garrett, a friend turned sheriff, eventually shot him dead.
The Kid’s life and death symbolize the tumultuous era of frontier justice and lawlessness in the American Old West.
2. Jesse James
Jesse James was a charismatic outlaw who led the infamous James-Younger Gang. His robberies, especially of banks and trains, became legendary. Born in Missouri, Jesse’s early years were marked by violence, influenced by the Civil War.
He gained a Robin Hood-like reputation among some, though his motives were far from altruistic. Jesse’s life was filled with betrayal, culminating in his assassination by a member of his own gang.
His legacy, romanticized in tales, reflects the brutal reality and allure of the outlaw lifestyle in the Old West.
3. Butch Cassidy (Robert LeRoy Parker)
Butch Cassidy, known for his leadership of the Wild Bunch, was a notorious train and bank robber. Born Robert LeRoy Parker, he hailed from Utah. His charm and wit made him a beloved figure, despite his criminal endeavors.
Butch’s strategy involved meticulous planning and non-violence whenever possible, earning him a reputation as a gentleman bandit. His partnership with the Sundance Kid was legendary.
The duo’s escapades took them as far as South America, where their fate remains a mystery. Butch’s life embodies the adventurous spirit of the American West.
4. Sundance Kid (Harry Longabaugh)
Harry Longabaugh, famously known as the Sundance Kid, was a key member of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch. He earned his nickname after serving time in Sundance, Wyoming. Known for his quick draw and daring heists, he became a legendary figure.
The partnership with Butch Cassidy led them to South America in search of a fresh start. Their camaraderie and exploits were romanticized in stories and films.
While the details of his death remain uncertain, Sundance Kid’s legacy as a Wild West icon endures, illustrating the blend of myth and reality that defines this era.
5. John Wesley Hardin
John Wesley Hardin was one of the most feared gunslingers of the Old West, claiming to have killed over 40 men. Born in Texas, his life was a whirlwind of violence and conflict. His temper and skill with a gun were unmatched.
After multiple run-ins with the law, Hardin spent time in prison, where he studied law. Paradoxically, he became an attorney after his release.
Hardin’s story is one of a complex character—both a ruthless killer and a man seeking redemption. His life captures the duality of lawlessness and justice in the frontier.
6. Sam Bass
Sam Bass was a notorious outlaw known for his train and stagecoach robberies. Born in Indiana, he ventured to Texas, where his criminal career flourished. Bass was known for his charisma and ability to evade capture.
His most famous heist was the Great Train Robbery in 1877, where he and his gang made off with $60,000. Despite his initial success, Bass’s luck ran out when he was mortally wounded in a shootout with Texas Rangers.
His story is a testament to the fleeting nature of fame and fortune in the Wild West.
7. Black Bart (Charles E. Bolles)
Charles E. Bolles, known as Black Bart, was a gentleman stagecoach robber infamous for his polite demeanor and poetic flair. He robbed Wells Fargo stagecoaches across California in the late 1800s, often leaving poetry at his crime scenes.
Despite his criminal activities, Black Bart never resorted to violence, which was unusual for outlaws of his time. His ability to vanish without a trace baffled law enforcement for years.
Eventually caught, his polite nature even softened his sentence. Black Bart’s life emphasizes the unique personalities that thrived in the American Old West.
8. Bill Doolin
Bill Doolin, founder of the Wild Bunch, was a notorious outlaw known for his bank and train robberies. Born in Arkansas, he migrated to the Oklahoma Territory, where his criminal empire thrived.
Doolin’s gang was a formidable force, often evading capture through sheer cunning. His life was a constant run from the law until he was finally ambushed and killed by a U.S. Marshal.
Doolin’s exploits illustrate the chaotic and often violent nature of the Old West, where outlaws like him became legends through their audacity and defiance.
9. Cole Younger
Cole Younger, a member of the notorious James-Younger Gang, was known for his daring bank and train robberies. Born in Missouri, his life of crime began after the Civil War. Younger was regarded for his loyalty and leadership within the gang.
Captured after a failed robbery in Minnesota, he served 25 years in prison, a sentence that marked the end of his outlaw days.
Cole’s life is a reflection of loyalty and the eventual consequences of a life of crime. His story is interwoven with the myths and realities of the American frontier.
10. Soapy Smith (Jefferson “Soapy” Smith)
Soapy Smith, born Jefferson Smith, was a master conman and gangster, notorious for his clever scams. Operating in places like Denver and Skagway, he built a criminal empire on deceit.
His nickname came from his soap scams, where he would sell soap bars with promises of hidden cash, though the prizes were rigged. Smith’s life ended in a gunfight, illustrating the perilous nature of his lifestyle.
His cunning and charisma made him a memorable figure in the annals of the Wild West, showcasing the diverse spectrum of outlaws during this era.
11. Kid Curry (Harvey Logan)
Kid Curry, born Harvey Logan, was a notorious member of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch. Known for his deadly gunfights and quick temper, he was one of the most feared outlaws of his time.
Curry’s criminal career included train and bank robberies, leaving a trail of violence across the West. Despite his ruthless reputation, he was a loyal member of the gang. His life ended in a dramatic shootout, a fitting conclusion to his tumultuous life.
Kid Curry’s story highlights the violent and unpredictable nature of outlaw life in the American West.
12. Curly Bill Brocius
Curly Bill Brocius, a cowboy turned outlaw, was notorious in Arizona for his criminal activities. His involvement in the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral cemented his place in Wild West history.
Brocius was known for his reckless nature and clashes with lawmen like Wyatt Earp. Despite numerous criminal charges, his charm often helped him escape severe punishment. His life ended in a gunfight, a common fate for outlaws of his era.
Curly Bill’s legacy is a testament to the chaotic and often lawless environment of the American West.
13. Belle Starr
Belle Starr, the “Bandit Queen,” was one of the few female outlaws in the Old West. Born in Missouri, she was known for her involvement with notorious criminals and her flair for style.
Belle’s life included cattle rustling and harboring fugitives, making her a notable figure in a male-dominated world of crime. Her mysterious murder added to her legend.
Belle Starr’s story is one of defiance and survival in the rugged landscape of the American frontier, illustrating the diverse characters that shaped the Wild West narrative.
14. Johnny Ringo
Johnny Ringo, a notorious gunslinger, was infamous for his violent nature and involvement in the Cochise County Cowboys gang. Born in Indiana, he moved westward, leaving a trail of chaos.
His life was marked by feuds with lawmen, including the Earp brothers. Ringo’s mysterious death in Arizona sparked numerous theories and adds to his mystique. His life and untimely demise reflect the perilous existence of outlaws in the Wild West.
Johnny Ringo’s story is a blend of fact and legend, embodying the dangerous allure of the frontier.
15. Dave Rudabaugh
Dave Rudabaugh, a lesser-known yet infamous outlaw, was rumored to have taught Billy the Kid how to handle a gun. His criminal pursuits included rustling and robbery.
Known for his cunning and survival skills, Rudabaugh was often pursued by lawmen across the frontier. He eventually met his end in Mexico, killed by local villagers.
Rudabaugh’s life was a constant escape from justice, reflecting the transient and dangerous lifestyle of outlaws. His story, though less celebrated, is an integral part of the colorful tapestry of the Wild West.