Went by the name of no names, that is to say he never attended to a single identity. Some historians have since stated that it is possible that over time he was confused with another Wild Bunch member, Kid Curry, who was without a doubt the most dangerous member of the gang, having killed many lawmen and civilians during his lifetime before being killed himself. Some gunslingers, such as Bat Masterson, actively engaged in self-promotion. The James boys ran for there lives when a bunch of townspeople started shooting, and the Youngers did fight back but were shot to pieces. They may not have dressed like Clint Eastwood, with a holster slung low on the hips, but these gunmen made names for themselves nonetheless. Two-Gun Kid is another comic book gunfighter from Marvel Comics. In 1884, Miller shot John Thomas Coop, his sisters husband, in the head after an argument. Blevins refused and tried to close the door. "His mind calculated he was kind of like a quarterback when the defense moves on you, and you have to calculate, 'What's my backup plan, here?' He was both more or less friendly and viciously, lethal if tempted. Of his long life he was a policeman a total of about 35 months. In the 1880s, Horn made a name for himself as a scout and tracker, and was responsible for the arrest of many feared criminals. In fact, the faster draw generally misses, and therefore gets killed.". William H. Bonney or just Billy the Kid, started his life of crime with petty theft and horse thievery, but is said to have first killed a man at the age of eighteen. [21][25] Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt quarreled over cards and decided to have a gunfight. The two were then heard speaking in low voices. Sometimes, however, just to make things "official", they would go through the formality of deputization. So whats the title of the book and when was it published (and by whom)? He was in trouble from the age of16 for stealing horses and was in and out of prison. In eight months Sheriff Owens had rid Apache County of two notorious gangs of rustlers and killers. [33], The most famous and well-recorded duel occurred on 21 July 1865, in Springfield, Missouri. [10] Earp expressed his dismay about the controversy that followed him his entire life. In turn, the cowboy called upon 80 of his associates to murder Baca. "He called it deliberation," says Dunham, who also serves as president of the Wild West History Association. Also unlike the movies: Wyatt Earp wasn't even wearing a holster at the O.K. Stoudenmire had a reputation for being tough and short-tempered when he was drinking. Real gunslingers did not shoot to disarm or to impress, but to kill. The most famed gun slinger was actually a slow draw. Wyatt Earp has no business on this list whatsoever. Hardin rode with outlaw Frank Polk in Navarro County until Polk was arrested for murder. To imply that Wyatt Earp backed down Clay Allison ( And before that Ben Thompson) both\ Often their reputation was as much "self-promotion" as anything else; such was the case of Bat Masterson. No Kid Curry? He killed some six people in two days and then wounded eight more. smarter and tougher than any of them!!!!!! All told, Billy the Kid is said to have killed a total of 21 men, one for each of the years of his life, though this number is often regarded as inaccurate and exaggerated. When they were about 50 yards apart, both men drew their guns. He in turn killed 4 of them and wounded 8. Henry McCarty, a.k.a. 15 of the most infamous and deadly gunslingers in history (15 Photos), Known for his unpredictable personality and violent temper, Clay Allison was a gunfighter who is remembered as one of the deranged outlaws of the Old West. From what I have gathered, many of the gunfighters were violent racists, and a significant number of their victims were former slaves who wanted to vote. This is the Ned Christie posse. William H. Bonney, was born in 1859 in New York City to Patrick McCarty and Catherine Devine. Thus he ultimately became known as one of the most feared lawmen in Texas. Reformed form his years behind bars, Hardin began studying law and even passed the bar, but his old reputation eventually caught up with him. Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid both wore badges as lawmen at least once. His gravestone is said to read: Clay Allison. Ike Clanton panicked as well and ran towards Wyatt pleading for his life. The well-worn picture we have of a Wild West gunfight a tension-filled standoff in the middle of a dusty street, often at high noon, won invariably by the man who unholsters his gun more quickly than his opponent is largely fiction. The body count of 44 for John Wesley Hardin was all from the recorded names of lawmen and two individuals he was actually convicted of killing not the uinknown total of others who stood in his way. Fourteen-year-old Willie Nickell was found murdered; a month later his father, Kels, was killed and most of his stock was slaughtered. Some historians have reasoned that he may have had a hand in as many as 50 murders. [79] Another well-known video game Western protagonist is John Marston from Red Dead Redemption, who was nominated for 2010 Spike's Video Game Awards, as well as his friend Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2. [9] Gunfights could be won by simple distraction or pistols could be emptied as gunmen fought from behind cover without injury. I do find this hard to believe. When in the 1920s he was approached by Author Sturat Lake who wrote the ficionalized book, Wyatt Earp, Frontier Marshal. It didnt happen. Overall great info though thanks! The group was unfazed by their new classification as bandits, and proceeded to go on a killing spree, gunning down three people in the course of just three days, including a sheriff and his deputy. A few days after the fight, friends of the men Stoudenmire had shot hired the town drunk to assassinate him. Following his resignation, he developed a reputation as a killer for hire, and is said to have been responsible for the deaths of some 20 cattle rustlers over the course of several years. In 1869, Hickok was elected sheriff of Ellis County Kansas, and is said to have killed two men in his first month on the job. Our newest biography website and YouTube channel. Fisher is alleged to have clubbed the nearest one to him with a branding iron, then as a second drew a pistol Fisher drew his own pistol and shot the man, killing him. Opinions very, however I guess there will never be any way to document w who was really the fastest and then the most accurate. They followed them to the horse barn and witnessed the hanging. After more killings over the next three years, Hardin was captured by the Texas Rangers and sentenced to25 years at Texas State Prison in Huntsville. King Fisher. According to Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp was one of the few men I personally knew in the West in the early days whom I regarded as absolutely destitute of physical fear. John was known for carrying two pistols in holsters strapped to his chest, which enabled him to be one of the fastest guns in history. The most famous of these is undoubtedly the Gunfight at the O.K. Well, Little Bill never met Bob Munden, the man who the Guinness Book of World Records calls the "Fastest Man with a Gun Who Ever Lived." what about Ned Kelly Longabaugh was reputed to be the best shot and fastest gunslinger of the Wild Bunch, a group of robbers and rustlers who ranged through the Rocky Mountains Doc Holliday was able to speak Latin and French pretty good. Reeves was born into [9][12] These duels were first recorded in the South, brought by emigrants to the American Frontier as a crude form of the "code duello," a highly formalized means of solving disputes between gentlemen with swords or guns that had its origins in European chivalry. [citation needed], The Long Branch Saloon Shootout, involving Levi Richardson, a buffalo hunter, and "Cockeyed Frank" Loving, a professional gambler, happened on April 5, 1879. [69] He also wore his holster low on, and tied to, the thigh with a cutaway for the trigger. Years later, I found out that Arness was known to be horribly slow at drawing a gun and was filmed many times before he could "beat" the gunslinger to the draw. After the murder of his brother Morgan, he went on that vengeance ride where killed at least one person. Hickok was supposedly holding a pair of Aces and Eights at the time, a combination now known as the Dead Mans Hand., Known for his mercurial personality and violent temper, Clay Allison was a gunfighter who is remembered as one of the most notorious and downright deranged outlaws of the Old West. Although not as well known as someone like Wild Bill Hickok or Wyatt Earp, Dallas Stoudenmire was a feared lawman in his day, and is known for participating in more gunfights than most of his contemporaries. But he killed all the way from back east to the west coast. [80] The New York Times stated: "he and his creators conjure such a convincing, cohesive and enthralling re-imagination of the real world that it sets a new standard for sophistication and ambition in electronic gaming. Biographics History, One Life at a Time. Corral. [21] However, face-to-face fast draw shootouts did occur in the real West. A sharpshooter when she was still a young woman, she engaged in After moving to El Paso, Texas, to serve as sheriff, he killed three men before the end of his third day in the Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight.. In many cases, the term gunfighter was applied to constables. But when his gun bumped the table as he drew, Allison reacted by shooting Colbert in the head. The Western hero usually stands alone and faces danger on his own, commonly against lawlessness, with an expert display of his physical skills (roping, gun-play, horse-handling, pioneering abilities, etc.). I think he deserves a place here. Mose Roberts, boarding with the family, jumped out of a side window with a pistol. He's a dead man walking. obviously the worst shot in the west very few(If any ) fatalities. Here are10 of the most well-known. In a relatively short life, famed outlaw and gunslinger John Wesley Hardin established himself as easily the most bloodthirsty figure of the Old West, and is credited with the deaths of no less than 42 people. Doesnt add up so your story cant be true. Others deserved the reputation associated with them. There were many better career policemen than Wyatt Earp. [59] A good example was the 1882 decision by the El Paso, Texas, town council to dismiss Town Marshal Dallas Stoudenmire. He probably embellished in his book, just to make things sound interesting. I would outdraw him everytime and take much pride in myself. Allison fought for the Confederacy under Captain W. H. Jackson and General Nathan Bedford Forrest in the Civil War. [14], In Western movies, the characters' gun belts are often worn low on the hip and outer thigh, with the holster cut away around the pistol's trigger and grip for a smooth, fast draw. Long before holsters were steel-lined, they were soft and supple for comfortable all-day wear. Kid Curry killed no less 30 people. In 1899 the Earps went to Alaska during the Gold Rush and again opened a successful saloon. After his brother Morgan was killed in retaliation, Wyatt embarked on a mission to kill everyone associated with Morgans death. [53] At the same time, gunmen like Scott Cooley are all but unknown, when they actually led a life reflective of what most would consider a gunfighter to be. Thomas Horn, Jr. was born in Missouri on November 21, 1860 to Thomas S. Horn, Sr. and Mary Ann Maricha Miller Horn. No kidding, most famous gunslingers and outlaws, worked as lawmen, vigilantes, or regulators. Bob Munden, the worlds fastest gunslinger, was one of those special few. WebBob Munden is probably the fastest gunslinger to have ever lived, period. [25], In January 1887 Commodore Perry Owens took office as Sheriff of Apache County, Arizona. Earp and Holliday then led a team of gunfighters on what has become known as their Vendetta Ride, and they eventually killed several men connected with the murders before fleeing the territory. Gun Fighter. Fisher drew his guns but was shot13 times and killed. Probably not. The group called themselves the Regulators, but soon it gained its own reputation for violence, and its members were branded as outlaws. There's the gunfighter, frontiersman, classic cowboy, and duelist each with its own specifications. Johnny Ringo Tombstone Rowdy. The Earps weren't really expecting a gunfight. It is widely believed that the name Kid caused his exploits to be attributed to the Sundance Kid (who wasnt much of a gunfighter). John Ringo was a nobody that shouldn't even be on the same page as Earp or Holliday. After the conversation, Richardson drew his pistol, and Loving drew his in response. Doc Holliday only killed one man and that was at the Gunfight at the O. K. Corral. Allison fought for the Confederacy in the Civil War, but was discharged after a blow to the head started causing erratic behavior in him. A strong reputation was enough to keep others civil and often would spare a gunfighter from conflict. A+. [31] By the second half of the 19th century, few Americans still fought duels to solve their problems, and became a thing of the past in the United States by the start of the 20th century. Earp, as any Wild West buff knows, was in the center of the most famous street fight in American history. Corral, which occurred in 1881 when Earp, his brothers Morgan and Virgil, and friend Doc Holliday confronted a group of cowboys who had recently been arrested for robbing a stagecoach. Bank robbertom horn was an indian hunter and bounty hunter?? When the group was broken up by law-enforcement officers, the Kid escaped and shot a gambler in a New Mexico saloon. [1] The gunslinger's reputation often was as valuable as any skills possessed. The terms "gunslinger" and "showdown" were unknown in the Wild West. That 30-second throwdown, which came to be known as the Gunfight at the O.K. [48] He is often viewed as the central character and hero of the Gunfight at the O.K. They were often labeled as such due to one particular instance, which developed from rumors about them having been involved in many more events than they actually were. Often, the hero of a Western meets his opposite "double", a mirror of his own evil side that he has to destroy. While he served his time, Hardin studied religion and law, but he suffered from bad health. [1], Another classic bit of cinema that is largely a myth is the showdown at high noon, where two well-matched gunslingers agree to meet for a climactic formal duel. Just one example of Jesse Jamess skill was when he shot one of his gang who had fired at him while they were riding at speed. Jim Killer Milller ( supposed killer of Pat Garrett), no I dont believe he should be among the ranks. Yasuhiro Nightow is known for creating the space Western Trigun. On the contrary, in cases where two men held a similar reputation, both would avoid confrontation with one another whenever possible. Fifteen-year-old Samuel Houston Blevins ran out the front door, with his brother's revolver, and yelled "I'll get him." [citation needed], Mythology and folklore often exaggerate the skills of famous gunfighters. Although many of his exploits are legendary, probably the most famous aspect of Wild Bills life is his death, which occurred in Deadwood, South Dakota in 1876. [3] Others, like Billy the Kid, were notorious bandits, and still others were lawmen like Pat Garrett and Wyatt Earp. After his troops took down the remaining outlaw, Patton tied the three dead men to the hood of his touring car and drove the bodies back to his commanding officer. After all most of these guys lived over a century ago. This type of holster is a Hollywood anachronism. No Jesse James in your list?! But Billy rushes his shot and misses.". There were also a few historical cowboys who were actual gunfighters, such as the Cochise County Cowboys who participated in the bloody 1879 Skeleton Canyon massacre. Wyatt moved to California and married Josephine Marcus in 1882. Many shootouts involving lawmen were caused by disputes arising from these alternative occupations, rather than the lawman's attempts to enforce the law. The mob formed in front of the Free Masons hall and walked to the jail two blocks away. While many of the deaths attributed to these gunmen were committed within the scope of the law, folklore and stories as to the number of people they each killed continue to add to their mystique. Gunfighters, also called gunslingers ( / nslr / ), or in the 19th and early 20th centuries gunmen, were Actually, Hardin walked away but was later confronted by Bradley, who shot at Hardin and missed. The dumb guy fired and hit Jesses hat and then paid the ultimate price for missing! [citation needed], It is often difficult to separate lawmen of the Old West from outlaws of the Old West. One of the most downright murderous figures of the Old West, Jim Killer Miller was an assassin and gunfighter who is credited with killing at least 14 people, though legend has it that the number is somewhere closer to 50. The group went on a killing spreekilling three people within three days, including a sheriff and a deputy. [52] Clay Allison and Ben Thompson had well-deserved reputations. Haha. In 1880, Allison relocated to Mobeetie, Texas, where he met and married America Medora Dora McCulloch. While there he left for periods while he went to Deadwood and another time to Texas. The hitman Anton Chigurh from No Country for Old Men shares many elements of a hunted outlaw. [5], Often, the term has been applied to men who would hire out for contract killings or at a ranch embroiled in a range war where they would earn "fighting wages". He met an unimpressive death when he fell from his wagon and broke his neck in 1887. No business my buddie eyeball?! Owens shot his rifle from his hip through the door, hitting Andy Blevins in the stomach. This only marked the beginning of what would be a bloody campaign for Stoudenmire as sheriff. They were a typically diverse and motley group of Gold Rush bandits: two Americans, one Frenchman, two Britons, five Sydney Ducks, and four Mexicans. Johnny Ringo built a reputation as a gunslinger while never taking part in a gunfight or killing unarmed civilians. It's "High Noon." Just because Wyatt Earp was a lawman doesn't mean he wasn't involved in a lot of gunfights. Tops, Masterson said, is a steely will and the ability to use that to your advantage. [70], Jonah Hex, from DC Comics, is a ruthless bounty hunter bound by a personal code of honor to protect and avenge the innocent. Among them was civilian Billy Dixon, who made one of the longest recorded sniper kills, by shooting an Indian off his horse almost a mile away with his Sharps rifle, during a standoff in the Second Battle of Adobe Walls. In 1871, Hardin was arrested for the murder of Texas marshal Laban John Hoffman, but he escaped after killing another police officer, Jim Smalley. Slashing with his heavy Bowie, he killed them both. John King Fisher was born in 1853 in Texas, to Jobe and Lucinda Warren Fisher. To prevent gunfights from happening, many cities in the American frontier, such as Dodge City and Tombstone, put up a local ordinance to prohibit firearms in the area. He entered the council hall and dared the councilors to try to take his guns or his job, at which point they immediately changed their mind, saying he could keep his job. William Pinkerton, whose National Detective Agency had sought to capture Hedgepeth and his gang for years, noted that Hedgepeth once gunned down another outlaw who had already unholstered his pistol before Hedgepath had drawn his revolver. He once told someone that the only times he wasn't nervous was when he was working on teeth or killing somebody. After one of the gang turned informant, Bass and his men were ambushed by Texas Ranger Sergeant Richard Ware and Ranger George Herold in Round Rock, Texas, where the gang attempted to rob the Williamson County Bank. Who can say what is truly accurate here? [13] Ed McGivern dispelled the myth of the inaccuracy of pistol fanning by shooting tight groups while fanning the revolver. Unlike contemporary peace officers, these lawmen generally pursued other occupations, often earning money as gamblers, business owners, or outlawsas was the case with "Curly" Bill Brocius, who, while always referred to as an outlaw, served as a deputy sheriff under sheriff Johnny Behan. I live in Colorado where Doc is reportedly buried and he knifed a man to death in Denver over a card game (knife instead of gun because there were no guns allowed in Denver at the time.) The gunfighter is also one of the most popular characters in the Western genre and has appeared in associated films, video games, and literature. [26] Wounded and dying, Billy Clanton fired blindly into the gun smoke encircling him, striking Virgil's leg. After severalsuch robberies, Bass and his gang decided to rob the Union Pacific gold train from San Francisco, collectingmore than$60,000. IGN ranked Jonah Hex the 73rd greatest comic book hero of all time. THIS DAY IN HISTORY July 14 1882 July 14 Gunfighter John Ringo found dead John Ringo, the famous gun-fighting gentleman, is found dead in Turkey Creek Canyon, Arizona. He was buried on his ranch, and later his remains were moved to Pioneer Cemetery in Uvalde, Texas. (As a kid wearing my own Bill Hickock gunset on, every Saturday morning I'd await "Gunsmoke" to come on TV; then I would wait for Marshall Matt Dillon (actor James Arness) to start his draw at the show's intro. [31], The famous lawman Wyatt Earp gave an account of having participated in a duel once during his vendetta. It's Hollywood. Wyatt has been portrayed in a number of films and books as a fearless Western hero. Wyatt warp wasnt even a gunfighter to be honest. in a rare book in my library, written by Sheriff Pat Garret who killed Billy the Kid and was a personal friend of Wyatt Earp, he claimed that Doc Holliday started killing as a teen. WebIn the film Tombstone (1993), Doc Holliday was portrayed by Val Kilmer. I like the psychoanalytical approach which takes intellect clearly Garrett was smart if indeed he wrote this book (or even had it ghosted). In the saloon, Frank sat down at a long table, Richardson turned around and took a seat at the same table. propertag.cmd.push(function() { proper_display('toptenz_sticky_1'); }); 10 Unexpectedly Weird Ancestors of Animals Living Today, 10 Things You Thought Were Silent (But Actually Make Strange and Terrifying Noises), 10 Terrifyingly High Mortality Rate Statistics. The gunfight at the O.K. Ironically, some modern historians have claimed that on this particular occasion Horn was actually innocent. Hollywood has warped us to the point where somebody has to go full Rambo before we are impressed. In Docs profession ( Gambling, In the end the fight lasted only 30 seconds or so, with at least 20 shots being fired Billy Clanton and both McLaury brothers died. [1][10] For instance, the gunfight at the O.K. The group was eventually broken up by law enforcement, but the Kid managed to elude capture. Dodge City Marshal Charlie Bassett, who was in Beatty & Kelley's Saloon, heard the shots and came running. Some of his time in Dodge he was on the police force there. Captain Davis later described himself as being "in a fever of excitement at the time." But Hardin was forced to flee the city soon after his arrival when he is said to shot and killed a fellow guest at his hotel because the mans snoring was keeping him awake. At 25, Hardin was finally arrested by a team of Texas Rangers, and eventually served a total of 16 years in prison before being released at the age of 41. Hickok was playing poker when he was shot in the back of the head by a gambler named Jack McCall, supposedly in retaliation for a prior insult.