James Butler Hickok is one of the most famous gunmen of the Old West. He met an unimpressive death when he fell from his wagon and broke his neck in 1887. [56], Tom Horn, historically cited as an assassin, served both as a deputy sheriff and as a Pinkerton detective, a job in which he shot at least three people as a killer for hire. Unfazed, he stood his ground, pulling out both pistols and firing a barrage at the charging outlaws. 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. Killers friends managed to escape with him, only to find that he had been wearing a metal plate under his shirt, which had blocked all of Frazers bullets. 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. [9] Wild Bill Hickok popularized the butt-forward holster type, which worked better on horseback. And on that day, Earp was not the fastest gunslinger in town. [24], The Gunfight at the OK Corral is a famous example of a real-life western shootout, between the Earp Brothers together with Doc Holliday, and the Clanton-McLaury gang. Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was born in Warren County, Illinois, on March 19, 1848. In 1884, Fisher was ambushed and killed, along with Ben Thompson, by friends of a man whom Thompson had previously killed in a gun battle. 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. The shootout took less than one minute and made Owens a legend. sweet number onemy dad gave me the middle name of Wesley because of John Wesley Hardin. That afternoon, Earp, his brothers Virgil and Morgan, and Wyatt's friend John Henry "Doc" Holliday faced off against a rowdy group of outlaws known as the Cowboys; Billy Claiborne, brothers Ike and Billy Clanton, and brother Frank and Tom McLaury. Alll this info is interesting. Bartholomew Bat Masterson had made a living with his gun from a young age. He probably embellished in his book, just to make things sound interesting. After that, he was just a gambler and knockabout. [32] Writer Wyatt-Brown in his book "Southern Honor: Ethics and Behavior in the Old South" described dueling in the American frontier as a "custom", and was primarily used for teenage disputes, rise in rank, status, and scapegoating. [39] Richardson had developed some affection for Loving's wife Mattie, and the two began to argue about her. The outlaws' bullets tore at Davis's clothing but caused only two slight flesh wounds. Although many Old West legends have "fast gun" reputations, it appears that John Wesley Hardin, Wild Bill Hickok, Doc Holliday, and Billy the Kid were actually really I think he deserves a place here. Corral made legends of Wyatt Earp and the Cochise County Cowboys, but they were relatively minor figures before that conflict. ', "When it comes to gunfights, the idea is to stay alive, not necessarily draw fast. "Mexican War Vet Wages Deadliest Gunfight in American History", "What Are the Characteristics of the Western Genre? 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. In less than a year, he had killed six more men in gunfights while as sheriff. Fourteen-year-old Willie Nickell was found murdered; a month later his father, Kels, was killed and most of his stock was slaughtered. But the Dodge City gunfighter told Courtright to "go to Hell," and that he could do anything that was necessary to take care of his business. Wyatt Earp was famous mostly because he said, himself, that he was famous. Two years later, Miller tracked the Sheriff down and killed him with a shotgun. Gunfighter and lawman Frank Eaton, known as "Pistol Pete" lived into old age and gained further fame, before his death at age 97, by becoming the mascot for Oklahoma A&M College (now Oklahoma State University). [10] How famous gunfighters died is as varied as each man. And you don't get much more stress than when somebody's shooting at you.". He shot a man in the eye in Pisgah on a bet and killed a black man in Leon County, Texas. The list is missing Kid Curry/Harvey Logan. Well, I love that quote, regardless of where he fits on this list. Famed gunman Clay Allison died in a wagon accident. 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. Wyatt Earp searched for Ike Clanton in his vendetta, but never found him Ike moved north to Apache County to continue rustling cattle and killing. 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. Others deserved the reputation associated with them. Press Esc to cancel. Unlike other violence-themed gunslingers, Vash carries a Shane-like pacifist attitude, and avoids killing men, even dangerous enemies. Millers hanging was in 1909. The method actors portrayal of Holliday put the legendary gunslinger in the same league as the dark, brooding, and violent post-modern heroes of today. Murdering unarmed homesteaders from hiding was Tom Horns style. William H. Bonney, was born in 1859 in New York City to Patrick McCarty and Catherine Devine. Gordon then started shooting at him but missed. 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. They appear on a mission named "Gunfighters", and the player will act as Captain Brad "Hawk" Hawkins from 1st Aviation Regiment. Swarthout seems to have been correct about "gunslinger", but the term "gunfighter" existed in several newspapers in the 1870s, and as such the term existed in the 19th century. Hardin replied with a shot to Bradleys head and one to his chest. P S. Ive got dibs on the porn name John Wesley Hardon! [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. Wild Bill's armed presence caused the crowd to immediately scatter to the safety of nearby buildings, leaving Tutt alone in the northwestern corner of the square. 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. [51] Of the documented instances where Ringo killed men, they were unarmed, and there is no evidence to support his participation in a single gunfight. [15] Fast-draw artists can be distinguished from other movie cowboys because their guns will often be tied to their thigh. Portrait of American gunman Billy the Kid (18591881). Biographics History, One Life at a Time. In 1877, he was deputized during the so-called Lincoln County War and rode with lawmen who were seeking to arrest a group of corrupt businessman responsible for the murder of an innocent rancher. the OK Corral. The following month Hickok was acquitted after pleading self-defense. [25][38] Timothy Isaiah "Longhair Jim" Courtright was running the T.I.C. 19 May 2020. Two-Gun Kid is another comic book gunfighter from Marvel Comics. During the dust up there with the Clantons he was deputized for the incident. [13] Ed McGivern dispelled the myth of the inaccuracy of pistol fanning by shooting tight groups while fanning the revolver. Overall great info though thanks! He in turn killed 4 of them and wounded 8. After an argument with the other gang members, Fisher killed three of them, took over as the leader, and killed seven Mexican bandits. One of the most legendary figures of the Old West, Wild Bill Hickok was an actor, gambler, lawman, and gunfighter who was regarded as one of the most skilled gunslingers of his day. WebAnswer (1 of 10): No rifle of the period shot more often or as reliably as did the Winchester some models were capable of holding as many as 16 cartridges, but (I hate to admit) "[81] The main character Caleb in the video games Blood and Blood II: The Chosen is also a former Old West gunfighter. Corral, at least in part because he was the only one who was not wounded or killed. Several members of the prosecution and men who had testified against Miller were mysteriously killed. It's Hollywood. In fact , in Dodge the city leaders wanted to keep a fine a balance between wild and tame in order to keep the attraction of the Texas Cattle drives. Slashing with his heavy Bowie, he killed them both. Probably not. While a deputy in Dodge he and another deputy shot at a retreating criminal. The gunfighter is also one of the most popular characters in the Western genre and has appeared in associated films, video games, and literature. Allison fought in the Civil War, but was discharged after a blow to the head started causing erratic behavior in him. Then Sheriff Owens turned his attention to the Blevins family, the other rustling gang in the county. Much of the time, it would be difficult to tell who had "won" the gunfight for several minutes, as the black powder smoke from the pistols cleared the air. [citation needed], Another well-documented gunfight resulted in the most kills by one person in a single event, when Capt. Obviously the most well-known Old West figure in history, Bill the Kids life has [citation needed], On December 1, 1884, a town sheriff named Elfego Baca came face-to-face against 80 gunmen which became known as the Frisco shootout. He wrote in a letter to John Hays Hammond on May 21, 1925, that "notoriety had been the bane of my life. On the contrary, in cases where two men held a similar reputation, both would avoid confrontation with one another whenever possible. Even in unfamiliar territory and time periods, Hex managed to outgun his enemies with more advanced weaponry. [citation needed], In many early western films and literature, Native Americans were often portrayed as savages; having conflicts and battles against gunfighters and White settlements. And in a close-range free-for-all, speed is not all it's cracked up to be. [48] He is often viewed as the central character and hero of the Gunfight at the O.K. How can you not include the most famous outlaw of all? This list is absolutely terrible.. king fisher was hardly a gunfighter but more of a cowboy type figure who for intl a few scrapes with ranch hands..btk was not a gunfighter he was a cattle rustler/hired hand who handled himself well and used a gun when he had to(only 4 kills). As to Clay Allison, Earp had aleged that he had confronted Allison in Dodge and that Allison had backed down. A gunfighter was someone who was good with a gun and willing to use this skill in a dispute, not exactly the best shot in the world like a sniper, but just someone willing to standup and fight a foe. 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. He ten went to Dodge City for a while. Later in the same month, he killed a man in an argument in Limestone County, and two weeks later shot a man who attempted to rob him. Here are10 of the most well-known. "Wyatt thought, 'I better take Frank [McLaury], because he's more dangerous. [71] Throughout the DC Universe, Hex has been, on many occasions, transported from the Old West to the contemporary setting and beyond. Even other gunslingers were likely to avoid any unnecessary confrontation. "What I say is it's the ability to make good decisions under stress. The gunfight at the O.K. John Wesley Hardin was born in 1853, in Texas, to James Gibson Gip Hardin and Mary Elizabeth Dixson. Doc hollidy, kid curry, Luke short and dave matter should be on there before half those guys. Frank Loving, who had only a slight scratch on his hand, was immediately taken to jail. In 1899 the Earps went to Alaska during the Gold Rush and again opened a successful saloon. [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". Ferd Patterson Living and Dying by the Gun. Sometimes, however, just to make things "official", they would go through the formality of deputization. Miller pulled his gun on Frazer, who proceeded to shoot him six times. [7], Western gunslinger heroes are portrayed as local lawmen or enforcement officers, ranchers, army officers, cowboys, territorial marshals, nomadic loners, or skilled fast-draw artists. 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