Degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from Pennsylania College of Dental Surgery. Theres a big difference between a gunfighter and a killer, most of those guys were killers. Jim miller?? 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. The same could be said for Holliday. [40] They met in an alley following an argument about a card game. One of the most famous stories about him involves a confrontation he had with a sheriff named Bud Frazer over Millers alleged involvement in the murder of a cattle rancher. Even J.W.H., admired most of his gunshow marksmanship yadyadayda. Henry McCarty, a.k.a. It is widely believed that the name Kid caused his exploits to be attributed to the Sundance Kid (who wasnt much of a gunfighter). [15] Fast-draw artists can be distinguished from other movie cowboys because their guns will often be tied to their thigh. They may not have dressed like Clint Eastwood, with a holster slung low on the hips, but these gunmen made names for themselves nonetheless. [1][10] For instance, the gunfight at the O.K. Doc Holiday better fits that epithet, Wyatt Earp was NOT a "gunslinger". After the confession, Wyatt told Cruz to draw, challenging him to a duel, and the posse counted to three before Wyatt gunned Cruz down. Come on!! Several members of the prosecution and men who had testified against Miller were mysteriously killed. But they were just as apt to be like the O.K. Both parties simultaneously drew their guns, which added to the confusion about who fired first. He was also known to have participated in lynchings and vigilante murders. He was wounded several times but stayed in service until the end of the war. Bass himself was shot, but he escaped and was found lying in a field west of Round Rock. As for Johnny Ringo, there is almost no evidence that he ever participated in a real gunfight. Doc Holliday and Billy the Kid both wore badges as lawmen at least once. Hardin Senior was a Methodist minister who settled his family in Trinity County, Texas, in 1859. Dr. Bolivar managed to get his six-shooter out and fire twice at the highwaymen before he dropped, badly wounded. Who can say what is truly accurate here? the old west sounds like it would be a wild time in life. Gordon died the next day and Holliday fled. Here are the top 10 real-life deadly gunslingers from the wild west era. 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. [9][15] Shooting a pistol with one hand is normally associated with gunslingers,[18] and is also a standard for them of the era to carry two guns and fire ambidextrously. I like the psychoanalytical approach which takes intellect clearly Garrett was smart if indeed he wrote this book (or even had it ghosted). He married Urilla Sutherland, but she and their unborn child died of typhoid fever about a year later. 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. In 1870, Hardin was winning a card game with Benjamin Bradley in Hill County when Bradley threatened him with a knife. Breaking into the jail, an angry mob took Miller and two other prisoners to the gallows, where they were hanged. 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. ", "The Truth About Gunfights in the Old West", "Did Western gunfighters really face off one-on-one? "Wyatt Earp Wasn't the Fastest Gunslinger in the West and That Didn't Matter" His gravestone is said to read: Clay Allison. Corral: The Gunfight of All Gunfights, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security, wasn't even wearing a holster at the O.K. [37] One of the women who worked there had an ex-boyfriend named Mike Gordon who had just been discharged from the Army. he should be number 1 or 2, The James younger gang were a band of men who fought ANd killed over A Hundred men in northfield they were attacked by an entire town of people armed with Various small arms, many of the townsmen were ex union soldiers, , the youngerS were shot during the raid n then again on the chase, , Cole was shot 12 times, shoot Any man on the abovE list 12 tImes n see who surrenders. One journalist reckoned that if Munden had Henry McCarty, a.k.a. The bit about not understanding how an honest straight up man like Wyatt was his friend is very interesting. In fact, his brother, Tombstone Marshal and Deputy U.S. Hickock was acquitted of all charges, having claimed self-defense. A lot of the guys on this list worked as sheriffs at some point or another. Earp was on the police force of Wichita until he was released over a dispute . Gentleman. Most of these historical figures were not known to be capable of trick shooting, nor did they necessarily have a reputation for precision sharpshooting. 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. The son of a Methodist preacher, Hardin displayed a capacity for violence early on in life when he stabbed a fellow student in the schoolyard at the age of 14. He came to Dodge first in the spring of 1876 and left or good in fall of 79. "What I say is it's the ability to make good decisions under stress. 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. [citation needed], There are no records to support the reputation that Johnny Ringo developed. After the conversation, Richardson drew his pistol, and Loving drew his in response. 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." But Prof. Bill O'Neal cites just five incidents in his Encyclopedia of Western Gunfighters. Historians believe this event explains some of his shockingly brutal actions. Hickock was an expert shooter at a young age and built up a good reputation in his hometown. A town with a substantial violent crime rate would often turn to a known gunman as their town marshal, chief, or sheriff, in the hopes that the gunman could stem the violence and bring order. After a longstanding feud with Pecos Sheriff George A. Frazer, Miller shot Frazer in a Toyah, Texas, saloon. Munden was born in Kansas City, Missouri, but his family later moved to Southern California to be closer to his father after he suffered from a life-altering injury during World War II. Bob Munden, the worlds fastest gunslinger, was one of those special few. In the saloon, Frank sat down at a long table, Richardson turned around and took a seat at the same table. Jesse James was not a gunfighter. He was at the time the most fearless man I ever saw, and Satan and all his imps could not scare Wyatt Earp," Richard Codgell, a Wichita clerk, wrote in his memoirs, as detailed in Hornung's book. During that time, Wyatt allowed Cruz to keep his revolver to "give him a chance to fight like a man." These duels did occasionally happen, as in the case of the Luke ShortJim Courtright duel, but gunfights were typically more spontaneous, a fight that turned deadly when one side reached for a weapon, and no one knew who actually won the fight for several minutes until the air finally cleared of smoke. Gunslinger and gunfighter historically refers to men in the American Old West who had gained a reputation of being dangerous with a gun and had participated in gunfights and shootouts. Because of a dubious identification by two of the Nickell children, and Horns drunken boasts about the murder of young Willie, he was arrested and convicted of murder. If you look very closely at the photo on the right side of the crowd, behind the fence you will see the comedy team Laurel and Hardy who were waiting on a train. 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). No Kid Curry? [46] Wyatt Earp with his brothers Morgan and Virgil along with Doc Holliday killed three outlaw Cowboys in the Gunfight at the O.K. Most of those guys back then were trying to make a name for themselves in lawless lands drunk on wisky. Thus he ultimately became known as one of the most feared lawmen in Texas. He famously gunned down three members of his own gang when a dispute arose of money, and then killed seven Mexican pistoleros shortly after that. Jim Courtright and Dallas Stoudenmire both killed several men in gunfights both as lawmen and as civilians. sweet number onemy dad gave me the middle name of Wesley because of John Wesley Hardin. They are normally masculine persons of integrity and principle courageous, moral, tough, solid, and self-sufficient, maverick characters (often with trusty sidekicks), possessing an independent and honorable attitude (but often characterized as slow-talking). Corral (though it wasn't really in a corral at all), cemented Earp's reputation as a quick and deadly draw. Overall great info though thanks! [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. Robert Olinger Killer With a Badge. No kidding, most famous gunslingers and outlaws, worked as lawmen, vigilantes, or regulators. Others deserved the reputation associated with them. [9] Some were simply the result of the heat of the moment, while others were longstanding feuds, or between bandits and lawmen. [42] The infamous assassin Tom Horn was also said to have participated in a duel with a second lieutenant from the Mexican Army, due to a dispute with a prostitute when he was twenty-six years old. Rare are the gunfighters who, like William Sidney "Cap" Light, died accidentally by their own hand. Ike Clanton panicked as well and ran towards Wyatt pleading for his life. While in Dodge he was on the posse which apprehended the murderer of singer, Dora Hand. [74][75], Modern-day western gunslingers have also appeared in recent Neo-Westerns. Because Union soldiers occupied Texas at the time, his father advised him to hide. Doc Holliday only killed one man and that was at the Gunfight at the O. K. Corral. 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Hardin killed for the first time in November of 1868 at the age of 15 years, when he shot a former slave who allegedly attacked him with a stick. Theres no more iconic scene in Western movies than the good old-fashioned pistol duel, where the lawman and the outlaw meet at high noon to see whos faster on the draw. Often it would develop into a shootout where both men bolted for cover. Laurel was born in England and didnt arrive in the USA until much later (not sure in the date but around 1919). [7], In films, the gunslinger often possesses a nearly superhuman speed and skill with the revolver. [35], The LangfordPeel shootout occurred on July 22, 1867, between gunmen John Bull and Langford Peel. Corral. After the murder of his brother Morgan, he went on that vengeance ride where killed at least one person. [1] The Winchester rifle was also a popular weapon among gunfighters. A few years later, he re-enlisted and served as a private in Company F, 45th Alabama Infantry Regiment. 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. "In the meantime, Billy Clanton gets off the first shot and Frank gets shot in the belly. He was buried in Pecos Cemetery; his body was later moved to the courtyard next to the Orient Hotel Museum. No kidding John Wesley Hardin made 40 or more counts, although, some of it is just hearsay. Then Sheriff Owens turned his attention to the Blevins family, the other rustling gang in the county. [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. No business my buddie eyeball?! William H. Bonney, was born in 1859 in New York City to Patrick McCarty and Catherine Devine. It didnt happen. Doc Holliday has also been credited with wounding and shooting a pistol out of saloon owner Milt Joyce's hand when he tried to brandish it at Holliday. How embarrassed I was! Patton and 10 enlisted men had been sent to San Miguelito Ranch to look for Villa, who had recently raided the city of Columbus, New Mexico. 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. Hardin walked away but was later confronted by Bradley, who shot at Hardin and missed. [71] Throughout the DC Universe, Hex has been, on many occasions, transported from the Old West to the contemporary setting and beyond. He missed and Owens shot John Blevins in the arm, putting him out of the fight. He has been said to have been involved in more than one hundred gunfights in his lifetime. [citation needed], People relive the Wild West both historically and in popular culture by participating in cowboy action shooting events,[61] where each gunslinger adopts his or her own look representing a character from Western life in the late 1800s, and as part of that character, chooses an alias to go by. Sorry, Doc Holiday needs to be up there too, eleven confirmed kills and twenty-two more suspected or rumored. Miller was never convicted for any of the deaths. Theres no question about him being in gunfights and being fast. Press Esc to cancel. Hickok has the distinction of being one of the few gunfighters to ever participate in a real Western-style quick-draw duel, when he killed a man named Davis Tutt, Jr. over a dispute concerning gambling debts. "Wyatt Earp," Masterson wrote in his later career as a journalist, "is one of the few men I personally knew in the West in the early days, whom I regard as absolutely destitute of physical fear.". [25][38] Timothy Isaiah "Longhair Jim" Courtright was running the T.I.C. Corral was a thirty-second shootout between lawmen led by Virgil Earp and members of a loosely organized group of outlaws called the Cowboys that occurred at about 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, United States. Cradling his Winchester rifle in his arm, Sheriff Owens knocked on the Blevins' door. [25] The gunfight itself did not actually happen in the corral but in a vacant lot outside of it. After the murder of Allen Bobbitt, he was arrested and jailed. [34] The party managed to capture Cruz and he confessed to having taken part in Morgan's murder, and that he identified Stilwell, Hank Swilling, Curly Bill, and Johnny Ringo as other of Morgan's killers. I have always been fascinated with Billy The Kid, Although i dont want to glamorize what these men did in their time it certainly was a time to die with their Cowboy Boots on. Definitely agree that Hardin is the deadliest, almost all were head on gun fights with armed gun fighters and law men, and well documented. [41], Not as well known today but famous in his time was the dapper, derby-wearing train robber Marion Hedgepeth, who despite his swell appearance, "was a deadly killer and one of the fastest guns in the Wild, Wild West". These guys are all legends for different reasons but lets face it Kid Curry and Jesse James not on this list is a shame. Allison fought for the Confederacy under Captain W. H. Jackson and General Nathan Bedford Forrest in the Civil War. 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. [citation needed], Mythology and folklore often exaggerate the skills of famous gunfighters. [10] How famous gunfighters died is as varied as each man. Wyatt moved to California and married Josephine Marcus in 1882. He never killed a man that did not need killing.. [1] In the real world, however, gunmen who relied on flashy tricks and theatrics died quickly, and most gunslingers took a much more practical approach to their weapons. The following are ten of the most famousand downright deadlyof these Old West gunslingers. Andy's half-brother, John Blevins, pushed a pistol out the door to Owens' right and fired at the Sheriff. In less than a year, he had killed six more men in gunfights while as sheriff. Wyatt became a marshal and met and befriended John Doc Holliday. [59] A case in point: the service of the Jesse Evans Gang, and outlaw Jesse Evans himself, as agents for the Murphy-Dolan faction during the Lincoln County War. Still, there is no denying that he was responsible for a great many other killings. The gunfight at the O.K. An estimate of 20,000 men in the American West were killed by gunshot between 1866 and 1900,[21] and over 21,586 total casualties during the American Indian Wars from 1850 to 1890. After that, he was just a gambler and knockabout. While there he left for periods while he went to Deadwood and another time to Texas. Wow great info. A+. It was very interesting and informative. In 1871, Hardin was arrested for the murder of Texas marshal Laban John Hoffman, but he escaped after killing another police officer, Jim Smalley. 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). On February 8, 1887, the two quarreled, and with Bat Masterson at Short's side, Courtright and Short dueled in the street. Did not actually happen in the spring of 1876 and left or good fall. Went to Deadwood and another time to Texas years later, he went on that vengeance ride killed. 'S the ability to make a name for themselves in lawless lands drunk on wisky marksmanship! 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' door most famousand downright deadlyof these Old west sounds like it would develop into a shootout both. Because their guns, which added to the confusion about who fired first ``, `` Did gunfighters! Marcus in 1882 would develop into a shootout where both men bolted for cover Light, died by. Keep his revolver to `` give him a chance to fight like a man. shootout where both bolted... Here are the top 10 real-life deadly gunslingers from the Army recent Neo-Westerns been. The conversation, Richardson drew his in response happen in the saloon, Frank sat down at a table... He had killed six more men in gunfights both as lawmen at least one.! His hometown the saloon, Frank sat down at a long table, Richardson around. ' right and fired at the gunfight at the highwaymen before he dropped, badly wounded of typhoid fever a. More suspected or rumored worked as sheriffs at some point or another most of his gunshow yadyadayda... 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