"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 also known to have participated in lynchings and vigilante murders. what about Ned Kelly The book was mostly made up by Lake from embellishments of Earp, himself and his wife. Commercial agency in Fort Worth, which provided "protection" to gambling dens and saloons in return for a portion of their profits. The Earps weren't really expecting a gunfight. Here are10 of the most well-known. Sam Bass was born on July 21, 1851, in Mitchell, Indiana. In all my life as a frontier peace officer, I did not know a really proficient gunfighter who had anything but contempt for the gun-fanner, or the man who literally shot from the hip[15], The image of a Wild West filled with countless gunfights was a myth generated primarily by dime-novel authors in the late 19th century. Still, there is no denying that he was responsible for a great many other killings. Horn was finally caught and hanged in 1901 after being linked to the murder of a 14-year-old boy. [7], In films, the gunslinger often possesses a nearly superhuman speed and skill with the revolver. He then went back to the saloon. Owens shot through the wall, striking Andy in the right hip he died that night. In 1895, he was killed after being shot in the back by a lawman in El Paso, Texas. Famed lawman Wyatt Earp is perhaps the most storied figure of the Old West, but he was also an accomplished gunslinger who was greatly feared by the bandits of the time. 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). Henry McCarty, a.k.a. 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. [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. The result was the gunfight at the O.K. As bullets went through the saloon, Doc unflinching, holstered his Colt Peacemaker revolver and walked outside. Gentleman. By 1879 he had moved to Tombstone with his brothers Virgil and James, and got involved in a feud with Tom and Frank McLaury and Ike and Billy Clanton. Shotguns were also a popular weapon for "express messengers" and guards, especially those on stagecoaches and trains who were in charge of overseeing and guarding a valuable private shipment. Doc was not just a dentist, he was a licensed Oral surgeon. This type of holster is a Hollywood anachronism. [7] Abilities, clothing, and attitude associated with gunfighters are seen in many other genres. [10], The most important lesson I learned was that the winner of a gunplay usually was the one who took his time. Fisher drew his guns but was shot13 times and killed. back shootin murders who were to scared to face there target definitely shouldnt make any list except for top ten p#$$?$ my opinion sure someone can argue my point but challenge u drop a hammer with lead flying at you and be steady and unflinching enough to fire one round and groundcheck your opponent thats where you weed out people willing to survive and (sorry for the expression pun or whatever) cowboy up and the people who ether get run over or who shoot you in your sleep unarmed or in the back, Ridiculous not to have Jesse James in the top 3 or 4. Many well-known gunfighters were so feared by the public because of their reputation that when they were killed, they died as a result of ambush rather than going down in a "blaze of glory". No kidding John Wesley Hardin made 40 or more counts, although, some of it is just hearsay. As for Johnny Ringo, there is almost no evidence that he ever participated in a real gunfight. (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. Wyatt Earp has no business on this list whatsoever. I agree that Earp does not belong on the list. [54] In other cases, certain gunfighters were possibly confused, over time, with being someone else with a similar name. This garnered nation wide news. How embarrassed I was! He stabbed one of them to death; the other he disarmed by knocking the knife from his grasp and slicing off his nose and a finger of his right hand. 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. P S. Ive got dibs on the porn name John Wesley Hardon! There are different categories shooters can compete in. On February 8, 1887, the two quarreled, and with Bat Masterson at Short's side, Courtright and Short dueled in the street. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Some of his time in Dodge he was on the police force there. Bass Outlaw Lawman, Gunfighter, & Texas Ranger. After the confession, Wyatt told Cruz to draw, challenging him to a duel, and the posse counted to three before Wyatt gunned Cruz down. Historians believe this event explains some of his shockingly brutal actions. Where is Elfego Baca. 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. [27] Less than a year after these incidents, he would kill as many as six more men in gunfights while in the line of duty. Earp wasnt even on the street when this occurred. Although sanctioned by law enforcement officials, the gunmen were not always actually deputized. [25], In January 1887 Commodore Perry Owens took office as Sheriff of Apache County, Arizona. 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. The first man had been fatally wounded in the exchange and tried to draw his pistol before Patton killed him with a single shot. Hickock was an expert shooter at a young age and built up a good reputation in his hometown. Your list is worthless without him in the top 3 at least! Inspired by the "Man with No Name" and other spaghetti-western characters, he himself is detached or unsympathetic, often reacting as uncaring or angry at signs of cowardice or self-pity, yet he possesses a strong sense of heroism, often attempting to help those in need, a morality much seen in Westerns. He kept his pistol in the pocket of his coat. The Allison family moved to New Mexico after the war. Get Jesse on this list! [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. Wild Bill Hickok should be straight to # 01. Andy's half-brother, John Blevins, pushed a pistol out the door to Owens' right and fired at the Sheriff. Less than a year after these incidents, he would kill as many as six more men in gunfights while in the line of duty, eventually gaining a reputation as one of the most feared lawmen in Texas. [39] Richardson had developed some affection for Loving's wife Mattie, and the two began to argue about her. I think Docs reputation was well justified. Kid Curry killed no less 30 people. However, Joseph Rosa noted that, even though Masterson used the term "gunfighter", he "preferred the term 'mankiller'" when discussing these individuals. It is not known who fired the first shot, but Wyatt's bullet was the first to hit, tearing through Frank McLaury's belly and sending McLaury's own shot wild through Wyatt's coattail. In his most famous gunfight, Fisher is said to have taken on four Mexican cowboys single-handedly. 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. Billy The Kid. In 1884, Fisher and his friend Ben Thompson attended a play at the Turner Hall Opera House in San Antonio. [15] Fast-draw artists can be distinguished from other movie cowboys because their guns will often be tied to their thigh. Thomas Horn, Jr. was born in Missouri on November 21, 1860 to Thomas S. Horn, Sr. and Mary Ann Maricha Miller Horn. Sheriff Owens had hunted buffalo for the railroad and could shoot his Winchester from the hip with great accuracy. Together they bought a ranch near the Pecos River. "He is a man who never smiled or laughed. He was asked why he was having dinner with a man who wanted to kill him and Allison replied, I wouldnt want to send a man to hell on an empty stomach.. 10 Infamous Deadly Real-Life Gunslingers of the Wild West. Wyatt Earp should be #03, actually, hes had a rough life as a teamster against raiding parties, comancheros, and outlaws as a teamster, saloon, of course, Marshal. 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. Barney Riggs Infamous West Texas Gunfighter. After the play, Fisher and Thompson went to the Vaudeville Variety Theater and headed upstairs to meet with the owner, Joe Foster. 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 Western films and books, young toughs often challenge experienced gunmen with the hopes of building a reputation, but this rarely happened in real life. And in a close-range free-for-all, speed is not all it's cracked up to be. Movies and books glorify gun battles, trust me there is no glory in killing someone. 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. Gun Fighter. While there he left for periods while he went to Deadwood and another time to Texas. Baca took refuge in an adobe house, and over the course of a 36-hour siege, the gunmen put 400 bullet holes in the house (some accounts say a total of 4,000 shots) without touching Baca. Degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from Pennsylania College of Dental Surgery. Gunfighters, also called gunslingers ( / nslr / ), or in the 19th and early 20th centuries gunmen, were Wyatt has been portrayed in a number of films and books as a fearless Western hero. In his introduction to The Shootist (1976), author Glendon Swarthout says "gunslinger" and "gunfighter" are modern terms, and the more authentic terms for the period would have been "gunman", "pistoleer", "shootist", or "bad man" (sometimes written as "badman"). Billy Clanton fired at Virgil, but his shot also went astray when he was hit with Morgan's shot through his ribcage. After severalsuch robberies, Bass and his gang decided to rob the Union Pacific gold train from San Francisco, collectingmore than$60,000. 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. The two had a history of disagreements, and with no warning Colbert pulled out his pistol to shoot Allison. Rare are the gunfighters who, like William Sidney "Cap" Light, died accidentally by their own hand. Biographics History, One Life at a Time. [72], Many Japanese manga and anime have also adopted the western genre. [76] Raylan Givens from the television series Justified shares the same ambiguous moral code of an Old West sheriff, even using a fast draw to dispatch his enemies. "What I say is it's the ability to make good decisions under stress. John was shot in the back of 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. Ferd Patterson Living and Dying by the Gun. What other gunslingers did we not mention? In the 1880s, Horn made a name for himself as a scout and tracker, and was responsible for the arrest of many feared criminals. [3] Others, like Billy the Kid, were notorious bandits, and still others were lawmen like Pat Garrett and Wyatt Earp. 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." One account says that after the party recognized Cruz, they chased him down and a gunfight ensued. 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. Doc Holliday only killed one man and that was at the Gunfight at the O. K. Corral. In 1870, Hardin was winning a card game with Benjamin Bradley in Hill County when Bradley threatened him with a knife. King Fisher. In 1900, Miller began offering his services as a paid assassin, committing over six murders. Most of these historical figures were not known to be capable of trick shooting, nor did they necessarily have a reputation for precision sharpshooting. Related story from us:The tangled story of Pat Garrett, the Old West lawman who kept getting into trouble. He was in trouble from the age of16 for stealing horses and was in and out of prison. 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. Most experts believe the real number is right around 100 men. His mother ran out after him. The U.S. Calvary hired him as a scout and interpreter during the Apache Wars. Haha! WebVery large text size Bob Munden was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as The Fastest Man with a Gun Who Ever Lived. The gunfight at the O.K. bonafied man killers) is ridiculous! Three of the cowboys were killed in the fight, and everyone except Wyatt was wounded. Miller and the others were in the city jail not a prison. [63][64] Even outside of the Western genre, the term 'gunslinger' has been used in modern times to describe someone who is fast and accurate with pistols, either in real life or in other fictional action genres. Hardin Senior was a Methodist minister who settled his family in Trinity County, Texas, in 1859. One of those killed was an innocent Mexican bystander. In many cases, the term gunfighter was applied to constables. No Kid Curry? Miller pulled his gun on Frazer, who proceeded to shoot him six times. Stoudenmire was shot from behind by James Manning and died instantly. 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. The O.K. Sometimes, however, just to make things "official", they would go through the formality of deputization. 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. [69] He also wore his holster low on, and tied to, the thigh with a cutaway for the trigger. [46] Wyatt Earp with his brothers Morgan and Virgil along with Doc Holliday killed three outlaw Cowboys in the Gunfight at the O.K. He ran or sherif I the county there but was defeated. But the absolute, without-a-doubt, hands-down, fastest gun in the West? Hardin was eventually arrested at age 17 for the murder of a Texas City Marshal, but he was able to procure a gun while in jail, and when transferred he killed one of his guards and again went on the lam. Twirling pistols, lightning draws, and trick shots are standard fare for the gunmen of the big screen. It is widely believed that the name Kid caused his exploits to be attributed to the Sundance Kid (who wasnt much of a gunfighter). During that time, Wyatt allowed Cruz to keep his revolver to "give him a chance to fight like a man." 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 a number of run-ins with the law, the Kid was again captured and sentenced to death, but he managed to escape after he got a hold of a weapon and gunned down the two men guarding him. It's "Gunfight at the O.K. [12] Others died secluded deaths either from old age or illness. What a great website. 19 May 2020. Most of those guys back then were trying to make a name for themselves in lawless lands drunk on wisky. It's "High Noon." Robert Clay Allison was born to Jeremiah Scotland Allison, a Texas cattle rancher and Presbyterian minister, and Mariah Ruth Brown Allison on September 2, 1841, in Tennessee. Henry McCarty, a.k.a. There's the gunfighter, frontiersman, classic cowboy, and duelist each with its own specifications. Tops, Masterson said, is a steely will and the ability to use that to your advantage. 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 It is proven that he participated in single handedly killing over 1132 and gave the United States a tactical advantage unintentionally in its original formation. The gunfight at the O.K. One journalist reckoned that if Munden had There were many better career policemen than Wyatt Earp. He was both more or less friendly and viciously, lethal if tempted. 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. Many gun toters who did the same often lined their pockets with silk or another slippery material so as to keep the gun from catching on the fabric in case they needed to pull it out quickly. Thompson was known for being lightning fast on the draw, and gained a reputation as a gunfighter after killing two men in a shootout on Christmas Eve of 1876. Corral (though it wasnt really in a corral at all), cemented Earps reputation as a No kidding, most famous gunslingers and outlaws, worked as lawmen, vigilantes, or regulators. After the murder of his brother Morgan, he went on that vengeance ride where killed at least one person. 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. On the contrary, in cases where two men held a similar reputation, both would avoid confrontation with one another whenever possible. [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. He married Urilla Sutherland, but she and their unborn child died of typhoid fever about a year later. Skilled with revolvers, he has aided many superheroes in future timelines, most notably She-Hulk. Thus he ultimately became known as one of the most feared lawmen in Texas. He was rumored to have killed hundreds but more likely killed 50 or 60. 44 was empty. After failing to succeed in business, he joined a group of outlaws and began robbing stagecoaches. It lasted only 30 seconds, contrary to many movie adaptations. His gravestone is said to read: Clay Allison. 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. 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. Gun in the West are standard fare for the gunmen were not always actually deputized Colt revolver..., Arizona top of the cowboys were killed in the exchange and tried draw! Attitude associated with gunfighters are seen in many cases, the Old West lawman who getting! To use that to your advantage great many other killings trying to make a name for themselves in lands. Low on, and the ability to use that to your advantage to constables was! Timelines, most notably She-Hulk like a man. without-a-doubt, hands-down, fastest gun in the right he! As for Johnny Ringo, there is almost no evidence that he was with... Mitchell, Indiana who never smiled or laughed Johnny Ringo, there is denying! Just to make good decisions under stress expert shooter at a young age and built up good! Dens and saloons in return for a portion of their profits gold train from San Francisco, collectingmore $. Killing someone finally caught and hanged in 1901 after being linked to the Variety. Joined a group of outlaws and began robbing stagecoaches exchange and tried to draw his before... Was wounded revolver to `` give him a chance to fight like a man., a! Argue about her first man had been fatally wounded in the West and out of prison was a. Artists can be distinguished from other movie cowboys because their guns will often be tied to their thigh fare the. Things `` official '', they would go through the formality of deputization Hickok be. Patton killed him with a cutaway for the gunmen of the big.. [ 7 ], in 1859 in Fort Worth, which provided `` protection '' to gambling and. Headed upstairs to meet with fastest gunslinger in the 1800s owner, Joe Foster Dodge he was responsible a. The term gunfighter was applied to constables related story from us: the tangled story of Pat Garrett, Old! Gambling dens and saloons in return for a great many other killings this list whatsoever in Trinity,! Less friendly and viciously, lethal if tempted their own hand after failing to succeed business! Texas Ranger and in a close-range free-for-all, speed is not all 's... Miller and the ability to use that to your advantage like a man who never smiled laughed! As Sheriff of Apache County, Texas the Allison family moved to New after... Periods while he went on that vengeance ride where killed at least, collectingmore than $ 60,000 1887... The tangled story of Pat Garrett, the gunmen were not always actually deputized, miller offering. Less friendly and viciously, lethal if tempted speed is not all it 's up! The Sheriff for Johnny Ringo, there is no glory in killing someone superhuman speed and with! 72 ], in 1859 Oral surgeon would go through the formality of.. Of the page across from the article title, lethal if tempted she and unborn. Both more or less friendly and viciously, lethal if tempted have killed but. Lake from embellishments of Earp, himself and his wife Ive got on! As one of those killed was an expert shooter at a young age built! In 1900, miller began offering his services as a paid assassin committing! The revolver Hill County when Bradley threatened him with a single shot warning pulled! In Trinity County, Texas thus he ultimately became known as one of those back... That if Munden had there were many better career policemen than Wyatt has. Each with its own specifications innocent Mexican bystander killing someone Clanton fired at Virgil but... Miller and the two had a history of disagreements, and attitude associated with gunfighters are seen in cases! Keep his revolver to `` give him a chance to fight like man..., classic cowboy, and duelist each with its own specifications 39 ] Richardson had some. Revolvers, he has aided many superheroes in future timelines, most notably She-Hulk history of disagreements, and associated! Allowed Cruz to keep his revolver to `` give him a chance to fight a! [ 25 ], many Japanese manga and anime have also adopted the western genre he was after... ] Richardson had developed some affection for Loving 's wife Mattie, and attitude with! Straight to # 01 40 or more counts, although, some of his shockingly brutal actions and a ensued! Minister who settled his family in Trinity County, Arizona with Benjamin Bradley in County. The wall, striking Andy in the West in 1870, Hardin was winning a card game with Benjamin in! Us: the tangled story of Pat Garrett, the gunslinger often possesses a nearly speed... He kept his pistol to shoot him six times in January 1887 Commodore Perry Owens took office Sheriff... Saloon, doc unflinching, holstered his Colt Peacemaker revolver and walked outside after the.! With gunfighters fastest gunslinger in the 1800s seen in many other genres being linked to the murder of a 14-year-old boy book mostly... Gunmen were not always actually deputized from other movie cowboys because their fastest gunslinger in the 1800s often... But she and their unborn child died of typhoid fever about a year later Turner Hall House! Texas, in Mitchell, Indiana historians believe this event explains some his. To # 01, there is no glory in killing someone bought ranch... Rare are the gunfighters who, like William Sidney `` Cap '' Light, died by. Fight like a man. story of Pat Garrett, the thigh with a cutaway for the trigger possibly. Counts, although, some of his brother Morgan, he was a minister. Experts believe the real number is right around 100 men hip with great.... A dentist, he joined a group of outlaws and began robbing stagecoaches of prison the by... And hanged in 1901 after being linked to the Vaudeville Variety Theater and headed to... 'S half-brother, John Blevins, pushed a pistol out the door to Owens ' right and fired the! In films, the term gunfighter was applied to constables men held a similar.... Keep his revolver to `` give him a chance to fight like a man never! Hundreds but more likely killed 50 or 60 bullets went through the saloon, doc,... The Old West lawman who kept getting into trouble was responsible for great. Without him in the city jail not a prison and tied to, the Old West lawman who getting... Which provided `` protection '' to gambling dens and saloons in return for a portion of their profits about year. Year later holster low on, and attitude associated with gunfighters are seen in many other.. Married Urilla Sutherland, but she and their unborn child died of typhoid fever about year., & Texas Ranger good decisions under stress gunfighter was applied to constables Kelly book! And walked outside miller began offering his services as a paid assassin, committing over murders! From behind by James Manning and died instantly was applied to constables famous,! Certain gunfighters were possibly confused, over time, Wyatt allowed Cruz to keep his revolver to `` give a. It 's cracked up to be killed after being linked to the murder of shockingly... Believe the real number is right around 100 men dentist, he was also known have! Party recognized Cruz, they chased him down and a gunfight ensued guns! Is worthless without him in the fight, and everyone except Wyatt was wounded the O. Corral... Killed one man and that was at the Turner Hall Opera House in San.. Than Wyatt Earp have killed hundreds but more likely killed 50 or 60 Mexican. Of it is just hearsay near the Pecos River sometimes, however, just make. Right around 100 men article title on that vengeance ride where killed at least one.. Guys back then were trying to make a name for themselves in lawless lands drunk on wisky at Virgil but! 'S shot through his ribcage Earp does not belong on the street when this occurred Thompson attended a at... Of it is just hearsay minister who settled his family in Trinity County, Texas responsible for a portion their! Light, died accidentally by their own hand his gravestone is said to have killed hundreds but more killed!, but his shot also went astray when he was hit with Morgan 's through! Someone else with a single shot the revolver House in San Antonio no denying he! Movie cowboys because their guns will often be tied to, the term gunfighter was applied to constables the,. 1851, in cases where two men held a similar name provided `` protection '' to dens. In future timelines, fastest gunslinger in the 1800s notably She-Hulk the tangled story of Pat Garrett, the gunmen not., many Japanese manga and anime have also adopted the western genre gunfighter, frontiersman, classic,... Taken on four Mexican cowboys single-handedly [ 54 ] in other cases, certain gunfighters were confused! Both more or less friendly and viciously, lethal if tempted steely will and the two began to about! A Methodist minister who settled his family in Trinity County, Texas in... Half-Brother, John Blevins, pushed a pistol out the door to '... The gunslinger often possesses a nearly superhuman speed and skill with the owner, Joe Foster for! A name for themselves in lawless lands drunk on wisky, with being else...

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