Posted on 12/14/2017 9:42:11 AM PST by w1n1
Where’s John Wesley Hardin? He killed more men in personal combat during gunfights than anyone else in the Old West.
It is said that my great grandfather was given plenty of "personal space" because of this notorious escort.
We used to think this was a cock and bull story, but recently the story somehow got corroborated. Details escape me.
Knew Cousin Jesse would make the list.
One old family story is Frank James would come at night to visit with great grandpa. Great grandma wouldn’t allow him in her house so they’d have to visit outside.
I just finished john Wesley Hardin’s book. He was truly a bad SOB. He should be in the top 5 at the least. He alone had 27 confirmed kills and 43 total. In 1895 He was only 47 when he was shot in the back of the head by John Selman Sr. While standing at a bar .In return Selman was killed by US Marshal George Scarborough in 1896
You are right about that omission. Another would be Luke Short. Out dandyfied has buddy Bat Masterson.
Cool story. I had a Great uncle (Sylvester “Ves” Akers) who served under Quantrill during the civil war. Another who served with Ves under Quantrill was Frank James (Jesse came along a few years into the war as he was just a teenager). Uncle Ves and Frank were very close during the war and both were with Quantrill in Kentucky when Quantrill was killed at the end of the war. I could write a book on Ves and his adventures as he was one of the main Post-war sources for historians concerning the war time exploits of William Quantrill. Unlike a few liberal shitheads in my family, I am 100% proud of all of these men and will forever be grateful for Clint Eastwood's accurate portrayal of the Missouri-Kansas Border War in The Outlaw Josey Wales.
Agreed. This list is more derived from someone’s addiction to movie westerns. John Wesley Hardin should be there.
Notable names not in the list : Bill Tighlman out of Wichita and Johnny Ringo. Mysterious Dave Mather out of Las Vegas, New Mexico and of course my great, great uncles out of Abique, NM who founded Georgia OKeefes Ghost Ranch.
Ask my why its called The Ghost Ranch. . .
Ok. Why is it called The Ghost Ranch?
John ‘’Doc’’ Holliday was a failed dentist and invenerate gambler. He was also a violent alcoholic. Far from being champions of justice men like the Earp’s, Bat Masterson and others were really men who played both sides of what could be considered the law in the 19 century and by today’s standards none of them would ever be fit to be a law enforcement officer.
Do Tell,
DO TELL!
Sorta like Mueller’s crew.
I don’t know about the meanest, but the fastest gun most Arizonans write about was an Arizona Ranger named Kidder. He was shot in the back and killed while having a drink in Naco, Arizona.
My great great uncles were notorious horse thieves and killers who murdered many innocent folks traveling thru that part of the country and I suppose especially that / their ranch - according to my Uncle who is the former editor of the Denver Post - one of the brothers was finally hanged for an attempt on the life of the governor of Colorado (territory)
King Fisher was the leader of a notorious band of outlaws in the Nueces Strip of S. Texas next to the Mexican Border. Acciused of rape, robbery, murder, rustling, he had political control of a wide swath of S. Texas. He was killed in an ambush in a salooon in San Antonio with another famous gunfigher of the day, his friend Ben Thompson.
IOW, Luke didn’t make the short list.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.