Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Real Life Gun Slingers of the Wild West
Am Shooting Journal ^ | 1/14/20 | P Erbitt

Posted on 01/14/2020 7:31:10 AM PST by w1n1

Gunfighters range from different occupations including lawman, outlaw, cowboy, exhibitionists and duelist, but are more commonly synonymous to a hired gun who made a living with his weapons in the Old West. Here are some of the top real-life deadly gunslingers from the wild west era.

Wyatt Earp - was an American Old West gambler, a deputy sheriff in Pima County, and deputy town marshal in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, who took part in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, during which lawmen killed three outlaw cowboys. Considered one of the most famous lawman of all time and an accomplished gunslinger.

Billy the Kid - was an American Old West gunfighter who participated in the New Mexico Territory’s Lincoln County War of 1878. He is known to have killed eight men. He was portrayed as a cold-blooded killer, history shows that he actually entered a life of crime out of necessity, not meanness.
According to historians people who knew him called him brave, resourceful, loyal, and possessing a remarkable sense of humor.

"Wild Bill" Hickock - was a folk hero of the American Old West known for his work across the frontier as a drover, wagon master, soldier, spy, scout, lawman, gunfighter, gambler, showman, and actor. Also, considered most skilled gunfighter of his time. Hickok gained a reputation for being handy with a gun after he killed outlaw David McCanles with a single bullet from 75 yards away. More accurately called a “shootist,” Hickok was one of the very few gunslingers who participated in actual, out-in-the-street "Western-style" quick-draw duels.

Curly Bill Brocius - was a gunman, rustler and an outlaw Cowboy in the Cochise County area of the Arizona Territory during the early 1880s. Brocius had a number of conflicts with the lawmen of the Earp family, and he was named as one of the individuals who participated in Morgan Earp’s assassination. Deputy U.S. Marshal Wyatt Earp and a group of deputies including his brother Warren Earp pursued those they believed responsible for Morgan’s death.

Dan Bogan - Bogan seemed to have a quick temper, and he was always on the lookout for a fight, which earned him a reputation as a troublemaker. It is believed that by 1886 this cowboy had taken the lives of three men. What’s more, Bogan’s rabblerousing didn’t end there, and on January 15, 1887 he murdered Constable Charles S. Gunn, shooting the onetime Texas Ranger with a revolver. While Bogan is not as well known as some of his contemporaries, author Robert K. DeArment considers him among the Old West's most underestimated gunslingers. Read the rest of gunslingers of the wild west.


TOPICS: History; Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: banglist; blogpimp; clickbait; gunslingers; wildwest

1 posted on 01/14/2020 7:31:10 AM PST by w1n1
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: w1n1

“Deputies” Bill Tilghman and Heck Thomas need to be in this list. Killed Doolins and Daltons in Indian Territory and Kansas. Bad dudes to mess with. They will hunt you down and kill you.


2 posted on 01/14/2020 7:45:17 AM PST by oldplayer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

I don’t know who some of those were but Tom Horn was a killer and was probably guilty of killing the 14 year old kid and deserved to be hanged.

They didn’t even mention the most efficient gunman of them all, John Wesley Hardin.


3 posted on 01/14/2020 7:46:17 AM PST by yarddog ( For I am persuaded.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

I forgot about Tom Horn.


4 posted on 01/14/2020 7:51:53 AM PST by wally_bert (Your methods were a little incomplete, you too for that matter.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

The worst feud in the history of this nation happened in AZ. The Pleasant Valley war resulted in the killing of over 50 people. It got so bad that if anyone who was simply passing through AZ would be hanged for no reason other than they couldnt answer which side they supported.

Tom Horn got involved in that one as did several others. The result was that it held up AZ statehood.


5 posted on 01/14/2020 7:55:57 AM PST by crz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

I think it was Clay Allison who said, “I didn’t want to send a man to hell on an empty stomach.”


6 posted on 01/14/2020 8:05:41 AM PST by karnage
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: crz

“...anyone who was simply passing through XX would be hanged for no reason other than they couldn’t answer which side they supported.”

Sounds like Philly, Chicago, Ferguson, Baltimore, Camden and a few dozen other libtard-run crapholes.


7 posted on 01/14/2020 8:08:20 AM PST by Carriage Hill (A society grows great when old men plant trees, in whose shade they know they will never sit.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: yarddog

Hardin was a ruthless killer but he shot a lot of people who couldn’t fight back.

Did he ever kill some one face to face without help.


8 posted on 01/14/2020 8:18:43 AM PST by crusher2013
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

They reinact the gunfight at the OK Corral, Tombstone Az, daily. It is worth the trip if you are out that way.

http://www.ok-corral.com/pages/visit.shtml


9 posted on 01/14/2020 8:23:18 AM PST by buffyt (~ It is not a CHOICE, it is a CHILD! ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

Bass Reeves belongs on that list - the first black U.S. Marshal to serve west of the Mississippi River. A former slave, illiterate but able to speak several Indian dialects made over 3000 arrests and killed 14 men resisting arrest. Once he had to arrest his own son for murder - if ever a movie role was made for Denzel Washington, it would be the story of Bass Reeves.


10 posted on 01/14/2020 8:28:26 AM PST by dainbramaged (Eenie meenie chili beanie, the spirits are about to speak!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: crusher2013

Hardin killed many face to face tho I don’t doubt he would give himself the edge in any way he could.

His first four were Union soldiers sent to kill him.


11 posted on 01/14/2020 8:47:53 AM PST by yarddog ( For I am persuaded.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

What about Porter Rockwell? Killed more men than Earp or Hitchcock put together.


12 posted on 01/14/2020 10:39:00 AM PST by 20yearvet (they yell for more tests as long as its your money)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: w1n1

I saw a documentary on tv last night called Shane.
He was quick! : )


13 posted on 01/14/2020 2:58:39 PM PST by minnesota_bound (homeless guy. He just has more money....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: yarddog
I don’t know who some of those were but Tom Horn was a killer...

I wouldn't call him a "gunslinger". He generally killed from ambush with a rifle.

14 posted on 01/14/2020 5:49:40 PM PST by MileHi (Liberalism is an ideology of parasites, hypocrites, grievance mongers, victims, and control freaks.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Bloggers & Personal
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson