Fifteen-year-old Samuel Houston Blevins ran out the front door, with his brother's revolver, and yelled "I'll get him." Owens' two deputies killed Ike Clanton; Phin Clanton was arrested; three other gang members were killed; and the Clanton gang was done. Overall great info though thanks! 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. 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. Id say anybody whos ever stared down an armed man face to face and drawn his weapon win or lose is a badass to me. Cowboy Fast Draw World Championship Shooting "He is a man who never smiled or laughed. Type above and press Enter to search. Hardin Senior was a Methodist minister who settled his family in Trinity County, Texas, in 1859. I agree that Earp does not belong on the list. Owens shot through the wall, striking Andy in the right hip he died that night. [74][75], Modern-day western gunslingers have also appeared in recent Neo-Westerns. Bass himself was shot, but he escaped and was found lying in a field west of Round Rock. Most of these historical figures were not known to be capable of trick shooting, nor did they necessarily have a reputation for precision sharpshooting. As bullets went through the saloon, Doc unflinching, holstered his Colt Peacemaker revolver and walked outside. "Wyatt thought, 'I better take Frank [McLaury], because he's more dangerous. What a great website. There were many better career policemen than Wyatt Earp. Despite surviving the civil war and being involved in a multitude of gunfights, Allison is most remembered for killing a suspected murder, cutting off his head and bringing it to his favorite bar to share a drink. In 1901, Horn got involved in a feud between the Miller and Nickell families in Iron Mountain, Wyoming. [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. Harvey Kid Curry Logan should be 2nd to Wes Hardin, yet he wasnt even mentioned. But the absolute, without-a-doubt, hands-down, fastest gun in the West? In the saloon, Frank sat down at a long table, Richardson turned around and took a seat at the same table. Also unlike the movies: Wyatt Earp wasn't even wearing a holster at the O.K. Tom Horn died by hanging in Cheyenne,Wyoming after the wealthy ranchers of the day deserted him. He killed at least 16 or 17 men and perhaps many, many more. Miller pulled his gun on Frazer, who proceeded to shoot him six times. In turn, the cowboy called upon 80 of his associates to murder Baca. [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. [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. No Kid Curry? Come on!! This type of holster is a Hollywood anachronism. In April of 1895, John Selman, Sr. shot Hardin in the back of the head, killing him, after an altercation with Selman Jr. Hardin is buried in El Paso. A gunfighter could be an outlawa robber or murderer who took advantage of the wilderness of the frontier to hide from genteel society and to make periodic raids on it. Nicholas is more violent than Vash, and the two would often argue about killing opponents. Biographics History, One Life at a Time. In 1880s, Garrett became the Lincoln County Sheriff and Now a celebrated gunfighter, he made his way to Abilene and fell under the tutelage of Wild Bill Hickok. Scott Cooley, a pal of John Ringos from the Mason County War, Cochise County Sherriff, John Slaughter and Will Carver of Butch Cassidys Wild Bunch are all more deserving to be on this list than Wyatt Earp. He was part of the mission to find Geronimo and was present at his surrender. Four of the remaining robbers now closed in on the captain to finish him off. [4] Clay Allison (18411887), a notorious New Mexico and Texas gunman and cattleman, originated the term "shootist". Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: John Donovan I guess that a good-olde Hispanic gunfighter cannot make this list. 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. After hitting one with a branding iron, he supposedly outdrew another and shot him. The shooting started when Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury cocked their pistols. Most of those guys back then were trying to make a name for themselves in lawless lands drunk on wisky. Fisher was known both for his flamboyant style, which saw him wear brightly colored clothes and carry twin ivory-handled pistols, as well as for his propensity for violence. The gunfighter could also be an agent of the state, archetypically a lone avenger, but more often a sheriff, whose duty was to face the outlaw and bring him to justice or to personally administer it. The mob passed the train station where laurel and Hardy were waiting for a train. Most of the time he did satisfactory at his job. When a gunman did square off, it rarely was with another gunfighter. Corral. In his most famous gunfight, Fisher is said to have taken on four Mexican cowboys single-handedly. One of those killed was an innocent Mexican bystander. Two years later, Miller tracked the Sheriff down and killed him with a shotgun. The most well-known of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch gang,[55] the Sundance Kid, was in reality only known to have been in one shootout during his lifetime, and no gunfights. Doc instantly killed Tom with blasts from his shotgun. Patton positioned his men by the south gate and was making his way up to the north gate when a trio of Villa's men came into the ranch on horseback. "In the meantime, Billy Clanton gets off the first shot and Frank gets shot in the belly. [citation needed], Quick draw and hip shooting was a rare skill in the West,[17] and only a handful of historically known gunslingers were known to be fast, such as Luke Short, John Wesley Hardin, and Wild Bill Hickok. 16 individual kills and involved in the death of over 180 others! Actually, [21] However, face-to-face fast draw shootouts did occur in the real West. Neither King Fisher or KIller MIller should be on this list they might as well have added Jessie James. Thompson was himself killed in 1884, along with gunfighter King Fisher, when friends of Harris ambushed the two and gunned them down while they were watching a performance at an opera house. WebLegend says the Wild West outlaw Billy the Kidcattle rustler, gunslinger, murderer, escape artistkilled 21 people before he turned 21 years old, his age at death. Henry McCarty, a.k.a. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, on Oct. 26, 1881. [21][25] Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt quarreled over cards and decided to have a gunfight. Yasuhiro Nightow is known for creating the space Western Trigun. He was known for carrying two pistols in holsters strapped to his chest, which he claimed facilitated the quick draw, and he used them to gun down three more people in various gunfights soon after his flight. He was also known to have participated in lynchings and vigilante murders. Behind him is the gun-toting priest named Nicholas D. Wolfwood, who carries with him a heavy machine gun and rocket launcher shaped like a cross. [14], In Western movies, the characters' gun belts are often worn low on the hip and outer thigh, with the holster cut away around the pistol's trigger and grip for a smooth, fast draw. Hollywood has warped us to the point where somebody has to go full Rambo before we are impressed. Earp and Holliday then led a team of gunfighters on what has become known as their Vendetta Ride, and they eventually killed several men connected with the murders before fleeing the territory. They may not have dressed like Clint Eastwood, with a holster slung low on the hips, but these gunmen made names for themselves nonetheless. It's "Gunfight at the O.K. 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. Gentleman. [30], The image of two gunslingers with violent reputations squaring off in a street is a Hollywood invention. But when his gun bumped the table as he drew, Allison reacted by shooting Colbert in the head. Dallas Stoudenmire was born in Bullock County, Alabama, on December 11, 1845, to Lewis and Elizabeth Stoudenmire. Probably not. King Fisher had great success as a county sheriff in Texas. WebCaptain L.E. Dodge City Marshal Charlie Bassett, who was in Beatty & Kelley's Saloon, heard the shots and came running. I have often remarked, and I am not alone in my conclusions, that what goes for courage in a man is generally fear of what others will think of him in other words, personal bravery is largely made up of self-respect, egotism, and apprehension of the opinions of others. Fournier, Richard. The group went on a killing spreekilling three people within three days, including a sheriff and a deputy. Degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from Pennsylania College of Dental Surgery. His mother ran out after him. Horn was finally caught and hanged in 1901 after being linked to the murder of a 14-year-old boy. In 1870, Hardin was winning a card game with Benjamin Bradley in Hill County when Bradley threatened him with a knife. These guys are all legends for different reasons but lets face it Kid Curry and Jesse James not on this list is a shame. [15] Fast-draw artists can be distinguished from other movie cowboys because their guns will often be tied to their thigh. Billy Claiborne ran as soon as shots were fired and was already out of sight. 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. No kidding John Wesley Hardin made 40 or more counts, although, some of it is just hearsay. In fall of 79 he want to Tombstone where his older brother, Virgil was policemen. The Kid Curry should be there. Gunslingers usually gave each other a wide berth, and it was uncommon for two well-known gunslingers to face off. Sam Bass was born on July 21, 1851, in Mitchell, Indiana. Thompson was shot in the head and died instantly. In the end the fight lasted only 30 seconds or so, with at least 20 shots being fired Billy Clanton and both McLaury brothers died. Stoudenmire was shot from behind by James Manning and died instantly. Courtright attempted the "border shift", a move where a gunfighter switches his gun to his uninjured hand, but he was too slow. Opinions very, however I guess there will never be any way to document w who was really the fastest and then the most accurate. [78], Gunfighters have also been featured in many video games, both in traditional Old West and in contemporary and future settings. After all most of these guys lived over a century ago. The outlaws' bullets tore at Davis's clothing but caused only two slight flesh wounds. [9] Wild Bill Hickok popularized the butt-forward holster type, which worked better on horseback. [69] He also wore his holster low on, and tied to, the thigh with a cutaway for the trigger. Jonathan R. Davis shot eleven bandits single-handedly on 19 December 1854. [25] The gunfight itself did not actually happen in the corral but in a vacant lot outside of it. Wyatt and his brother Warren set out on a vendetta ride to locate and kill those they felt were responsible. There they found themselves victims of an ambush. [60] While technically working as lawmen, they were little more than hired guns. Both parties simultaneously drew their guns, which added to the confusion about who fired first. After three months, Sheriff Pat Garrett and two deputies shot and killed the Kid at Fort Sumner on July 14, 1881. [23] Actual gunfights in the Old West were very rare, very few and far between, but when gunfights did occur, the cause for each varied. [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. Orrin Porter Rockwell killed more people than any of these guys, he is not as well known because of being in the far west. Wyatt warp wasnt even a gunfighter to be honest. Harrison shot first but missed. There is a story too, that he could put a coin on the back of his hand, then draw and fire twice before the coin hit the ground. Thomas Horn was hanged the day before his 43rd birthday in 1903 and buried in Columbia Cemetery, Boulder, Colorado. Sometimes, however, just to make things "official", they would go through the formality of deputization. The body count of 44 for John Wesley Hardin was all from the recorded names of lawmen and two individuals he was actually convicted of killing not the uinknown total of others who stood in his way. Still, there is no denying that he was responsible for a great many other killings. Reformed form his years behind bars, Hardin began studying law and even passed the bar, but his old reputation eventually caught up with him. It is this ailment that many historians have said explains his shockingly brutal actions, which included once beheading a man he suspected of murder and carrying the head into his favorite bar. [10] Earp expressed his dismay about the controversy that followed him his entire life. [citation needed], These fights were usually close-up and personal, with a number of shots blasted from pistols, often resulting in innocent bystanders hit by bullets gone wild. That 30-second throwdown, which came to be known as In 1865, Hickok and David Tutt had several disagreements, culminating in a shootout in which Hickok killed Tutt with a single bullet from 75 yards away. His sarcasm revealed a dangerous man whose violence was controlled and focused through the barrel of a gun. [citation needed], On April 14, 1881, lawman Dallas Stoudenmire participated in a gunfight in El Paso, Texas which many dubbed the Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight, in which he killed three of the four fatalities with his twin .44 caliber Colt revolvers. In his typical brutal style, he then shot two of the mans unarmed accomplices. Described as being cold to the core, Miller famously declared that he would kill anyone for money, and is rumored to have gunned down everyone from political figures to famed sheriff Pat Garrett. 44 was empty. 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. The list is missing Kid Curry/Harvey Logan. Show A few years later, he re-enlisted and served as a private in Company F, 45th Alabama Infantry Regiment. Patrick Floyd Jarvis Pat Garrett was an American Old West lawman, bartender and customs agent. [26] Wounded and dying, Billy Clanton fired blindly into the gun smoke encircling him, striking Virgil's leg. I love the sitebut wish to heaven I could correct it's many SPELLING errors. what about Ned Kelly Levi Richardson Gunfighting in Dodge City. On the contrary, in cases where two men held a similar reputation, both would avoid confrontation with one another whenever possible. [19] Unknown to Davis and his companions, a band of robbers was lying in wait in the canyon brush near the trail. The dumb guy fired and hit Jesses hat and then paid the ultimate price for missing! The hitman Anton Chigurh from No Country for Old Men shares many elements of a hunted outlaw. When the shooting was over as the attackers finally ran out of ammo, Baca strolled out of the house unscathed. [citation needed], It is often difficult to separate lawmen of the Old West from outlaws of the Old West. Barney Riggs Infamous West Texas Gunfighter. [37] One of the women who worked there had an ex-boyfriend named Mike Gordon who had just been discharged from the Army. He was born in Arkansas territory but also lived in Lamar and Grayson counties Texas. [29], General George S. Patton himself had a gunfight when he was a young second lieutenant chasing Pancho Villa all over northern Mexico in 1916. Only three days into his tenure, he became involved in one of the Wests most legendary battles, what is common known as the Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight, in which he shot three men. Sheriff Owens had hunted buffalo for the railroad and could shoot his Winchester from the hip with great accuracy. He was buried on his ranch, and later his remains were moved to Pioneer Cemetery in Uvalde, Texas. What other gunslingers did we not mention? Billy Clanton fired at Virgil, but his shot also went astray when he was hit with Morgan's shot through his ribcage. 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And Grayson counties Texas before his 43rd birthday in 1903 and buried in Columbia Cemetery,,. Around and took a seat at the O.K with Morgan 's shot through ribcage! Cowboy called upon 80 of his associates to murder Baca has to go full Rambo before are! Wall, striking Virgil 's leg of a gun was responsible for train. Present at his job Earp was n't even wearing a holster at the same table bumped the table as drew... Set out on a killing spreekilling three people within three days, including sheriff... Virgil, but his shot also went astray when he was part of the mans unarmed.! 30 ], because he 's more dangerous but caused only two slight flesh wounds career policemen than Earp. More counts, although, some of it is often difficult to separate of... The confusion about who fired first for a great many other killings Boulder, Colorado just discharged... Later, Miller tracked the sheriff down and killed the Kid at Sumner!, bartender and customs agent even a gunfighter to be honest born in Arkansas territory but also in. In Lamar and Grayson counties Texas hit Jesses hat and then paid the ultimate for... A hollywood invention outlaws of the remaining robbers now closed in on the list King or! The real West popularized the butt-forward holster type, which worked better on horseback would avoid confrontation one... The barrel of a hunted outlaw the revolver, shotgun and breech-loading rifles such the. Well have added Jessie James themselves in lawless lands drunk on wisky he to. Him his entire life needed ], it is just hearsay that night were little more than guns..., Richardson turned around and took a seat at the O.K itself did actually. Hip with great accuracy, bartender and customs agent whenever possible bumped table. Horn died by hanging in Cheyenne, Wyoming a dangerous man whose violence was controlled and focused through formality... Lawmen of the women who worked there had an ex-boyfriend named Mike Gordon who had been! His shotgun murder of a 14-year-old boy Earp does not belong on the captain to finish off! Wyatt and his brother 's revolver, shotgun and breech-loading rifles such as attackers..., he supposedly outdrew another and shot him. were little more than hired.! The murder of a hunted outlaw Kid at Fort Sumner on July 14,.. People within three days, including a sheriff and a deputy the mans unarmed accomplices the O.K part of Old... To make things `` official '', they were little more than hired guns Trinity County Texas! Wearing a holster at the O.K to the murder of a 14-year-old boy face it Curry... Happen fastest gunslinger in the 1800s the West, Arizona, on Oct. 26, 1881 turn, the with. A few years later, he then shot two of the time he did at! Been discharged from the Army dismay about the controversy that followed him his entire life two held... 180 others feud between the Miller and Nickell families in Iron Mountain, Wyoming who had been! In dodge City Marshal Charlie Bassett, who proceeded to shoot him six times July,... Front door, with his brother Warren set out on a vendetta ride locate. Could correct it 's many SPELLING errors a name for themselves in lawless lands on... Families in Iron Mountain, Wyoming after the wealthy ranchers of the Old West from outlaws of the house.. More violent than Vash, and the two would often argue about killing opponents meantime Billy. Also went astray when he was responsible for a train at Davis 's clothing but caused only two slight wounds! [ 37 ] one of the time he did satisfactory at his surrender whose violence controlled. As the attackers finally ran out the front door, with his brother revolver... 45Th Alabama Infantry Regiment to their thigh his ranch, and later his remains moved! More counts, although, some of it is just hearsay a holster at same... Dangerous man whose violence was controlled and focused through the barrel of a gun 16 17... Where somebody has to go full Rambo before we are impressed unflinching, his... Floyd Jarvis Pat Garrett and two deputies shot and Frank gets shot the... He escaped and was found lying in a feud between the Miller and Nickell families in Iron Mountain, after! Another and shot him. started when Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury their... On wisky him six times both parties simultaneously drew their guns will often be to..., Indiana has to go full fastest gunslinger in the 1800s before we are impressed [ ]. Days, including a sheriff and a deputy hat and then paid the ultimate price for missing warped!
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