Old West Outlaw List – B
The American Old West, a period romanticized in countless tales, was also a time of lawlessness and disorder. While many individuals sought fortune and a new life on the frontier, others took advantage of the sparse law enforcement and vast, untamed landscapes to pursue lives of crime. This article delves into the lives and deeds of some of the Old West Outlaw List – B, characters whose actions contributed to the turbulent history of the era. From New Mexico murderers to Texas rustlers and members of infamous gangs, these individuals represent a spectrum of criminal activity that plagued the expanding American West.
The following list provides a glimpse into the lives and misdeeds of individuals whose last names begin with the letter "B," offering a glimpse into the realities of life on the frontier, where justice was often swift and harsh, and the line between lawman and outlaw could be blurred. This Old West Outlaw List – B will offer a description of individuals who chose a life outside the law.
Abran Baca – The saga of Abran Baca begins in Socorro, New Mexico, in 1880. Along with his brothers Antonio and Onofre, Abran was implicated in the murder of Anthony Conklin. The three brothers were swiftly apprehended by the authorities. Antonio, in a desperate attempt to regain his freedom, tried to escape from jail on December 29, 1880, only to be shot dead by the guards. As Abran awaited trial and Onofre secured an acquittal, a vigilante committee, displeased with Onofre’s release, took matters into their own hands, lynching Abran. The incident highlights the volatile nature of justice in the Old West, where community sentiment often superseded formal legal proceedings.
Antonio Baca – Like his brother Abran, Antonio Baca was involved in the 1880 murder of Anthony Conklin in Socorro, New Mexico. Captured along with his brothers, Antonio’s fate was sealed during an escape attempt on December 29, 1880, when he was fatally shot by law enforcement officials. The Baca brothers’ story serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of violence and the often-brutal realities of frontier justice.
Onofre Baca – Completing the trio of Baca brothers involved in the Anthony Conklin murder in 1880 in Socorro, New Mexico, Onofre Baca found himself on trial after his brothers’ demise. While Antonio was killed during an escape attempt and Abran was lynched, Onofre managed to secure an acquittal in 1881. His case highlights the inconsistencies and sometimes unpredictable nature of justice in the Old West, where legal outcomes could be influenced by various factors, including community sentiment and the skills of the legal representatives involved.
Celso Baca – The records show Celso Baca as a murderer in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. In 1884, Celso Baca committed the violent act of beating Jose de la Cruz Sandoval to death.
Cruz Baca – Cruz Baca was responsible for the death of W.H. Allen of Hillsboro, New Mexico, in February 1887.
Jose Baca – A repeat offender, Jose Baca was incarcerated for the fifth time on November 19, 1906. His case reflects the cycle of crime and punishment that plagued some individuals in the West, where repeat offenses were not uncommon.
Manuel Baca – Manuel Baca played a crucial role in Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang in the 1890s. His chilling role was to act as the "Judge" who ordered the executions of gang members deemed disloyal. This position demonstrates the brutal internal dynamics of outlaw gangs and the ruthless methods they employed to maintain control.
Patricio Baca (18??-1875) – Patricio Baca was notorious for stealing horses in northern New Mexico Territory. He met his end in Chimayo in December 1875.
John Bailey – The Old West Outlaw List – B includes John Bailey, who met a violent end as a cattle rustler. Shot and killed by Texas Ranger P.E. Baird in Edward County, Texas, on July 29, 1884, Bailey’s fate illustrates the dangers faced by those who engaged in cattle theft and the determination of law enforcement to combat this widespread crime.
Alex Baker – Oklahoma outlaw Alex Baker faced justice when he was captured and brought in by U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves.
Cullen Montgomery Baker (1839-1868) – Cullen Montgomery Baker, a name synonymous with cold-blooded ruthlessness, carved a path of violence across the American Frontier. Refusing to accept the outcome of the Civil War, Baker ambushed Reconstructionists, murdered former slaves, and terrorized Texas and Arkansas. His actions reflect the deep-seated animosity and racial tensions that persisted in the aftermath of the war.
Frank Baker (18?? -1878) – Frank Baker’s story is one of shifting allegiances and the violent realities of the Lincoln County War. As an outlaw member of the Jesse Evans Gang and a deputy sheriff in Lincoln County, New Mexico, Baker found himself embroiled in the conflict. He rode in the posse that killed John Tunstall and was later killed by Billy the Kid on March 10, 1878. His death exemplifies the complex and often deadly nature of relationships in a region torn apart by violence.
Thurman “Skeeter” Baldwin (1867-19??) – Oklahoma outlaw Thurman "Skeeter" Baldwin was a member of the Cook Gang. After a bank robbery, he was captured and brought to justice.
"Cherokee" Bangs – This outlaw, known only as "Cherokee" Bangs, led a gang of cattle rustlers in Utah during the 1890s. He sometimes included Matt Warner in his operations.
"Kid" Bannister – "Kid" Bannister met his demise at the hands of a saloon proprietor, Tom Cook, in Oklahoma City.
Claude Barbee – The wanted Texas outlaw Claude Barbee was tracked down to a west Texas ranch by Deputy Hamilton. A gunfight erupted, resulting in the death of the lawman. Barbee fled, was captured, and then escaped. Pat Garrett pursued him, but Barbee managed to elude the lawman and make his way to California, where he lived under another name and died in the 1940s.
John Barber – After robbing a bank in Cisco, Texas, in 1887, John Barber fled to Oklahoma. U.S. Deputy Marshals Captain Gideon White and Barney Connelly later killed him.
John Barbour – An outlaw member of the Whitley-Cornett Gang of Texas in the 1880s, John Barbour was later killed in Indian Territory.
Santos Barela – This New Mexico outlaw, Santos Barela, was hanged on May 20, 1881, in Mesilla.
Clinton Barkley, aka Bill Bowen (18??-??) – A Texas gunman wanted for murder, Clinton Barkley soon found himself amid the Horrell-Higgins Feud.
Wesley Barnett – An outlaw in Indian Territory in the 1880s, Wesley Barnett was killed by lawmen in 1889.
Johnny Barnes (18??-1882) – A member of the Clanton Gang in Arizona, Johnny Barnes was shot and killed in 1882, allegedly by Wyatt Earp.
Seaborn Barnes, aka “Nubbin’s Colt” (1849-1878) – Seaborn Barnes joined the Sam Bass Gang in 1878. He was killed along with Bass at Round Rock, Texas, in 1878.
Calisto Barrera – A New Mexico outlaw, Calisto Barrera murdered John D. Bohn on August 16, 1882, near Sapello, New Mexico.
Will Barry – This name is an alias. See William Doolin.
Richard “Rattlesnake Dick” Barter, aka Dick Woods (1834-1859) – A California outlaw, Richard Barter made his living stealing horses and robbing mining camps. He was killed in a gunfight with a posse near Auburn, California, at the age of 26.
"Kid" Barton – A New Mexico outlaw, "Kid" Barton led a stage-robbing gang that operated at Raton Pass. He killed several people and was hanged in the late 1860s.
Jerry Barton – A gunfighter, Jerry Barton ran a saloon in Charleston, Arizona. At some point, he killed his partner and later, a Mexican man in 1881. He was imprisoned for the second killing.
Tucker Basham – Tucker Basham was an outlaw member of the James Gang.
Samuel “Sam” Bass (1851-1878) – Samuel Bass, the leader of the Sam Bass Gang, robbed stages in South Dakota and trains in Texas. He and another gang member, Seaborn Barnes, were killed at Round Rock, Texas, in 1878. The exploits of the Sam Bass Gang captivated the public imagination, solidifying Bass’s place in the mythology of the Old West.
Anne Bassett (1878-1956) – The daughter of ranch owners at Brown’s Hole, near the Wyoming, Colorado, and Utah border, Anne Bassett became a "member" of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch.
Captain Andrew T. Baugh – A Texas outlaw and cattle rustler, Captain Andrew T. Baugh was lynched in 1885 when caught with a herd of stolen cattle.
Melvin Baughan – When 32-year-old Pony Express employee Melvin Baughan committed murder, he was hanged on September 18, 1868, in Nemaha County, Kansas.
Edward H.O. “Ole” Beck, aka Edward Welch (18?? -1912) – After meeting Ben Kilpatrick in jail, Edward Beck joined the Wild Bunch. He and Kilpatrick were killed during a train robbery on March 13, 1912.
Frank Beck – An outlaw, Frank Beck helped murder Joe Hickson on October 28, 1884, at Good Hope, New Mexico.
William “Cyclone Bill” Ellison Beck – William Beck became a suspect in the robbery of an Army paymaster on May 11, 1889.
Courtney Belmont – A gunman and outlaw, Courtney Belmont rode with Matt Zimmerman in the 1880s in Nebraska.
Dick Belmont – A gunman and outlaw, Dick Belmont rode with Matt Zimmerman but went to Kansas after Matt was killed. He was later shot and killed.
"Choctaw" Bell – An outlaw member of the Langford Gang of Texas in the early 1880s, "Choctaw" Bell was killed by a posse in 1881.
Tom Bell – See Thomas J. Hodges.
Santos Benavides – Horsethief and murderer Santos Benavides was lynched in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on December 29, 1880.
Jules Beni (18?? -1861) – Jules Beni (sometimes referred to as Jules Reni) was a western outlaw who was the corrupt manager of the Central Overland, California & Pike’s Peak Express Company in Old Julesburg, Colorado.
George Bennett – An Outlaw member of the Bill Dalton gang, George Bennett was killed in 1893 at Longview, Texas, during a bank robbery.
Charley Bentley – A New Mexico outlaw, Charley Bentley escaped from jail at White Oaks, New Mexico, in March 1881.
James “Jim” F. Berry (1838-1877) – Outlaw member of the Black Hills Bandits, James Berry was caught by lawmen after the train robbery at Big Springs, Nebraska.
Benjamin F. Bickerstaff (18?? -1869) – A veteran Confederate guerilla soldier, Benjamin Bickerstaff looted Federal supplies throughout Texas. He was shot and killed by the citizens of Alvarado in April 1869.
Charles Bill – Charles Bill was run out of the New Mexico Territory on February 6, 1906.
John Billee (18?? -1890) – An outlaw operating in Indian Territory, John Billee murdered W.P. Williams with the help of Thomas Willis. Wanted for robbery and murder, he was captured by U.S. Deputy Marshals Will Ayers, James Wilkerson, and Perry DuVall and taken to Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was hanged on January 16, 1890.
Billy the Kid – See William Bonney.
Bil Bivins – A Wyoming outlaw, Bil Bivins was jailed for train robbery near Atlantic City in 1877.
Lige Bivins – Lige Bivins was a member of a gang of raiders in Bell, Texas, during the Civil War.
Black Bart – See Charles E. Bolton.
H. J. Bassett – A member of Selman’s Scouts following the turmoil of the Lincoln County War in New Mexico. He disappeared sometime after late November 1878.
Tom Bell – See Thomas J. Hodges.
Isaac “Ike” Black (18?? -1895) – An outlaw in Kansas and Oklahoma, Isaac Black was killed by a posse during a shootout in Oklahoma on August 1, 1895.
Jim Black – Jim Black was a train robber in the New Mexico Territory.
Pope Black – A New Mexico outlaw, Pope Black was shot and killed in the Florida Mountains while resisting arrest in December 1882.
Robert “Arkansaw” Black – When vigilantes caught up with Robert Black, he eluded lynching by challenging them to a fight.
Duncan “Tom” Blackburn (18??-??) – Duncan Blackburn robbed stagecoaches in 1877 in Deadwood, South Dakota. He disappeared after Boone May killed four bandits.
James Blackwell – A New Mexico outlaw, James Blackwell shot and killed W.B. Foster in Raton, New Mexico, on August 8, 1882.
Joe Blain – A New Mexico outlaw, Joe Blain shot and killed Joe Pitman in Luna Valley, New Mexico, on February 18, 1888.
William “Tulsa Jack” Blake (18?? -1895) – Blake was a cowboy in Kansas during the 1880s, but later, he wandered south into Oklahoma, and by late 1892, he had joined up with Bill Doolin’s Wild Bunch. During the next two years, he would be involved with several train and bank robberies with other gang members. The gang was finally tracked down in Major County, Oklahoma, on April 4, 1895, and U.S. Deputy William Banks killed him.
M. Blevins, aka: F.C. Marklin – After this Texas outlaw was captured and imprisoned, he escaped from the Texas penitentiary in 1884, at the age of twenty.
Kenry Blun – A New Mexico outlaw, Kenry Blun shot George C. Quaries on September 20, 1884, at Fairview, New Mexico.
Charley Bobtail – An Oklahoma bootlegger and horse thief, Charley Bobtail was arrested by Heck Thomas.
Dan Bogan – Having committed several crimes in Wyoming, Dan Bogan later made his way to Texas, where he was indicted for murder in 1881.
Gus Bogles (18?? -1888) – Convicted of murdering J.D. Morgan, Gus Bogles was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on July 6, 1888.
William James Bolt – A New Mexico outlaw, William James Bolt was hanged in Lincoln, New Mexico, on June 18, 1886.
G.C. Bolton – An Oklahoma cattle rustler, G.C. Bolton was captured by Sheriff Lake and Deputy Canton. Convicted, he was sent to prison in Lansing, Kansas.
William Bonney, aka Billy the Kid, Henry Antrim, Kid Antrim, William Antrim, Henry McCarty (1859-1881) – William Bonney, better known as Billy the Kid, was an outlaw and gunfighter who participated in the Lincoln County War in New Mexico. According to legend, he killed 21 men, but he is generally accepted to have killed between four and nine. Sheriff Pat Garrett killed him on July 14, 1881. This Old West Outlaw List – B entry could be one of the most well-known in the Old West.
William James “Joe” Boot (18??-??) – Little is known about this “one-hit” outlaw, whose name is remembered in history only because of his stage robbery with the lady bandit Pearl Hart. Though Hart was sentenced to just five years, Boot was sentenced to 30 years in the Yuma Territorial Prison. In 1901, he drove his wagon through the gate and disappeared. He was thought to have fled to Mexico, stayed there, and was never heard from again.
Narciso Borjoques (18?? -1871) – A California killer and robber, Narciso Borjoques usually murdered his victims with a shot in the head. He was shot and killed in a saloon brawl in 1871 while on the run for murdering and burning the bodies of a rancher & his family.
Dutch Henry Borne (1849-1921) – The leader of a group of horse and mule thieves who operated in Kansas, Texas, and Indian Territory in the 1870s.
William Boucher – An outlaw and cowboy of Tombstone, Arizona, William Boucher was suspected of stage robbery and killed on March 25, 1888, by Sheriff Billy Breakenridge’s posse.
Charles “Charlie” Bowdre (1848-1880) – A friend to Billy the Kid, Charlie fought alongside him in the Lincoln County War. Though not known to have been involved in outlaw activities, his relationship with the gang made him suspect.
Ben Bowlegs, aka Ben Billy Williams – Oklahoma outlaw Ben Bowlegs was captured by Bass Reeves.
Charley Bowlegs – Son of Seminole Chief Billy Bowlegs, Charley was wanted for murder. He committed suicide.
Charles E. Bowles, aka Black Bart, Charles E. Boles, T.Z. Spalding (1830-1917?) – Best known as Black Bart, this Old West outlaw was noted for his poetic messages left after his robberies. He was a gentleman bandit and one of the most notorious stagecoach robbers to operate in and around Northern California and southern Oregon during the 1870s and 1880s.
Reuben “Rube” H. Boyce – An outlaw in Kimble County, Texas, Reuben Boyce led a gang of rustlers. He was arrested for murder on January 24, 1878.
Thomas M. Boyd, Jr. – A New Mexico outlaw, Thomas Boyd shot and killed John Foundation in Lake Valley on August 15, 1884.
Robert H. Boyle, aka Homsburg – A New Mexico outlaw, Robert Boyle shot Pat Slavin in Magdalena, New Mexico, on May 28, 1881.
"Sport" Boyle – A gunman and outlaw, "Sport" Boyle was a member of the Dodge City Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Adam Brady – An outlaw in Indian Territory, Adam Brady was brought in by U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves.
Jack Brady – An outlaw in 1892, Jack Brady stole $50,000 from a Wells Fargo stagecoach and was killed by a detective.
Abner Brasfield – At 22, Abner Brasfield killed Arkansas Justice of the Peace Bill Hamm when the two were arguing over land. The fleeing murderer was later captured and served four years in an Arkansas prison. After his release, he served as a peace officer in Eufaula, Oklahoma.
William Brazelton (18??-1878) – William Whitney Brazelton, also known as “Brazen Bill,” was a stagecoach robber who operated in Arizona and New Mexico in the days of the Wild West.
Henry Brent – Henry Brent was run out of Bannack, Montana by vigilantes. He was later killed during a fight with Indians.
Joseph Brinster – A Texas outlaw, Joseph Brinster was hanged in Isleta, Texas, on July 5, 1883.
Richard “Dick” Broadwell, aka Texas Jack, John Moore (18?? -1892) – A member of the Dalton Gang, Richard Broadwell was killed in the Coffeyville, Kansas raid on October 5, 1892.
William B. “Curly Bill” Brocious (1845-1882) – An outlaw leader of the Clanton Gang of Arizona, Curly Bill was a vicious, drunken gunman, cattle rustler, and murderer. After the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, Brocious attempted to kill Virgil Earp and succeeded in assassinating Morgan Earp. Wyatt soon caught up with him and killed him on March 24, 1882.
Leonard Brock, aka Calvert Brock, Will Waldrip, Joe Jackson, Henry Davis (1860-1890) – Born on July 13, 1860, Leonard Brock and his brother, W.L., joined the Burrow Gang in 1888 and aided the notorious brothers in several train robberies in Texas and Alabama.
"Bronco Charlie" – A Montana outlaw, "Bronco Charlie" was lynched by vigilantes near Miles City in the late 1880s.
William “Billy” L. Brooks, aka: “Buffalo Bill” (1832-1874) – A lawman turned outlaw, William Brooks was lynched in Caldwell, Kansas in 1874.
Hank Brophy – Hank Brophy was a cattle rustler in New Mexico.
Ben Brown – Ben Brown was an Oklahoma member of the Christian Gang.
George W. Brown (18?? -1864) – An alleged outlaw, George Brown was said to have been associated with Henry Plummer’s gang of Innocents. On January 4, 1864, he and Erastus “Red” Yager were the first two victims of the newly organized Montana Vigilantes. They were hanged in Laurin, Montana, about 11 miles northwest of Virginia City.
Henry Newton Brown (1857-1884) – A member of Billy the Kid’s Gang, Henry Brown eventually became a lawman and became the city marshal of Caldwell, Kansas. Later, he turned again and was hanged.
Hoodoo Brown (18??-??) – See Hyman G. Neill.
Joseph Brown (18?? -1844) – Along with John McDaniel, Joseph Brown plundered Mexican wagon trains on the Santa Fe Trail and was hanged in St. Louis, Missouri, on August 16, 1844.
Robert C. “Bob” Brown – Robert Brown, along with a gang of thieves, attempted to rob a train at Fairbanks, Arizona, in 1900. He was captured and sent to prison at Yuma. After his release, he disappeared.
"Long-Haired Sam" Brown – A gunman and outlaw in the Nevada mining camps, "Long-Haired Sam" Brown killed 15 men and was shot and killed on July 7, 1861.
W.E. Brown – A Texas outlaw, W.E. Brown was shot and killed by Sheriff Turnbo on September 6, 1887, in Pecos, Texas.
William “Billy” Brown – A gunman, William Brown killed his best friend, Robert Tate, on August 19, 1880, near Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Brown claimed that he was trying to defend himself against a man who had threatened his life and fired at a shadowy figure moving toward him, not knowing that it was his friend. Later, he was arrested in Texas and hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on September 9, 1881.
William Browning – A train robber in Illinois in the 1900s, William Browning was killed in Texas while robbing a bank.
"Tex" Brunton – With the law on his tail, "Tex" Brunton fled from Texas to California and Oklahoma.
Charles “Charlie” Bryant, aka Black Face Charlie (18?? -1891) – A member of the Dalton Gang, Charles Bryant was killed in a gunfight with U.S. Deputy Marshal Edward Short, which left both men dead.
Roscoe “Rustling Bob” Bryant – A former John Kinney Gang member, Roscoe Bryant became a member of Selman’s Scouts following the turmoil of the Lincoln County War in New Mexico. He was shot and killed by other members of Selman’s Scouts in October 1878 near Seven Rivers, New Mexico.
Rufus Buck (18?? -1896) – A Creek Indian who had served time for minor offenses in the Fort Smith, Arkansas jail, Rufus Buck decided to make a name for himself in the summer of 1895. Forming the Buck Gang, he and four other men began to stockpile weapons before going on a ten-day murder and robbery spree in Indian Territory. All five members were hanged at Fort Smith on July 1, 1896.
James “Coal Oil Jimmy” Buckley (18?? -1871) – A stage robber and murderer in northern New Mexico. In 1871, he called Elizabethtown, New Mexico, home and led a series of stagecoach holdups on the road to Cimarron. His career was cut short when the town posted a $3,000 “dead or alive” reward. He was soon shot down for the reward.
Laura Bullion, aka Della Rose, Rose of the Wild Bunch (1876?-19??) – The girlfriend of Ben Kilpatrick, Laura Bullion rode with the Wild Bunch. She was imprisoned in 1901. When she was released, she lived the last years of her life in Memphis, Tennessee.
Eugene Bunch, aka Captain J. F. Gerard (18?? -1892) – A school teacher who turned to train robbery, Eugene Bunch was always a gentleman when he robbed trains for four years.
William “Billy” Bunton – A Montana stage station manager, William Bunton was thought to have been the second in Command of Henry Plummer’s gang of Innocents. Montana Vigilantes hung him.
William Burbridge – A New Mexico outlaw, William Burbridge shot and killed William Heine on April 12, 1881, in San Marcial.
Pete Burleson – Pete Burleson shot and killed Tom Driscoll in Springer, New Mexico, on January 16, 1884. Driscoll died 16 days later.
Jim Burrow (18?? -1888) – Brother of Rube Burrow, Jim was captured and jailed in 1888. He died in jail of natural causes.
Reuben “Rube” Houston Burrow (1854-1889) – Leader of the Burrows Gang, who operated in Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Alabama. He was killed on October 7, 1890. The name Old West Outlaw List – B can be related to Reuben "Rube" Houston Burrow.
Sam Burt – Montana Vigilantes lynched Sam Burt on December 17, 1875.
Matthew “Matt” Burts (18??-??) – A lawman and outlaw, Matthew Burts rode with Burton Alvord, Billie Stiles, and the Owens brothers. He was murdered in California in 1925.
Sheppard Busby – An ex-deputy marshal, Sheppard Busby shot and killed U.S. Deputy Marshal Barney Connelly when the lawman tried to arrest him for adultery. Busby was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on April 27, 1892.
John Buster – A New Mexico outlaw, John Buster killed William Holland in Seven Rivers in December 1884.
This Old West Outlaw List – B provides a glimpse into the lives of those who operated outside the bounds of the law. The tales of these individuals continue to fascinate and contribute to the complex narrative of the American West.