Old West Outlaw List – U-V
The American West, a vast and untamed expanse during the 19th century, served as both a land of opportunity and a haven for those seeking to evade the constraints of civilization. Within this tumultuous era, a unique breed of individuals emerged: the outlaws. These figures, often romanticized in popular culture, represented a defiance of the established order, carving their own paths through a landscape fraught with danger and uncertainty. This article delves into the lives and exploits of Old West outlaws whose names begin with the letters "U" and "V," offering a glimpse into their motivations, actions, and ultimate fates. The Old West Outlaw List – U-V unveils a fascinating glimpse into a lawless era.
Francisco Ulibarri
Francisco Ulibarri occupies a unique space within the annals of Old West criminality. Unlike many of his contemporaries who operated outside the bounds of societal norms from a young age, Ulibarri’s background set him apart. He was a Comanche Indian, deeply rooted in the traditions and culture of his people. However, the turbulent landscape of the American West, with its relentless expansion and disregard for indigenous rights, drew Ulibarri into the world of outlawry.
Ulibarri’s notoriety stems primarily from his association with Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The White Caps, a vigilante group initially formed to protect the land rights of Hispanic farmers against encroaching Anglo-American settlers, eventually devolved into a criminal organization engaged in theft, violence, and murder. Silva, a charismatic and ruthless leader, exerted a powerful influence over his followers, including Ulibarri.
As a member of the White Caps, Ulibarri participated in numerous acts of violence and intimidation, contributing to the gang’s reign of terror in the Las Vegas area. His Comanche heritage likely lent him a unique skillset in tracking, horsemanship, and wilderness survival, making him a valuable asset to the gang’s operations. However, the details of Ulibarri’s specific crimes and his ultimate fate remain largely obscured by the passage of time and the limited historical records available. What is known is that he was a part of a gang that instilled fear in the hearts of many during a volatile period in New Mexico’s history. The Old West Outlaw List – U-V seeks to shed light on these forgotten figures.
David "Big Dave" Updyke (1830-1866)
The story of David "Big Dave" Updyke presents a perplexing paradox within the context of Old West justice. Updyke, born in 1830, was a man of considerable stature and influence, earning him the moniker "Big Dave." He arrived in the burgeoning territory of Idaho during a period of rapid growth and social upheaval, where the lines between law and lawlessness were often blurred.
Despite being reputed as the leader of a vicious gang of outlaws, Updyke managed to secure the position of sheriff of Ada County, Idaho, in 1865. This seemingly contradictory situation highlights the complexities of frontier justice, where reputation and personal connections often held more sway than formal qualifications. As sheriff, Updyke was tasked with upholding the law and maintaining order in a region rife with crime and violence.
However, Updyke’s past affiliations and alleged criminal activities continued to haunt him. On April 14, 1866, just a year after assuming his role as sheriff, Updyke was lynched by a mob of vigilantes. The charges against him were grave: allegedly aiding horse thieves and murderers. While the specific details of these accusations remain unclear, the fact that a sitting sheriff could be subjected to such extrajudicial violence speaks volumes about the prevailing distrust and lack of faith in the formal legal system. Updyke’s story serves as a stark reminder of the precarious nature of justice in the Old West, where accusations could quickly lead to fatal consequences. This entry in the Old West Outlaw List – U-V highlights the often-murky moral landscape of the time.
Leandro Urieta
Leandro Urieta’s story is a brief but tragic entry in the annals of New Mexico outlawry. He operated in a region marked by simmering tensions between Anglo-American settlers and the established Hispanic population, a conflict that frequently spilled over into violence and lawlessness. Urieta’s criminal activities brought him to the attention of Sheriff Mariano Barela, a lawman determined to maintain order in his jurisdiction.
On November 2, 1877, Sheriff Barela confronted Urieta in Mesilla, New Mexico. The circumstances surrounding the encounter remain somewhat unclear, but the confrontation ultimately resulted in Barela shooting and killing Urieta. The death of Urieta, while representing a victory for law enforcement, also underscored the harsh realities of frontier justice, where deadly force was often employed to resolve conflicts. Urieta’s story, though lacking in extensive detail, serves as a microcosm of the larger struggle for control and dominance that characterized the Old West. The Old West Outlaw List – U-V aims to document these lesser-known figures who nonetheless contributed to the era’s turbulent history.
Antonio Jose Valdez, aka El Mico, El Patas de Rana
Antonio Jose Valdez, known by the aliases "El Mico" (The Monkey) and "El Patas de Rana" (Frog Feet), presents a particularly intriguing case study in the complex world of Old West figures. Valdez occupies a space that straddles both sides of the law, serving as both an outlaw and a lawman during his tumultuous career.
Valdez’s initial foray into outlawry involved his membership in Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Like Francisco Ulibarri, Valdez participated in the gang’s criminal activities, contributing to their reign of terror in the region. However, Valdez’s story takes a dramatic turn when he ultimately betrayed Silva, shooting and killing him in the back. The motives behind this act of betrayal remain a subject of speculation, but it likely involved a combination of personal grievances, power struggles within the gang, and perhaps even a desire to escape the clutches of Silva’s criminal empire.
Following Silva’s death, Valdez was jailed for his involvement in the murder. However, he was later released, raising questions about the nature of justice in the region. In a surprising twist, Valdez was subsequently appointed the marshal of Wagon Mound, New Mexico, effectively transitioning from outlaw to lawman. This improbable turn of events highlights the fluid nature of identity and the pragmatic approach to law enforcement that often prevailed in the Old West. Valdez’s story is a testament to the complexities of human nature and the ever-shifting allegiances that defined the era. The Old West Outlaw List – U-V wouldn’t be complete without such a complex character.
Tiburcio Vasquez (1835-1875)
Tiburcio Vasquez is one of the most iconic and controversial figures in California’s Old West history. Born in 1835, Vasquez emerged as a charismatic leader of a gang of desperados who roamed the state for more than two decades, preying on wealthy landowners and challenging the authority of the Anglo-American establishment.
Vasquez’s motivations were complex, rooted in a deep sense of resentment towards the injustices suffered by the Californio population following the Mexican-American War. He saw himself as a defender of his people, fighting against the encroachment of Anglo-American settlers and the loss of their land and culture. While his actions often involved robbery, violence, and even murder, Vasquez maintained a romantic image in the eyes of many, becoming a symbol of resistance against oppression.
Vasquez’s exploits captured the imagination of the public, and he became a legendary figure, celebrated in ballads and stories that romanticized his outlaw life. However, his criminal activities also made him a target of law enforcement, and he was eventually captured and brought to justice. In 1875, Vasquez was hanged for his crimes, marking the end of an era of banditry and resistance in California. His legacy remains a subject of debate, with some viewing him as a ruthless criminal while others see him as a folk hero who fought for the rights of his people.
Hank Vaughan
Hank Vaughan, unlike many of the outlaws on this list, occupies a more ambiguous space in the history of the Old West. He was a gunfighter and a lawman, existing in the gray areas of morality that characterized the era. More information about Hank Vaughan can be added here.
Marcos Varela
Marcos Varela, as the nephew of Vicente Silva, was naturally drawn into the orbit of the White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Family ties often played a significant role in the formation and operation of outlaw gangs, and Varela’s connection to Silva undoubtedly influenced his decision to join the group. As a member of the White Caps, Varela participated in the gang’s criminal activities, contributing to their reputation for violence and intimidation. However, like many of the White Caps members, the details of Varela’s specific crimes and his ultimate fate remain largely obscure.
Cruz Vega
Cruz Vega’s story is a grim reminder of the brutal and often arbitrary nature of frontier justice. Vega, a New Mexico outlaw, was accused of murdering Reverend T.J. Tolby, a prominent religious figure in the region. The circumstances surrounding the murder remain unclear, but the accusation was enough to ignite the passions of the local community. On October 30, 1875, a mob of vigilantes seized Vega and lynched him in Cimarron, New Mexico. The lynching of Vega, without the benefit of a trial or due process, highlights the dangers of mob rule and the lack of legal safeguards in the Old West.
J.M. Vialpando and Juan de Dios Vialpando
J.M. Vialpando and Juan de Dios Vialpando, both members of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang, represent the rank-and-file members of these criminal organizations. Like many of their fellow gang members, the Vialpandos were drawn into the world of outlawry by a combination of factors, including economic hardship, social disenfranchisement, and the allure of power and belonging. Juan de Dios Vialpando’s fate was particularly tragic, as he was hanged in Santa Fe on November 19, 1895, for killing two men. His execution serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate consequences of choosing a life of crime in the Old West. The Old West Outlaw List – U-V provides a comprehensive look at the lives of these individuals.
The Old West Outlaw List – U-V offers a glimpse into the lives and exploits of individuals who defied the established order and carved their own paths through a landscape fraught with danger and uncertainty. Their stories, often shrouded in myth and legend, provide a fascinating window into the complexities of the American West and the enduring allure of the outlaw figure.