Old West Outlaw List – W
The era of the Old West, a period steeped in romanticism and grit, was also a breeding ground for figures who defied the law. These outlaws, whether driven by desperation, greed, or a thirst for adventure, left their mark on the landscape and lore of the American frontier. This list delves into the lives and deeds of some of the outlaws whose names begin with the letter "W," offering a glimpse into their motivations, crimes, and ultimate fates.
William Albert “Kid” Wade (1862-1884): William Albert Wade, better known as "Kid" Wade, carved a niche for himself in the annals of outlaw history through his proficiency in horse theft. Operating primarily in the northern reaches of Nebraska and the Dakotas, Wade initially aligned himself with the infamous Doc Middleton. As his confidence and ambition grew, he eventually struck out on his own, forming his own gang and solidifying his reputation as a skilled and daring horse thief. However, Wade’s criminal career was cut short when he was captured and lynched in Bassett, Nebraska, in February 1884, a stark reminder of the harsh justice meted out in the Old West. The story of Old West Outlaw List – W includes the tale of Kid Wade.
Fredrick Tecumseh “Fred” Waite (1853-1895): Fredrick Tecumseh Waite’s story is one of complex identity and shifting allegiances. Born into the Chickasaw Nation, Waite’s life took a dramatic turn when he became embroiled in the Lincoln County War in New Mexico. For a brief period, he associated with Billy the Kid’s gang and served as a gunfighter for the Regulators, a faction involved in the bloody conflict. However, Waite’s path eventually diverged from that of an outlaw. He transitioned into a role of upholding the law, serving as a lawman and later becoming a prominent politician. This transformation underscores the fluid nature of identity and opportunity in the Old West, where individuals could move between the realms of lawlessness and law enforcement. Old West Outlaw List – W shows a man who changed his life.
Joe Walker (1850-1898): Joe Walker’s trajectory followed a more traditional outlaw path. He began his criminal activities by rustling cattle alongside other outlaws in Utah. This initial foray into lawlessness led him to join forces with the notorious Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch, a gang known for their daring bank robberies and other criminal exploits. Walker’s involvement with the Wild Bunch solidified his reputation as a dangerous outlaw. His career was abruptly ended in May 1898, when he was shot and killed by a posse in Thompson, Utah, bringing his life of crime to a violent close.
William Walker (Dates Unknown): The name William Walker appears multiple times in the records of Old West outlaws, highlighting the challenges of historical accuracy and the potential for confusion. One William Walker is identified as an outlaw and the alleged leader of the Missouri "Bald Knobbers," a vigilante group with a membership reportedly exceeding 400 individuals. The Bald Knobbers, operating under the guise of maintaining order, often resorted to violence and intimidation, blurring the lines between law enforcement and outright lawlessness. This William Walker was hanged in May 1889 in Ozark, Missouri, for his role in the group’s activities.
William Walker (Dates Unknown): Another William Walker met a similar fate, though for a different crime. This Walker was convicted of killing Calvin Church in the Choctaw Nation of Indian Territory in December 1888. He admitted to the murder but claimed he had been hired to do so, receiving a meager sum of ten dollars and two quarts of whiskey as payment. Despite his claims of being a hired gun, Walker was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on August 30, 1889, paying the ultimate price for his crime.
William Wall: William Wall’s association with the Wild Bunch placed him firmly within the ranks of notorious outlaws. However, his criminal career was interrupted by capture and imprisonment. Wall’s story takes a slight turn when he was released from prison on January 11, 1900, alongside fellow outlaw Matt Warner, offering a glimpse into the complexities of the justice system in the Old West and the potential for redemption, however slim.
Dan Wallace, aka: Texas Dan: Known as "Texas Dan," Dan Wallace was a Texas outlaw whose criminal activities centered around robbery and murder. His capture followed the robbery and killing of a rancher near San Antonio in the late 1880s, a crime that likely led to his swift apprehension and punishment.
William E. Walters, aka Bill Anderson, Billy Brown, Bronco Billy (1869-1921): "Bronco Bill" Walters’ life exemplifies the allure and dangers of the outlaw life. He may have begun as a cowboy and railroader, but the lure of quick riches drew him to a life of crime. He became a train and stagecoach robber. Old West Outlaw List – W contains a man known as Bronco Bill.
Charles G. Walrath: Charles G. Walrath’s name is simply associated with the act of shooting and killing William Shook, an act that led to Walrath’s execution by hanging.
Bill Warderman: Bill Warderman is identified as a member of the Black Jack Ketchum Gang, placing him within a well-known group of outlaws operating in the Southwest.
Matt Warner: The entry for Matt Warner directs readers to Willard Erastus Christianson, suggesting that Warner was an alias used by Christianson, adding a layer of complexity to the outlaw’s identity.
George Washington: The historical record simply notes that George Washington, a New Mexico outlaw, was lynched in June 1882 in Lincoln, New Mexico, a stark reminder of the extrajudicial justice that was sometimes meted out in the Old West.
James Wasson (Dates Unknown -1886): James Wasson’s criminal history involved murder and eluding capture for an extended period. He was wanted for the 1872 murder of Henry Martin but managed to evade law enforcement until 1884. His capture was triggered by another act of violence, the killing of Almarine Watkins in Oklahoma. Wasson was ultimately brought to justice and hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on April 23, 1886.
Ellen Watson, aka Cattle Kate (1861-1889): Ellen Watson, known as "Cattle Kate," is a tragic figure in the history of the Old West. Accused of cattle rustling by those involved in the Johnson County War in Wyoming, Watson was likely innocent. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of vigilante justice and the ease with which reputations could be destroyed in the lawless environment of the frontier.
John Watts: John Watts is briefly mentioned as a cattle rustler who was killed by the militia in New Mexico in March 1883.
Gilbert Webb and Wilfred Webb: Gilbert and Wilfred Webb are listed as being arrested for complicity in the robbery of an Army paymaster at Fort Thomas, Arizona, on May 11, 1889.
John Joshua (J.J.) Webb (1847-1882): J.J. Webb’s story is another example of the blurred lines between law and lawlessness in the Old West. He served as a Deputy Marshal in Dodge City, Kansas, before moving to Las Vegas, New Mexico. In Las Vegas, he became a "crooked lawman" when the Dodge City Gang was in control, demonstrating the corruption that could permeate law enforcement in certain areas.
George “Red Buck” Weightman (Dates Unknown -1896): "Red Buck" Weightman’s reputation as a horse thief and killer preceded his association with the Doolin Gang. He was killed by lawmen near Arapahoe, Oklahoma, in 1896.
Charles Knox Polk Wells (1851-1896): Charles Knox Polk Wells, by his own admission, was an outlaw and murderer. Originally from Missouri, Wells allegedly killed over thirty men, including an uncle and a jailer. He robbed banks and trains. Wells was convicted of murder in May 1882 and received a life sentence, dying in an Iowa prison.
Henry Wells: Henry Wells is simply identified as an Oklahoma outlaw who rode with Al Spencer and Jelly Nash.
Tom Welsh: Tom Welsh is identified as a New Mexico outlaw who killed Joe Hickson in Good Hope, New Mexico, on October 28, 1884.
Kinch West: Kinch West is listed as an outlaw member of the Tom Story Gang of Oklahoma.
Richard West, aka Little Dick (1860-1898): Richard "Little Dick" West rode with Bill Doolin and the Oklahombres in Oklahoma. Old West Outlaw List – W shows West as a part of the Oklahombres.
“Red River” Tom Whealington: "Red River" Tom Whealington was killed with Dick Rogers while attempting to break a friend out of jail in Springer, New Mexico, on March 13, 1885.
Ben Wheeler: The entry for Ben Wheeler directs readers to Ben Robertson, suggesting that Wheeler was an alias used by Robertson.
Grant Wheeler (Dates Unknown -1895): Grant Wheeler, a train robber in Arizona, was pursued by Billy Breakenridge into Colorado. Surrounded by a posse on April 25, 1895, in Mancos, Colorado, he committed suicide rather than be taken in.
Frank Wheeler and V.S. Whitaker: Frank Wheeler and V.S. Whitaker are identified as members of Selman’s Scouts following the Lincoln County War in New Mexico. Wheeler was killed by Sam Perry in Hillsboro, New Mexico Territory on July 16, 1879, and Whitaker was killed by a posse led by Juan Patron near Fort Sumner, New Mexico Territory, on October 10, 1878.
James Wheeler: James Wheeler is identified as a New Mexico outlaw who shot and killed Adolph Davidson in Chance City, New Mexico, in April 1886.
Ham White: Ham White is identified as a murderer and stage robber on the road between San Antonio and Austin, Texas.
Pete Whitehead: Pete Whitehead is identified as an Oklahoma murderer who killed Jack Bullard and a deputy in Roger Mills County, Oklahoma.
Thomas Willis (Dates Unknown -1890): Thomas Willis was captured by U.S. Deputy Marshals, Will Ayers, James Wilkerson, and Perry DuVall and taken to Fort Smith, Arkansas where he was hanged on January 16, 1890. He was an outlaw operating in Indian Territory.
Aaron Wilson (Dates Unknown -1875): Black outlaw Aaron Wilson killed James Harris and Harris’ son. He was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas on October 12, 1875.
George Wilson, aka: James Casherago (Dates Unknown -1896): George Wilson killed his traveling companion. He was the last man hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on July 30, 1896.
Jim Wilson: Jim Wilson is identified as a New Mexico outlaw who shot and killed Dane Williams in Central City, New Mexico, on March 20, 1886.
Sinker Wilson (Dates Unknown -1876): Sinker Wilson murdered a sheep drover named Datus Cowan in 1867. He was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas on September 8, 1876.
William Wilson: William Wilson was paid to kill one of his opponents. Wilson was hanged twice on December 10, 1875.
William “Billy” Wilson: William "Billy" Wilson directs readers to David L. Anderson.
William Henry Whitley, aka: Bill, Will (1864-1888): William Henry Whitley was a bank and train robber in Texas during the late 1880s.
Dick Woods: Dick Woods directs readers to Richard Barter.
Nick Worthington: Nick Worthington stole horses and killed several men. He was shot and killed by civilians in Cimarron, New Mexico in June 1878.
Nelson Ellsworth Wyatt, aka Zip, Dick Yeager, Wild Charlie (1864?-1895): Nelson Ellsworth Wyatt was captured on August 4, 1895, and died in the Enid, Oklahoma, jail on September 7, 1895. Old West Outlaw List – W includes the tale of Wyatt.
Wa-Har-Key Son: Wa-Har-Key Son was arrested by Heck Thomas and sentenced to life in prison.
Archie Wolfe: Archie Wolfe was captured in Chicago, Illinois.
Jack Womankiller: Jack Womankiller was convicted of killing a settler. He was hanged at Fort Smith on July 11, 1884.
This list, while not exhaustive, provides a glimpse into the diverse lives and crimes of outlaws whose names began with "W" in the Old West. Their stories, often filled with violence, desperation, and fleeting moments of notoriety, contribute to the complex and enduring narrative of the American frontier.