“Texas Jack” Vermillion – Old West Gunfighter
The annals of the American Old West are filled with figures larger than life, men and women who carved their names into the landscape with grit, determination, and, often, the glint of steel. Among these figures stands John Wilson Vermillion, a man who lived a life as complex and compelling as the era he inhabited. Better known by his colorful monikers, “Texas Jack” and the somewhat less savory “Shoot-Your-Eye-Out” Vermillion, he etched his place in history through his involvement in some of the West’s most notorious events, most notably his participation in the Earp Vendetta Ride alongside the legendary Wyatt Earp. His story is a tapestry woven with threads of war, loss, frontier justice, and a restless spirit that perpetually sought new horizons. The moniker “Texas Jack” Vermillion would echo through the saloons and dusty streets of the West, a testament to a man who lived life on his own terms.
Born in 1842 in the rugged terrain of Russell County, Virginia, John Wilson Vermillion was the second of twelve children born to William and Nancy Owens Vermillion. His early life was undoubtedly shaped by the rhythms of rural life in the antebellum South, a world soon to be irrevocably altered by the looming specter of Civil War. When the conflict erupted, Vermillion, like many young men of the era, answered the call to arms, enlisting as a Confederate soldier. He served under the command of the famed General J.E.B. Stuart, a flamboyant cavalry officer known for his daring raids and strategic brilliance. The war years undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Vermillion, exposing him to the brutal realities of combat and shaping the man he would become.
Following the Confederacy’s defeat, Vermillion sought a fresh start, venturing north to Indiana. There, in September 1865, he married Margaret Horton, embarking on what he hoped would be a new chapter in his life. The young couple soon relocated to Missouri, where Vermillion took on the role of a Territorial Marshal for the eastern section of the state. This position thrust him into the often-turbulent world of frontier law enforcement, where he was tasked with maintaining order in a region still grappling with the aftermath of war and the challenges of westward expansion. His early career as a lawman likely honed his skills with a gun and instilled in him a sense of justice, traits that would later define his reputation as “Texas Jack” Vermillion.
Tragedy struck Vermillion with devastating force shortly after the birth of his son. A diphtheria epidemic swept through eastern Missouri, claiming the lives of his wife, Margaret, and both of his children. The loss was profound, a crushing blow that left Vermillion grief-stricken and adrift. Overwhelmed by sorrow, he turned his back on the life he had built and headed west, seeking solace and perhaps a new purpose in the vast expanse of the frontier.
By the late 1870s, Vermillion had arrived in Dodge City, Kansas, a bustling cowtown known for its saloons, gambling dens, and a general air of lawlessness. Dodge City was a magnet for those seeking fortune, adventure, or simply a place to escape the constraints of civilized society. It was here that Vermillion began to solidify his reputation as a gunfighter. He was known to frequent the saloons, indulge in heavy drinking, and gamble frequently. It was also in Dodge City that he crossed paths with several iconic figures of the Old West, including Virgil Earp, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday. These encounters would prove to be pivotal in shaping the course of his life. The name “Texas Jack” Vermillion was now being whispered with a mix of respect and apprehension.
A few years later, Vermillion found himself in Tombstone, Arizona, another boomtown fueled by the promise of silver and rife with conflict. He served as a special policeman under Virgil Earp in 1881, further immersing himself in the world of law enforcement and the ongoing power struggles that plagued the town. The infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in October 1881, followed by the assassination of Morgan Earp in March 1882, plunged Tombstone into a state of chaos. In the aftermath of these events, Wyatt Earp, along with Warren Earp and Doc Holliday, embarked on the Earp Vendetta Ride, a relentless pursuit of those they believed responsible for the attacks. Vermillion joined this posse, solidifying his allegiance to the Earp faction and further cementing his image as a man of action and unwavering loyalty.
In 1883, Vermillion’s path crossed with that of Luke Short, another prominent figure in the Dodge City underworld. Short was embroiled in a feud with rival businessmen and called upon Bat Masterson for assistance. Masterson, in turn, assembled a group of well-known gunfighters, including Wyatt Earp and Jack Vermillion, in what became known as the Dodge City War. Although the "war" never escalated into outright violence, the presence of such formidable figures on Short’s side served as a powerful deterrent and ultimately helped resolve the conflict.
It was during his time in Dodge City that Vermillion reportedly shot and killed a gambler he accused of cheating at cards. This incident led to a wanted poster bearing the name "Texas Jack Vermillion," a moniker that stuck with him for the rest of his life. The origin of the "Texas" part of his nickname remains shrouded in mystery. One anecdote suggests that when asked why he was called Texas Jack, Vermillion quipped, "Because I’m from Virginia." He later acquired the additional nickname "Shoot-Your-Eye-Out" Vermillion, allegedly due to an incident in which he shot a man in the eye.
Despite his reputation as a gunfighter and his involvement in various conflicts, Vermillion eventually sought a more settled life. He returned to his home state of Virginia in 1883, where he married a woman named Nannie Fleenor and had two more children. For a time, it seemed as though he had finally found a measure of peace and stability.
However, the allure of the West proved too strong to resist. By 1888, Vermillion was back in the frontier, this time in Denver, Colorado, where he joined forces with Soapy Smith, a notorious con artist and gang leader. He participated in Soapy Smith’s confidence schemes. In August 1889, he was with Soapy, Bascomb Smith, and "Fatty Gray" Morris in Pocatello, Idaho, when a rival bunco gang attempted to assassinate Soapy, resulting in a shootout at the train depot. This incident marked the end of Vermillion’s association with Soapy Smith.
Following his departure from Soapy Smith’s gang, Vermillion once again returned to Virginia, where he spent the remainder of his days. He died peacefully in his sleep in 1911, leaving behind a legacy as one of the Old West’s most enigmatic and colorful figures. John Wilson Vermillion, "Texas Jack," "Shoot-Your-Eye-Out," his life was a testament to the enduring allure and the complex realities of the American frontier. His story serves as a reminder that the legends of the Old West are often built on a foundation of both heroism and hardship, and that even the most notorious gunfighters were ultimately human beings shaped by the circumstances of their time. “Texas Jack” Vermillion’s story is an important part of the tapestry of the Old West.