Bass Outlaw – Lawman, Gunfighter, & Texas Ranger
The annals of the American West are replete with figures who straddled the line between law and lawlessness, men whose reputations were forged in the crucible of frontier life. Among these individuals stands Bass (Baz) L. Outlaw, a man whose life was a complex tapestry woven with threads of courage, duty, and a crippling struggle with personal demons. He was a Bass Outlaw who embodied the contradictions of the era, a lawman, a gunfighter, and a Texas Ranger, forever etched in the legends of the West.
Born in 1854 in Lee County, Georgia, to Meshack Napoleon and MaryAnn Elizabeth Smith Outlaw, Bass Outlaw emerged from a family of good standing. He was raised with the sensibilities of a refined gentleman, possessing a natural charm and intelligence. However, beneath the veneer of respectability lurked a formidable weakness: a profound and debilitating addiction to alcohol. This affliction would prove to be a recurring motif in his life, repeatedly undermining his aspirations and contributing to his tumultuous trajectory.
The early life of Bass Outlaw remains somewhat shrouded in the mists of time, but accounts suggest a promising youth marred by the burgeoning influence of his drinking problem. A pivotal moment arrived around 1884 when, following an alleged killing in Georgia, Bass, also known as Baz, found it prudent to seek refuge beyond the borders of his home state. He chose to venture westward to the vast expanse of Texas, a land of opportunity and second chances, where he hoped to outrun his past and forge a new identity.
In Texas, Bass Outlaw sought to reinvent himself by joining the ranks of the famed Texas Rangers, an elite law enforcement agency tasked with maintaining order in a lawless land. His skills and dedication quickly impressed his superiors, and he was soon promoted to the rank of sergeant. However, his old nemesis, alcohol, resurfaced, leading to his downfall. He was discovered drunk while on duty in Alpine, Texas, a transgression that resulted in his swift dismissal from the Rangers. This incident served as a stark reminder of the pervasive grip alcohol held over him and the challenges he faced in maintaining a steady course.
Undeterred, Bass Outlaw sought another avenue for his law enforcement aspirations. He secured an appointment as a U.S. Deputy Marshal, a position that placed him in the service of the federal government, tasked with enforcing federal laws across a wide jurisdiction. Despite his proven abilities as a lawman, his supervisors continually reprimanded him for his persistent drinking. The allure of the bottle proved too strong to resist, and his career continued to be marred by incidents related to his alcohol abuse.
In 1889, while serving as a U.S. Deputy Marshal, Baz found himself embroiled in a perilous situation. He and fellow Deputy Marshals John Hughes and Walter Durbin were assigned to guard bullion shipments from a silver mine in Mexico. During this assignment, a drunken Baz became embroiled in an altercation with a Mexican worker, culminating in Baz shooting the man. This incident further tarnished his reputation and underscored the recklessness that often accompanied his intoxication.
Later that same year, Baz, along with fellow U.S. Deputy Marshals John Hughes and Ira Aten, and Deputy Sheriff Will Terry, orchestrated an ambush near Vance, Texas, targeting the fugitive Odle brothers. The ensuing confrontation was a brutal display of frontier justice, with Baz personally shooting down both Will and Alvin Odle. The details surrounding this event remain contentious, with some viewing it as a legitimate act of law enforcement, while others consider it a cold-blooded execution. Regardless, the incident further solidified Baz Outlaw’s image as a man capable of extreme violence.
The final chapter of Bass Outlaw’s life unfolded in El Paso, Texas, on April 5, 1894. Intoxicated and belligerent, Baz discharged a firearm inside Tillie Howard’s brothel, a reckless act that drew the attention of Constable John Selman and Texas Ranger Joe McKidrict. When confronted, Baz Outlaw pointed his gun at the two lawmen, firing and striking McKidrict in the head. He then turned his attention to Selman, firing again, narrowly missing but almost blinding the constable with the gunpowder blast.
Selman, a seasoned lawman with a reputation of his own, reacted swiftly and decisively. He returned fire, striking Outlaw in the chest. Staggering backward, Baz managed to fire two more shots, wounding Selman before collapsing to the ground. Realizing the gravity of his situation, Outlaw surrendered and was led to a nearby saloon. Despite receiving medical attention, his wounds proved fatal, and he succumbed to them four hours later.
The death of Bass Outlaw marked the end of a life characterized by both promise and tragedy. He was a man of considerable skill and courage, capable of upholding the law with unwavering resolve. However, he was also a man haunted by his own demons, unable to escape the destructive cycle of alcohol abuse. His story serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the devastating consequences of unchecked addiction and the fine line between lawman and outlaw in the untamed West.
Bass Outlaw’s legacy remains a subject of debate. Some view him as a flawed hero, a man who struggled against adversity and ultimately fell victim to his own weaknesses. Others see him as a violent and reckless individual, whose actions often crossed the line between justice and brutality. Regardless of one’s perspective, there is no denying that he was a complex and compelling figure, whose life was a microcosm of the turbulent era in which he lived.
The story of Bass Outlaw offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of frontier life, where survival often depended on one’s ability to navigate a world of violence and moral ambiguity. It is a story of redemption and ruin, of courage and self-destruction, and a reminder that the legends of the West are often far more nuanced and complicated than the romanticized narratives that have come to define them.