George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb – Oklahoma Outlaw
The annals of the American West are filled with tales of daring outlaws, individuals who defied the law and carved their own paths through a landscape often governed by chaos and opportunity. Among these figures stands George Newcomb, a man better known by his chilling moniker, “Bitter Creek.” Born into poverty and thrust into the demanding world of cattle ranching at a young age, George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb‘s life took a turn towards outlawry in the burgeoning territory of Oklahoma. His story is a tapestry woven with threads of loyalty, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of fortune, a narrative that ultimately ended in a bloody ambush near the Cimarron River.
Born in 1866 in Fort Scott, Kansas, George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb‘s early life was marked by hardship. His family struggled to make ends meet, and at the tender age of 12, young George sought work as a cowboy. He found employment on the Long S Ranch in Texas, owned by the prominent cattleman C.C. Slaughter. Here, amidst the vast open ranges and the demanding work of managing cattle, Newcomb learned the skills and resilience that would later serve him well in his outlaw career. He honed his horsemanship, mastered the use of firearms, and developed a familiarity with the rugged terrain of the Southwest.
The early 1890s saw George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb venturing into Oklahoma Territory, a region known for its lawlessness and the lure of quick riches. It was here that Newcomb crossed the line from ranch hand to outlaw, joining the notorious Dalton Gang. The Dalton brothers, Bob, Grat, and Emmett, led a band of desperados who terrorized the region with their audacious robberies of banks and trains. Newcomb quickly became embroiled in their criminal activities, participating in the ill-fated train robbery in Adair, Oklahoma, on July 15, 1892. The robbery was a chaotic affair, resulting in the wounding of two guards and two townspeople, one of whom succumbed to his injuries the following day. This event marked a significant turning point in Newcomb’s life, solidifying his status as a wanted man and setting him on a path of violence and escape.
Despite his involvement in the Dalton Gang, George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb‘s temperament proved too reckless even for the notoriously daring Bob Dalton. Branded as "too wild," Newcomb, along with fellow outlaws Charley Pierce and Bill Doolin, were effectively ostracized from the gang. They retreated to their hideout in Ingalls, Oklahoma, a small town that would soon become synonymous with outlaw activity. Meanwhile, the Dalton Gang’s reign of terror came to an abrupt end on October 5, 1892, during their disastrous raid on Coffeyville, Kansas. All but one of the Dalton brothers, Emmett, were killed in a hail of gunfire, effectively dismantling the gang and leaving a power vacuum in the Oklahoma outlaw scene.
Following the demise of the Dalton Gang, George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb and Bill Doolin joined forces to form their own gang, known as the Wild Bunch, or sometimes referred to as the Doolin-Dalton Gang. This new band of outlaws quickly established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, continuing the tradition of robbing banks and trains across Oklahoma Territory. The Wild Bunch became notorious for their daring exploits and their ability to evade law enforcement, earning them a reputation as some of the most dangerous men in the West.
As Newcomb’s reputation grew, so did the price on his head. By May 1895, a hefty $5,000 reward was offered for his capture, dead or alive. This bounty made him a target for lawmen, bounty hunters, and even rival outlaws, creating a constant threat to his life. The pressure of being a wanted man eventually led to the disintegration of the Wild Bunch, with members scattering in different directions to avoid capture.
In the spring of 1895, Newcomb and Charley Pierce sought refuge at the Dunn Ranch, located along the banks of the Cimarron River. The Dunn Ranch was known as a haven for outlaws, and it was also the home of Rose Dunn, a young woman who had captured Newcomb’s heart. Known as the "Rose of Cimarron," Rose was a figure of fascination in the outlaw world, rumored to be romantically involved with several notorious criminals. Newcomb’s visit to the Dunn Ranch was motivated by both love and financial necessity. He was owed $900 by Rose’s brothers, who were known to be involved in shady dealings.
However, the reunion would be tragically short-lived. As Newcomb and Pierce approached the house, they were ambushed by Rose’s brothers, who had secretly conspired to collect the large bounty on the outlaws’ heads. In a hail of gunfire, Newcomb and Pierce were shot from their saddles, their bodies riddled with bullets. The Dunn brothers, driven by greed and the lure of reward money, had betrayed their guest and their sister’s lover.
Despite the severity of his wounds, Newcomb was not immediately killed. He and Pierce were taken to Guthrie, Oklahoma, where authorities could confirm their identities and claim the reward. While lying wounded, Newcomb regained consciousness and begged for water. Instead of compassion, he received another bullet, silencing his pleas and ending his life. The cold-blooded nature of his death further cemented his image as a tragic figure in the history of the Old West.
George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb‘s father, James Newcomb, claimed his son’s body and buried him on the family farm near Nine Mile Flats, southwest of Norman, Oklahoma, on the north bank of the Canadian River. His final resting place remains a quiet testament to a life lived on the fringes of society, a life marked by violence, love, and betrayal. The story of George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb serves as a reminder of the complexities and contradictions of the American West, a time when the lines between law and lawlessness were often blurred, and where the pursuit of fortune could lead to a violent and untimely end.