Old West Outlaw List – A

The annals of history, much like our contemporary society, have never been strangers to figures operating outside the boundaries of the law. However, it is within the romanticized and often mythologized era of America’s Old West that certain criminals achieved a level of notoriety that continues to captivate our imaginations. These individuals, etched into the collective memory through sensationalized tales and dime novels, represent a complex interplay of circumstance, desperation, and the allure of rebellion against a rapidly changing frontier.

The period following the American Civil War witnessed a surge in lawlessness across the western territories. The war had left many men accustomed to violence, displaced from their homes, and stripped of their livelihoods. For some, the transition to civilian life proved insurmountable, and the lure of quick riches through illicit means became an irresistible temptation. The vast, sparsely populated landscapes of the West provided ample opportunity for these outlaws to operate, often with impunity.

Simultaneously, back east, a different kind of appetite was growing. The Puritanical society of the Eastern United States, often stifled by its own rigid social structures, craved the adventure and excitement that seemed to permeate the Wild West. This hunger was fed by sensational newspaper headlines and the exaggerated narratives found in "dime novels." These inexpensive publications often churned out tales of daring robberies, thrilling shootouts, and daring escapes, often before the dust had even settled on the actual events. The exploits of these Old West Outlaw List – A figures became fodder for the public’s fascination, transforming them into anti-heroes and legends in their own right.

Even today, more than a century after their demise, the tales of gunfighters, outlaws, and the lawmen who pursued them continue to resonate with audiences. These narratives, often embellished and romanticized, offer a glimpse into a bygone era, a time of perceived freedom and rugged individualism, even if that freedom was often purchased at the expense of others. The Old West Outlaw List – A serves as a testament to this enduring fascination.

Here is a glimpse into the lives and misdeeds of some of those individuals whose names begin with the letter "A," who carved their places in the history of the Old West Outlaw List – A:

• Carl Adamson: Adamson’s name is forever intertwined with the infamous Jim Miller, a notorious assassin of the Old West. He is alleged to have played a role in the 1908 assassination of Pat Garrett, the lawman who famously brought down Billy the Kid. The details surrounding Garrett’s death remain shrouded in mystery, but Adamson’s involvement solidifies his place within the shadowy corners of Western history.

• Epeminto Aguelari: A stark reminder of the violence that plagued the New Mexico Territory, Aguelari is recorded as having murdered Jose A. Samora in Wallace, New Mexico, in 1884. His crime, though briefly noted, underscores the prevalence of deadly disputes that characterized life on the frontier.

• Ceberiano Aguilar and Reymundo Aguilar: These two men met their demise during the Horrell War, a brutal conflict that unfolded in Lincoln County, New Mexico, in 1874. The Horrell War was a complex feud involving families, lawmen, and outlaws, and the Aguilars’ participation highlights the volatile nature of life in the region. Their deaths serve as a somber reminder of the human cost of such conflicts.

• Donaciano Aguilar: Unlike his namesakes who met violent ends, Donaciano Aguilar faced a different fate. In 1909, he was sentenced to life imprisonment in New Mexico, suggesting a crime severe enough to warrant such a harsh penalty. His story offers a glimpse into the judicial system of the time and the consequences faced by those who transgressed its boundaries.

• Felix Aguillan: A member of the shadowy Castillo Gang, Aguillan’s inclusion on this list speaks to the organized crime that also existed in the Old West. While specific details of his crimes are scarce, his affiliation with a known gang suggests involvement in activities such as robbery, cattle rustling, or other illicit enterprises.

• Jermin Aguirre (18??-1875): Aguirre was a member of the Mes Gang, a rival to the notorious John Kinney Gang in New Mexico. The competition between these gangs often led to violent confrontations. In August 1875, Aguirre, along with other members of the Mes Gang, was ambushed and killed by the John Kinney Gang and Jesse Evans near the San Augustin Ranch. This incident exemplifies the brutal and unforgiving nature of gang warfare in the Old West.

• Alamosa Bill: Linked, at least peripherally, to the legendary Billy the Kid, Alamosa Bill was an outlaw who met his end in El Paso, Texas, in 1888. His association with Billy the Kid, even if infrequent, is enough to secure his place on this list. The details of his death remain murky, but the fact that he was killed suggests a life lived on the fringes of society.

• Eugenio Alarid: Alarid’s story is a cautionary tale of corruption and abuse of power. A member of the Las Vegas, New Mexico, police force, he simultaneously operated as an outlaw and a member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang. He participated in the lynching of Patricio Maes in 1892, along with two other corrupt lawmen. Alarid was eventually arrested and sentenced to life in prison, highlighting the dangers of unchecked authority and the consequences of betraying the public trust.

• Nasario Alarid: This New Mexico outlaw evaded capture for some time before finally being apprehended and sentenced to 99 years in prison in 1906. His lengthy sentence suggests a pattern of criminal activity or a particularly heinous crime. His story underscores the challenges faced by law enforcement in bringing criminals to justice in the vast and often lawless territories of the West.

• John Alexander (18??-1874): Alexander’s story is a grim reminder of the swift and often brutal justice meted out by vigilantes in the Old West. Caught attempting to steal horses in Belton, Texas, in 1874, he was summarily executed by a mob. His death highlights the lack of formal law enforcement in many areas and the willingness of citizens to take matters into their own hands.

• William Alexander: This Mexican-American man was convicted of murdering his business partner in 1889. He was spared from execution at Fort Smith, Arkansas, due to his lawyer’s skill, and he eventually walked free.

• Bill Allen: A Texas outlaw and robber, Allen occasionally rode with the Jesse Evans Gang, suggesting a connection to a larger network of criminal activity. His association with the Evans Gang places him within a group known for violence and disregard for the law.

• "Bladder" Allen: Jailed for stabbing a man in White Oaks, New Mexico, Allen’s nickname and the nature of his crime paint a picture of a rough and tumble individual prone to violence. His story, though brief, provides a glimpse into the personal conflicts that often escalated into deadly confrontations in the Old West.

• Charles Allen: This outlaw robbed and killed a group of people in Virginia City, Montana, and was subsequently hanged by vigilantes. His fate mirrors that of John Alexander, highlighting the prevalence of vigilante justice in areas where formal law enforcement was lacking.

• Charles Allen, aka Big Time Charlie: In the turn of the century, Big Time Charlie was a famous owner of prostitution rings in Denver, Colorado.

• James Allen: Allen killed James Moorehead in Las Vegas, New Mexico, over a dispute about eggs in 1880. He was imprisoned but escaped and was later killed by a posse.

• Joseph Allen (18??-1909): A gunfighter involved in a feud in Ada, Oklahoma, Allen was arrested for the murder of Gus Bobbitt. In 1909, a vigilante mob stormed the jail and hanged Allen, along with Jim Miller, Jesse West, and D.B. Burrell.

• Malachi Allen (18??-1889): Wanted for gunning down two men in the Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, Allen was involved in a gunfight with Deputy Marshal McAlester. Wounded, he was taken to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where his arm was amputated shortly before he was hanged in 1889.

• Charles Allison: Allison was a lawman turned outlaw, appointed deputy sheriff of Conjos County, Colorado, who organized a band of outlaws. He robbed stages between Colorado and New Mexico and was captured in 1881 by Sheriff Matt Kyle.

• Jack "Red Jack" Almer, aka Jack Averill (18??-1883): Almer was the leader of the Red Jack Gang, who robbed Arizona stagecoaches in the early 1880s. He was killed in a gunfight after robbing a stage near Globe, Arizona, in 1883.

• Wade Alsup: A Texas outlaw, Alsup was lynched by masked men in Blue, Texas, in 1877.

• Juan Alvarid: A Mexican outlaw, Alvarid was lynched in Socorro, New Mexico, in 1882, for raping an 8-year-old girl.

• Leonard Alverson: Accused of robbing a post office at Steins Pass, New Mexico, in 1897, Alverson was imprisoned but later freed after Thomas "Black Jack" Ketchum confessed to the crime.

• Burton Alvord (1866-1910): An Arizona lawman who turned outlaw in the 1890s.

• Martin Amador: A New Mexico outlaw, Amador was hanged for murder in Deming in 1908.

• Fred Amos: A California outlaw and highwayman in the late 1860s, Amos was sentenced to ten years in prison for a holdup.

• David L. Anderson, aka William "Billy" Wilson, Buffalo Bill (1862-1918): Most commonly known as "Billy Wilson," he was a member of Billy the Kid’s Gang of rustlers.

• James "Jim" Anderson: Brother to William "Bloody Bill" Anderson, Jim rode with Quantrill’s Raiders during the Civil War and with the James-Younger Gang afterward.

• Hank Andrews: A New Mexico outlaw, Andrews was lynched by vigilantes in February 1884 near Tularosa.

• Justin Anjo: A California outlaw, Anjo was lynched for shooting a man to death in 1877.

• Ernest Anthony: A horse thief jailed in Springer, New Mexico, in 1885, Anthony was pardoned, captured again twice more, escaping both times. He changed his name and moved to Wyoming.

• Henry Antrim: See William Bonney, aka Billy the Kid.

• Apache Kid (1867-1894?): Accused of a murder he didn’t commit, the Apache Kid fled and was blamed for virtually every unsolved crime in Arizona.

• Maximo Apodaca (18??-1885): An outlaw and murderer, Apodaca was convicted of murdering the Nesmith family in White Sands, New Mexico. He committed suicide in prison in 1885.

• Bill Applegate: Applegate led a gang of rustlers in New Mexico during the 1870s.

• Nicholas Aragon: Aragon shot him when Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff Jasper Corn tracked him on October 26, 1884.

• Doroteo Arango Arámbula, aka Francisco "Pancho" Villa (1877-1923): An outlaw, cattle rustler, and Mexican revolutionist, Pancho Villa made successful raids along the U.S. border.

• James Arcine (or Arcene) (18??-1885): A Cherokee Indian, Arcine killed a traveler named Henry Feigel in 1872.

• Thomas Archer (18??-1886): The leader of the Archer Brothers Gang, he and three of his brothers were hanged when they were caught.

• William Arnett (18??-1862): Arnett was killed in Goldcreek, Montana, in 1862, after being confronted for stealing horses.

• David Arguello: Convicted of murdering Colorado peace officer Francisco Garcia in 1905, Arguello was hanged in Raton, New Mexico, in 1906.

• "Arizona Jack": A gunman and teamster was lynched for shooting another teamster to death.

• Jack Armstrong: An outlaw of Las Vegas, New Mexico, who killed a bartender over the price of a drink.

• Willis Arrington: A Texas outlaw, Arrington was charged with rustling cattle in 1881.

• George Ashby: A horse thief who operated in Texas and Montana, Ashby killed a sheriff near the Powder River in Montana.

• Joe Asque (18??-1877?): A cattle rustler captured near Hillsboro, New Mexico, Asque was lynched but escaped.

• David Atkins (18??-1964): A member of the Black Jack Ketchum gang, Atkins robbed trains throughout New Mexico, West Texas, and Arizona.

• Harris Austin (18??-1890): A murderer in the Chickasaw Nation of Indian Territory, Austin was captured and executed at Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1890.

• James Averell or (Averill) (1851-1889): An alleged Wyoming cattle rustler, Averell was hanged, along with "Cattle Kate" Watson, by a cattle baron faction in 1889.

• Genovevo Avila: A Mexican native who was a member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang.

• Jesus Avott(a): Convicted of horse theft, Avott was pardoned after the Apache Kid escaped during a stagecoach transfer.

The Old West Outlaw List – A is a diverse collection of individuals, each with their own story of transgression and consequence. Their tales, though often sensationalized, provide a glimpse into the complex and often brutal realities of life on the American frontier. They represent a time when the lines between law and lawlessness were often blurred, and when the pursuit of fortune and freedom could lead down a path of violence and destruction. This Old West Outlaw List – A continues to fascinate us today, reminding us of a time when the West was wild and the legends were born.