Old West Outlaw List – G
The American West, a land of vast landscapes and burgeoning opportunity, also harbored a darker side, populated by individuals who chose to live outside the bounds of the law. This "Old West Outlaw List – G" delves into the lives and exploits of some of those figures whose names begin with the letter "G," offering glimpses into their motivations, crimes, and ultimate fates. This list provides a snapshot of the diverse characters who contributed to the tumultuous history of the Old West.
Before diving into the individual profiles, it’s important to understand the context in which these outlaws operated. The late 19th century was a period of rapid expansion and social upheaval in the American West. The promise of land, gold, and a fresh start drew people from all walks of life, but the lack of established law enforcement and the prevalence of violence created an environment ripe for criminal activity. Cattle rustling, stagecoach robberies, train heists, and bank hold-ups became commonplace, and the outlaws who perpetrated these crimes often achieved a certain notoriety, even romanticism, in the popular imagination. While the "Old West Outlaw List – G" doesn’t condone their actions, it aims to present a factual account of their lives.
This examination of the Old West Outlaw List – G aims to provide insight into their lives and deeds.
M.H. "Bud" Galbreath (aka Gelbrath, Galbraith, Marion C. Cook): Bud Galbreath was more than just an outlaw; he was a companion to the notorious Ike Stockton and associated with the infamous John Wesley Hardin gang. His criminal career began early, with a shocking act of violence at the age of 17. In June 1874, while attempting to evade arrest for rape, Galbreath murdered Bosque County Sheriff Deputy Jabez C. Pierson. For years, he evaded justice, disappearing into the vastness of Indian Territory. It wasn’t until 1897 that he was finally apprehended. Tried in 1898, Galbreath’s fate was decided by a legal technicality. The jury, while acknowledging his guilt, ruled that the offense had occurred more than three years prior, effectively granting him freedom. This case highlights the complexities of frontier justice and the challenges of prosecuting crimes committed in a lawless era.
Jack Gallagher (aka Three-Fingered Jack) (18??-1864): Jack Gallagher’s story is shrouded in the shadows of Montana’s early vigilante justice. Serving as a Deputy Sheriff in Bannack, Montana, Gallagher was suspected of being a member of Henry Plummer’s infamous gang of "Innocents." This gang, operating under the guise of law enforcement, allegedly terrorized the region, engaging in robbery and murder. Gallagher’s fate was sealed by the Montana Vigilantes, a group of citizens who took the law into their own hands. He was hanged in 1864, a stark reminder of the brutal methods employed to combat lawlessness in the frontier. His tombstone, a silent testament to his controversial life, stands as a grim landmark. The life and demise of Jack Gallagher as a figure on the Old West Outlaw List – G is a reminder of how justice was meted out in the Old West.
Bill "Barney" Gallagher: A New Mexico outlaw, Bill "Barney" Gallagher met a violent end in 1876 at the hands of John Slaughter in South Springs, New Mexico. Details surrounding his crimes are scarce, but his inclusion in the "Old West Outlaw List – G" underscores the widespread nature of lawlessness in the region. John Slaughter was a well-known cattleman and lawman. The confrontation resulting in Gallagher’s death likely involved cattle rustling or other property crimes common in the area.
Leandro Gallegos: Leandro Gallegos was a member of Vicente Silva’s notorious White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico. This gang, composed primarily of Hispanic residents, operated under the banner of social justice, claiming to protect the rights of the poor against wealthy landowners. However, their methods were often brutal, involving intimidation, violence, and murder. Gallegos’s involvement in the White Caps Gang places him squarely within the complex social and political landscape of the New Mexico Territory.
Nestor Gallegos: Like Leandro, Nestor Gallegos was an outlaw member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The White Caps were known for their violent tactics and their claim to protect the rights of the poor. Nestor’s participation in this group highlights the social unrest and tensions that existed in the New Mexico Territory during this period.
Manuel Garcia (aka Three-Fingered Jack) (??-1853): Manuel Garcia was Joaquin Murrieta’s right-hand man. Murrieta was a legendary figure, a symbol of resistance against Anglo-American oppression in California. Garcia, known as "Three-Fingered Jack," was a key figure in Murrieta’s operations, participating in robberies, horse theft, and other crimes. His association with Murrieta cemented his place in the folklore of the Old West.
Pete Garfias: The details surrounding Pete Garfias’s life are somewhat vague. He is alleged to have robbed a train in 1883 and subsequently died in a shootout. Train robberies were a popular target for outlaws in the late 19th century. The railroads represented wealth and opportunity, making them attractive targets for bandits seeking quick riches. Garfias’s story, though brief, exemplifies the dangers faced by those who chose a life of crime.
Joe Garrett: Joe Garrett was an outlaw member of the Ike Stockton Gang. This gang, operating primarily in Arizona, was involved in cattle rustling, robbery, and other criminal activities. Garrett’s association with the Stockton Gang marks him as part of a network of outlaws who thrived in the lawless territories of the West.
Joe George: Along with Grant Wheeler, Joe George is alleged to have robbed a Southern & Pacific train near Willcox, Arizona. Train robberies were daring heists, often involving elaborate planning and a significant risk of capture or death. The fact that George targeted a major railway line suggests a level of ambition and boldness.
Bill Gibbs (aka The Panther of the Boston Mountains): Bill Gibbs earned the moniker "The Panther of the Boston Mountains" for his ferocity and elusiveness. An outlaw operating in the rugged terrain of the Boston Mountains, Gibbs was credited with killing five men before being shot and killed by a lawman. His story highlights the dangers faced by both outlaws and law enforcement in the remote areas of the West.
Augustus M. "Gus" Gildea (18??-1935): Gus Gildea’s life took a dramatic turn from lawman to outlaw. He served as a Texas Ranger and deputy sheriff before joining Selman’s Scouts following the Lincoln County War in New Mexico. This war was a bloody conflict between rival factions vying for control of Lincoln County. Gildea’s decision to join Selman’s Scouts, a group known for its questionable tactics, suggests a moral ambiguity or a disillusionment with the traditional justice system.
Jim Gilliland: Jim Gilliland was an accused rustler who became entangled in the Lee-Good feud in Tularosa, New Mexico. This feud was a long-standing conflict between two families over land and resources. Gilliland’s association with the Oliver Lee faction places him in the midst of a violent and complex dispute.
Charles Glass: Charles Glass was killed during a bank hold-up with George Birdwell in Boley, Oklahoma. Bank robberies were a common crime in the Old West. Boley, Oklahoma, was a historically Black town. The attempt to rob a bank reflects the desperation and economic hardship faced by some individuals in the region.
Reason Goble(s): Reason Goble(s) was a member of Selman’s Scouts following the turmoil of the Lincoln County War in New Mexico. Like Gus Gildea, Goble’s involvement with Selman’s Scouts suggests a connection to the violence and lawlessness that plagued Lincoln County. He disappeared in 1879, heading into Texas.
William Goings: William Goings was an Oklahoma outlaw and murderer who was executed in the Choctaw Nation of Indian Territory on July 13, 1899. The fact that he was executed in Indian Territory highlights the complex legal jurisdictions that existed in the West.
Clarence Goldsby: Clarence Goldsby, brother of the infamous Cherokee Bill, was an Oklahoma outlaw who killed U.S. Deputy Marshal Ike Rogers. His association with his notorious brother likely contributed to his own criminal career.
Crawford "Cherokee Bill" Goldsby (1876-1896): Crawford Goldsby, better known as Cherokee Bill, was one of the most notorious outlaws of the Old West. Responsible for the murders of eight men, Cherokee Bill and his gang terrorized Indian Territory for over two years. His story is one of violence, rebellion, and ultimately, a tragic end at the gallows. He remains a fixture on the Old West Outlaw List – G and a symbol of the violent frontier.
Manuel Gonzolez y Blea (aka EI Mellado): Manuel Gonzolez y Blea was an outlaw member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang of Las Vegas, New Mexico. As with other members of the White Caps, his involvement reflects the social and political tensions of the region.
Marcus Gonzales: Marcus Gonzales was captured and jailed in La Veta, Colorado, but was subsequently lynched by a mob in July 1877. Lynchings were a form of vigilante justice common in the Old West. The fact that Gonzales was lynched suggests a strong public sentiment against his crimes.
Martin Gonzolez y Blea (aka: EI Moro): Martin Gonzolez y Blea was an outlaw member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang of Las Vegas, New Mexico. His affiliation with the White Caps further illustrates the complex social and political dynamics of the New Mexico Territory.
Luther Goodall: Luther Goodall was a bank robber in Oklahoma. Bank robberies were a daring crime that often resulted in violence and death.
William Goodman: William Goodman was a New Mexico outlaw who escaped from a Las Vegas, New Mexico jail along with Dave Rudabaugh and Joshua Webb on December 3, 1881. Jailbreaks were a common occurrence in the Old West.
Lon Gordon (18??-1894): Lon Gordon was an outlaw member of the Bill Cook Gang in Oklahoma. He was killed near Sapulpa, Oklahoma, after the Chandler bank robbery. His death highlights the risks faced by outlaws who engaged in armed robbery.
Tom Grady: Tom Grady was a New Mexico outlaw who rustled cattle and murdered John Carney on December 14, 1885, in Lake Valley, New Mexico. Cattle rustling was a major problem in the West.
Albert "Abbs" Graham (aka Charles Graves, Ace Carr): Albert "Abbs" Graham was an outlaw member of the Jesse Evans Gang. The Jesse Evans Gang robbed throughout New Mexico and West Texas.
Charles Graham (aka Bud Davis): Charles Graham, brother of Abbs, was also an outlaw member of the Jesse Evans Gang.
Dollay Graham (aka George Davis, George Graves): Dollay Graham, one of the Graham brothers, rode with Jesse Evans in Lincoln County, New Mexico. He was killed when the gang was captured in West Texas.
William "Whiskey Bill" Graves: William "Whiskey Bill" Graves, a road agent in Montana, was said to have been a member of Henry Plummer’s gang of "Innocents." When Montana Vigilantes began to round up the known outlaws in Bannack and Virginia City and hang them, Graves took off to the Bitterroot Valley. However, when Red Yager fingered him to the Montana Vigilantes, they went after him, capturing him at Fort Owen. The vigilantes then tied one end of a rope around his neck, threw the other over a stout limb, and forced him to mount a horse behind another vigilante, and Graves was hanged.
James Greathouse (aka Whiskey Jim): James Greathouse, a former deputy sheriff labeled an outlaw by ranger Patrick Garrett, ran a way station on the White Oaks-Las Vegas, New Mexico, road. He was shot to death southeast of Socorro.
Richard Green: Richard Green was an Oklahoma horse thief and member of Sam Green’s Gang.
Sam Green: Sam Green led an outlaw gang in Oklahoma. He killed Sheriff Jack Bullard and Deputy Sheriff Cogburn in Roger Mills County.
Tom Green: Tom Green was indicted for murder in 1877 in Parker County, Texas.
Jacob Franklin Gregg (1844-1906): Jacob Franklin Gregg served under William Quantrill during the Civil War. Afterward, he joined the James-Younger Gang. He was with the gang in their first robbery of the Clay County Savings Association in Liberty, Missouri, on February 13, 1866. In March 1869, he was arrested in Independence, Missouri, for killings made during the war. However, during his trial in Lexington, Missouri, he was acquitted partly due to the intercession of General Jo Shelby.
Ben Griffith: Ben Griffith, a guerilla outlaw under Cullen Baker in the Texas reconstruction war, was killed by three citizens of Glarkville in 1868.
William "Curley" Grimes (1850-1879): William "Curley" Grimes was a road agent who robbed the Cheyenne and Black Hills Stage & Express Company. He was arrested and killed when he attempted to escape.
Albert Gross (aka John Gunter): Albert Gross was an outlaw member of the Jesse Evans Gang. He was captured by Texas Rangers near Shafter, Texas, on July 3, 1880. Later, he escaped briefly but was recaptured by Ranger Sam Graham.
Billy Grounds (1862-1882): Billy Grounds, along with another outlaw named Zwing Hunt attempted to rob the Tombstone Mining and Milling Company in Charleston, Arizona. After being challenged, they shot and killed a man before panicking and taking off without a dime. He was killed by William Breakenridge.
Buck Guyse: Buck Guyse deserted the Texas Rangers and fled to New Mexico where he was arrested by Pat Garrett.
This Old West Outlaw List – G provides a glimpse into the lives of those who lived outside the law in the American West. From notorious figures like Cherokee Bill to lesser-known individuals, their stories contribute to a complex and fascinating chapter in American history.