Old West Outlaw List – I
The American West, a vast and often unforgiving landscape, fostered a unique breed of individuals: the outlaw. These figures, some romanticized and others demonized, carved their names into the annals of history through acts of defiance, daring, and often, brutality. This article delves into the lives and misdeeds of several Old West outlaws whose surnames begin with the letter "I," offering a glimpse into their motivations, crimes, and ultimate fates. The era of the Old West Outlaw List – I has faded into history, yet its legacy continues to captivate.
The individuals presented here represent a spectrum of criminality, from cattle rustlers and petty thieves to murderers and members of notorious gangs. Their stories, though often tragic, paint a vivid picture of the challenges and temptations present in the burgeoning territories of the late 19th century. As we explore these figures from the Old West Outlaw List – I, we begin to understand the complex social and economic factors that contributed to the rise of outlawry in the American West.
McClish Impson (18??-1875)
McClish Impson’s story is a stark reminder of the swift and often brutal justice meted out in the Old West. Convicted of the cold-blooded murder of an Oklahoma man, whom he shot in the back, Impson faced the full weight of the law. He was tried, found guilty, and sentenced to death. The sentence was carried out at the infamous Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 15, 1875. Fort Smith, under the jurisdiction of Judge Isaac Parker, became known as the "Hanging Judge’s" court, a place where frontier justice was swift and unwavering. Impson’s execution served as a grim warning to others who might consider a life of crime in the region. The name Impson is a poignant inclusion in the Old West Outlaw List – I.
Nat "Tex" Irwin
Nat "Tex" Irwin, as his nickname suggests, operated as an outlaw in the vast territories of New Mexico. His primary offense was cattle rustling, a crime that threatened the livelihoods of ranchers and farmers across the region. Cattle were a valuable commodity, and rustling could cripple an individual’s or even a community’s economic stability. Irwin’s activities eventually caught the attention of law enforcement, and he was captured in March 1883 by the militia led by the renowned lawman, A.J. Fountain. Fountain, a prominent figure in New Mexico history, dedicated much of his life to fighting crime and maintaining order in the turbulent territory. Irwin’s capture highlights the constant struggle between law and lawlessness that characterized the Old West.
Webber Isaacs (18??-1896)
Webber Isaacs was a Cherokee Indian outlaw operating in Oklahoma. His crime was particularly heinous, revealing a disturbing level of brutality. Isaacs robbed a 60-year-old peddler named Mike Cushing, then beat him to death. To conceal his crime, Isaacs attempted to burn Cushing’s body, hoping to destroy any evidence that could link him to the murder. However, his efforts were in vain. Letters found near the scene of the crime provided crucial evidence, confirming Cushing’s identity and ultimately leading to Isaacs’s arrest. He was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, and his execution took place at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on April 30, 1896. Isaacs’s case underscores the presence of Native American outlaws in the Old West, a often overlooked aspect of the era. His inclusion in the Old West Outlaw List – I is a stark reminder of the diversity of individuals who found themselves on the wrong side of the law.
Gibson Ishtanubbee (18??-1876)
The story of Gibson Ishtanubbee is a chilling tale of betrayal and violence in the Chickasaw Nation near Stonewall, Mississippi. In 1873, Ishtanubbee, described as an itinerant drifter, and another man named Isham Seely arrived at the home of a farmer named "Squirrel" Funny. Following the custom of the time, Funny offered the two men hospitality for the night. However, under the cover of darkness, Ishtanubbee and Seely turned on their host. Ishtanubbee murdered Funny with an ax while he slept, and Seely beat Funny’s housekeeper to death with a pistol. After looting the house, the pair fled, but their escape was short-lived. They were soon apprehended and brought to Fort Smith, Arkansas, to stand trial before Judge Isaac Parker. Parker, known for his stern and uncompromising approach to justice, sentenced both men to death. The two were hanged on April 21, 1876. Ishtanubbee’s story highlights the dangers that existed even in seemingly peaceful communities, and the tragic consequences of misplaced trust.
Jake Island
Jake Island’s story is brief but significant. He was an Oklahoma outlaw apprehended by the legendary Deputy U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves. Reeves, one of the most respected lawmen in the West, was known for his unwavering dedication to justice and his ability to track down and capture even the most elusive criminals. The details of Island’s crimes remain sparse, but his capture by Reeves underscores the effectiveness of law enforcement in the region, even in the face of considerable challenges.
Ben Isom
Ben Isom, a Texas outlaw, met a violent end after shooting a man at Howe Station, Texas, in 1885. His act of violence prompted a swift response from the local sheriff, who killed Isom in the ensuing confrontation. Isom’s story highlights the dangers faced by both outlaws and lawmen in the Old West, where violence was often the first and last resort. His brief mention serves as a reminder of the volatile nature of life on the frontier.
George Ives
George Ives was an outlaw associated with Henry Plummer’s notorious gang, known as the "Innocents," in Montana Territory. Plummer’s gang terrorized the region, engaging in robbery, murder, and other criminal activities. Ives’s involvement with the "Innocents" ultimately led to his downfall. He was captured by the Montana Vigilantes, a group of citizens who took the law into their own hands in response to the perceived ineffectiveness of the official legal system. Ives was hanged by the vigilantes on January 3, 1864, at Alder Gulch, a mining town that had become a hotbed of criminal activity. Ives’s execution reflects the widespread frustration with lawlessness in Montana Territory and the willingness of citizens to resort to extralegal measures to restore order. His story is a key example when discussing the Old West Outlaw List – I.
In conclusion, the Old West Outlaw List – I offers a glimpse into the lives and crimes of several individuals who defied the law in the American West. Their stories, though diverse in detail, share a common thread: a life of transgression and, in most cases, a violent end. These figures, whether driven by desperation, greed, or a simple disregard for authority, played a significant role in shaping the history and mythology of the Old West. While their actions cannot be condoned, their stories provide valuable insights into the challenges, temptations, and consequences that defined this turbulent era. As we study these outlaws, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the Old West and the enduring legacy of its lawless past.