Old West Outlaw List – K
The American West, a period etched in history with tales of courage, hardship, and lawlessness, fostered a unique breed of individuals who challenged societal norms and carved their own paths, often outside the boundaries of the law. Among the myriad figures that populated this era, outlaws held a peculiar fascination, embodying both the allure of rebellion and the harsh realities of frontier life. This article delves into the lives and exploits of some of the lesser-known, yet intriguing, outlaws whose names begin with the letter "K," offering a glimpse into their world of cattle rustling, train robberies, and desperate escapes.
The Old West Outlaw List – K serves as a portal to the lives of men and women who operated on the fringes of society, their stories interwoven with the vast landscapes and tumultuous times of the American West. These individuals, driven by various motivations ranging from economic necessity to a thirst for adventure, left their mark on the historical narrative, shaping the perception of the Wild West as a land of both opportunity and danger.
Seaborn Kalijah (18??-1887): A figure shrouded in mystery, Seaborn Kalijah operated as an outlaw in Oklahoma during the late 19th century. His story took a dark turn when, after being apprehended by U.S. Deputy Marshal John Phillips, he was left in the custody of a posse overnight. The following morning, Phillips returned to a scene of carnage: Mark Kuykendall, Henry Smith, and William Kelly lay murdered, and Kalijah had vanished. The subsequent investigation led to the rearrest of Kalijah, his conviction, and eventual execution by hanging at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 17, 1887. Kalijah’s case exemplifies the brutal realities of justice on the frontier, where swift and decisive action often replaced due process.
Jim Kay: The arid landscapes of New Mexico provided the backdrop for Jim Kay’s outlaw activities. Primarily engaged in cattle rustling near Socorro, Kay met his end at the hands of Joel Fowler, a testament to the dangers inherent in the life of a livestock thief in the Old West. The story of Jim Kay is a simple, brutal one.
Frank Kearney: Kearney’s name appears in connection with a daring escape from the Las Vegas, New Mexico jail on December 3, 1881. He broke free alongside notorious outlaws Dave Rudabaugh and John Joshua Webb. This jailbreak highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in containing hardened criminals in the often-understaffed and poorly secured prisons of the Old West.
Pierce Keaton: A Texas cowboy turned outlaw, Pierce Keaton attempted to hold up a train at Coleman Junction on June 9, 1898. This act of desperation led to his capture in Sutton County, imprisonment, and eventual parole in 1916. He died in 1931. Keaton’s trajectory from cowboy to train robber reflects the economic pressures and the allure of quick riches that could lead individuals down a path of crime.
Bill Kelly: The name Bill Kelly appears in Brazos County, Texas, in 1885. He broke out of jail, killed a deputy, and was charged with murder. His actions underscore the violent confrontations that often occurred between outlaws and law enforcement in the pursuit of justice.
Curtis Kelly: An Oklahoma outlaw who associated with Al Spencer and Jelly Nash.
Dan "Yorky" Kelly: In December 1883, Dan "Yorky" Kelly participated in a raid on Bisbee, Arizona, resulting in the deaths of several people. He was later tried, convicted of murder, and hanged on March 8, 1884. Kelly’s story is a grim reminder of the deadly consequences of outlawry, both for the perpetrators and their victims.
Edward O. Kelly: See Edward O’Kelley.
Jack Kelly: Like Frank Kearney, Jack Kelly was involved in the December 3, 1881, escape from the Las Vegas, New Mexico jail, alongside Dave Rudabaugh and John Joshua Webb.
Dave Kemp: Kemp’s life was a rollercoaster of lawlessness and (almost) respectability. Initially sentenced to hang for murder in Hamilton, Texas, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment after a failed escape attempt. He was later pardoned and became the Eddy County, New Mexico sheriff in 1889. However, his crooked dealings, including cattle theft, led to his forced departure. After a brief stint in Arizona, he returned to Eddy, where he shot and killed his replacement, Les Dow, but was acquitted on a plea of self-defense. Kemp eventually returned to Texas and was killed by his sister in the 1930s. Kemp’s story is a complex portrait of a man who straddled the line between lawman and outlaw, his actions driven by personal gain and a disregard for the law.
Charles Kennedy (18??-1870): Operating near Eagle Nest, New Mexico, Charles Kennedy preyed on travelers making their way to Taos. Robbing and killing his victims, Kennedy is considered one of the first known serial killers in the Southwest. His crimes highlight the vulnerability of individuals traveling through the remote and unforgiving landscapes of the Old West.
Hobbs Kerry: Recruited into the James-Younger Gang late in its career, Hobbs Kerry participated in the robbery of the Missouri Pacific train in Otterville, Missouri, on July 7, 1876. Described as a simpleton, his role was limited to holding the horses. Following the robbery, Kerry’s boasting in Joplin, Missouri, led to his arrest and the divulging of details about the gang and its members. His capture contributed to the downfall of one of the most infamous outlaw gangs in American history.
Samuel "Sam" Ketchum (18??-1899): Sam Ketchum, hailing from San Saba County, Texas, followed a path similar to his younger brother, Thomas "Black Jack" Ketchum, working as both a cowboy and an outlaw. His life was intertwined with the Ketchum Gang’s activities, contributing to their reputation as formidable train robbers in the Southwest.
Thomas E. "Black Jack" Ketchum (1862-1901): As the leader of the Ketchum Gang, Thomas "Black Jack" Ketchum terrorized the railroads of New Mexico, West Texas, and Arizona. His daring train robberies and ruthless demeanor earned him a fearsome reputation. Captured and sentenced to death, Ketchum was hanged in Clayton, New Mexico, on April 25, 1901. His execution became a spectacle, marking the end of an era of outlawry in the region.
Jack Kettle (18??-1889): According to a New York Times article in 1889, Kettle led a gang in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming until they were captured by vigilantes. Kettle, however, escaped. The story, however, was questioned by several Wyoming papers, which claimed the reporter fabricated the entire narrative.
John Kinney (18??-1919): Known as the "King Pin of Cattle Rustlers," John Kinney led the John Kinney Gang in New Mexico. His capture in 1893 and subsequent imprisonment led to the gang’s dissolution. Kinney’s story reflects the prevalence of cattle rustling as a major source of conflict and lawlessness in the Southwest. He died in Arizona in 1919.
Ben Kilpatrick (1874-1912): Known as "The Tall Texan," Ben Kilpatrick was a member of the Wild Bunch, participating in train and bank robberies across Nevada, Montana, and Texas. His outlaw career came to an end on March 13, 1912, when he was killed while robbing a Southern Pacific Railroad train in Sanderson Draw, Texas. Kilpatrick’s association with the Wild Bunch places him among the most notorious outlaws of the Old West.
Luther King: An Arizona outlaw accused by the Earps of robbing the Benson stage and killing the driver, Bud Philpot.
Sandy King (18??-1881): Operating in Arizona and New Mexico, Sandy King was a rustler and thief who met his end alongside William "Russian Bill" Tattenbaum in Shakespeare, New Mexico. His fate serves as a cautionary tale for those who chose a life of crime in the unforgiving landscape of the Old West.
Jack Kingsbury: An Arizona cowboy turned outlaw, Jack Kingsbury killed another cowboy at Calabasas, Arizona, in 1882 and fled to Mexico, where he was killed by lawmen.
Andrew Kirby: An Arizona outlaw implicated in the stagecoach robbery at Wickenburg on April 19, 1878.
George Kirk: A Nevada outlaw, he was lynched on July 13, 1881, at Virginia City, Nevada.
Jim Knight: A Texas outlaw, he robbed the Longview, Texas bank with his brother Jourdan on February 6, 1897. He was captured by a posse and received a life sentence.
Jourdan Knight: A Texas outlaw, he robbed the Longview, Texas bank with his brother Jim on February 6, 1897, and was killed in Bear Creek, Texas, by a lawman.
Ben E. Kuhl (1884-19??): Kuhl’s claim to fame rests on his status as the last known stage robber in the United States. On December 5, 1916, he stopped the mail stage traveling from Three Creek, Idaho, to Jarbidge, Nevada, stealing an estimated $4,000 and killing the stage driver, Fred M. Searcy. His subsequent arrest, conviction, and eventual parole after serving more than 27 years in prison mark the end of an era of stagecoach robberies.
Marvin Kuhns (1865-??): A thief and bank robber known for his ineptitude, Marvin Kuhns survived multiple gunshot wounds and prison sentences. After his release, he returned to crime with his brother Walter, robbing small-town banks in Indiana and Illinois. Eventually, he was shot and killed by an Illinois farmer while rustling livestock, ending a life marked by both bad luck and a persistent commitment to lawlessness. The stories within the Old West Outlaw List – K offer a compelling glimpse into the lives of individuals who dared to challenge the established order in a time of rapid change and expansion.
The Old West Outlaw List – K is a mere glimpse into the complex tapestry of the Wild West.
The Old West Outlaw List – K demonstrates a world where the lines between right and wrong were often blurred.
The Old West Outlaw List – K serves as a reminder of the enduring fascination with the American West and its legendary outlaws. These individuals, whether driven by desperation, greed, or a thirst for adventure, left an indelible mark on the history of the American West.