Old West Outlaw List – P-Q
The American West, a vast and untamed expanse during the 19th century, served as both a land of opportunity and a haven for those who operated outside the boundaries of the law. This era, romanticized in countless tales and films, was populated by a diverse cast of characters, some striving for honest lives and others carving their paths through theft, violence, and disregard for societal norms. This Old West Outlaw List – P-Q offers a glimpse into the lives and deeds of some of the individuals whose names begin with the letters P and Q, and who, for various reasons, found themselves on the wrong side of the law in this turbulent period of American history.
This list, while not exhaustive, provides a snapshot of the varied motivations and actions that led individuals to become outlaws. Some were driven by economic hardship, others by the lingering effects of the Civil War, and still others by a simple thirst for adventure and a disregard for authority. The Old West Outlaw List – P-Q reveals that their stories are complex and often intertwined with the larger historical context of the American West.
The lives of these men and women were often short and brutal, marked by encounters with lawmen, rival gangs, and the ever-present threat of vigilante justice. Some met their ends in gunfights, others on the gallows, and a few managed to fade into obscurity, their crimes largely forgotten by history.
Outlaws: P
Alfred G. Packer: The name Alfred Packer is synonymous with one of the most gruesome episodes in the history of the American West: cannibalism. Packer, a prospector and guide venturing through the unforgiving Rocky Mountains in the 1870s, became infamous for his alleged consumption of his companions during a desperate winter in 1874. The circumstances surrounding the event remain shrouded in controversy, with Packer claiming self-defense, but the notoriety of the "Colorado Cannibal" has cemented his place in the annals of Western lore. He stands as a chilling reminder of the harsh realities faced by those who dared to venture into the wilderness.
Pablo Padilla: In Valencia County, New Mexico, Pablo Padilla earned a reputation as a horse thief and cattle rustler. His activities, common in the lawless territories of the West, ultimately led to his demise. In January 1872, Padilla met his fate at the hands of a lynch mob, a stark example of the swift and often brutal justice meted out by vigilantes in the absence of formal law enforcement. His story reflects the prevalence of livestock theft and the volatile social climate of the region.
George W. Padgett: George W. Padgett’s story takes place in Oklahoma, where he killed a man. He claimed self-defense, but the court found him guilty of murder. His case was sent to Fort Smith, Arkansas, a notorious hub for frontier justice. On September 9, 1881, Padgett was hanged, serving as a grim reminder of the consequences of violence in the Old West and the reach of the federal court system.
Billy Page: As a road agent operating in Montana, Billy Page was suspected of being a member of Henry Plummer’s infamous gang of "Innocents." This gang, accused of widespread robbery and murder, terrorized the region. Page’s alleged association with Plummer proved fatal. He was apprehended and summarily hanged by the Montana Vigilantes, a testament to the power and ruthlessness of vigilante groups in their efforts to restore order.
Manfred Paine: The story of Manfred Paine is a dark and disturbing one. The son of a suspected killer, Paine took the law into his own hands, shooting and killing his own father in Washington state. He then compounded his crimes by murdering the lawman who attempted to arrest him. His actions paint a picture of a troubled individual embroiled in a cycle of violence and lawlessness.
Geronimo Para: Geronimo Para’s life of crime culminated in his hanging in El Paso County, Texas, on January 6, 1900. As a bandit leader and murderer, Para’s actions instilled fear and unrest in the communities he preyed upon. His execution marked the end of his reign of terror and served as a warning to others who sought to profit from violence and lawlessness.
William Parchmeal: Operating in the often lawless Indian Territory, William Parchmeal committed murder. His crime led to his conviction and hanging at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on June 26, 1885. Parchmeal’s fate underscores the dangers inherent in the frontier environment and the role of the federal courts in maintaining a semblance of order.
Frank Parish (or Parrish): Frank Parish, also known as Parrish, lived a life shrouded in suspicion in Montana. He was labeled as a road agent and horse thief, and was suspected of being a member of Henry Plummer’s gang of Innocents. His alleged crimes led to his apprehension and hanging by the Montana Vigilantes in January 1864. His fate reflects the harsh realities of frontier justice and the dangers of being associated with criminal elements.
George Leroy Parker: This name might not be immediately recognizable, but George Leroy Parker is better known as Butch Cassidy. He was a notorious bank and train robber and the leader of the Wild Bunch gang. His story is one of daring heists, close escapes, and a life spent on the run from the law. Butch Cassidy remains one of the most iconic figures of the Old West, his name synonymous with outlawry and adventure.
Allen H. Parmer: Born in Missouri, Allen H. Parmer joined William Quantrill’s raiders during the Civil War. After the war, he allegedly joined the James-Younger Gang, but he later distanced himself from outlawry, attending business college and eventually marrying Susan Lavinia James, sister of Frank and Jesse James. He later managed a cattle company in Texas. His life represents a complex transition from Confederate guerilla to family man, highlighting the diverse paths taken by individuals who lived through the turbulent times of the Civil War and its aftermath. This Old West Outlaw List – P-Q has a story that is not only crime but also transition.
John Parris (or Parish): John Parris, an Indian outlaw and bootlegger, was accused of killing U.S. Deputy Marshal Dan Maples. His case highlights the tensions between Native American communities and federal law enforcement in the Old West. The arrest of Parris by U.S. Deputy Marshal John Curtis underscores the dangers faced by lawmen operating in Indian Territory.
George Parrot, aka George Francis Warden, George Manuse, George Curry, Big Nose George: George Parrot, known by a string of aliases and the moniker "Big Nose George," terrorized Wyoming with his gang. They robbed pay wagons and stages, disrupting commerce and instilling fear. His capture led to a conviction and a death sentence. However, before the execution could be carried out, he was lynched, highlighting the impatience and lack of faith in the legal system that often characterized frontier justice. This entry of Old West Outlaw List – P-Q shows that justice was quick.
Emanuel Patterson: Emanuel Patterson’s crime was the killing of U.S. Deputy Marshal Willard Ayers. His actions triggered a six-year manhunt, during which he remained a fugitive from justice. He was eventually tracked down and arrested by the legendary lawman Heck Thomas. Patterson’s life sentence and subsequent death in prison demonstrate the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement in the Old West.
C.C "Champ" Patterson: C.C. "Champ" Patterson was wanted for murder and bank robbery in Oklahoma. In his career, he killed a Shawnee Police Officer. His life of crime was cut short during a bank robbery in Boley, Oklahoma, where he was shot and killed. Patterson’s story underscores the violent and often short-lived nature of an outlaw’s existence.
William S. Pearl: William S. Pearl killed a soldier at Fort Stanton, New Mexico. His actions sparked outrage among the other soldiers stationed at the fort, who took matters into their own hands. Pearl was lynched by his fellow soldiers, demonstrating the harsh and unforgiving nature of military justice in the Old West.
Alexander Doniphan “Donnie” Pence: Alexander Doniphan “Donnie” Pence rode with William Quantrill during the Civil War. He was allegedly involved in the Liberty, Missouri Bank Robbery in 1866. He later became a respected sheriff in Nelson County, Kentucky. He died of typhoid fever in 1896. This entry of Old West Outlaw List – P-Q shows that not all Quantrill’s raiders stayed outlaws.
Thomas Edward “Bud” Pence: Thomas Edward “Bud” Pence rode with William Quantrill during the Civil War. He was allegedly involved in the Liberty, Missouri Bank Robbery in 1866. He died in 1880.
Louis Perkins: Louis Perkins was captured with Charlie Allison in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in June 1881. The capture of Perkins and Allison highlights the efforts of law enforcement to combat outlaw activity in the region.
Gabriel Petal: Gabriel Petal was a member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The White Caps were a notorious vigilante group that terrorized the area, engaging in acts of violence and intimidation. Petal’s association with the gang implicates him in their criminal activities.
Samuel Peters: Samuel Peters, after being accused of theft, stabbed James Hanson’s wife to death. His crime led to his conviction and hanging at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on September 8, 1876. Peters’ story underscores the brutal and unforgiving nature of frontier justice.
Lyon Phillipowski: Lyon Phillipowski was involved in a shoot-out with a store clerk in Lincoln County, New Mexico, on October 21, 1874. His involvement in the gunfight highlights the prevalence of violence and lawlessness in the region, particularly during the Lincoln County War.
Tom Pickett: Tom Pickett rode with Billy the Kid and was captured with him. He later served as a U.S. Deputy Marshal. He died in Arizona on May 14, 1934. Pickett’s story is one of redemption, as he transitioned from outlaw to lawman, using his knowledge of the criminal underworld to help bring justice to the West.
Charles “Charley” Pierce: Charley Pierce joined the Dalton Gang and then Bill Doolin’s Oklahombres. He was killed on May 2, 1895, with George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb when they were ambushed. This entry of Old West Outlaw List – P-Q shows that the Dalton gang spawned other outlaws.
George Pierce: George Pierce and his brother, John, robbed and murdered William Vandever. They were arrested and hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on April 30, 1896.
John Pierce: John Pierce and his brother, George, robbed and murdered William Vandever. They were arrested and hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on April 30, 1896.
Red Pipkin: Red Pipkin rode with Bronco Bill Walters.
Charles Pitts: Charles Pitts was killed during the James-Younger Gang’s attempted robbery of the First National Bank of Northfield, Minnesota.
Joe Pizanthia: Joe Pizanthia was suspected of being a member of Henry Plummer’s gang of "Innocents." He was shot and hanged by Montana Vigilantes.
Henry Plummer: Henry Plummer was a Montana lawman, he was supposedly the outlaw leader of a gang called the Innocents and was lynched by vigilantes.
John Pointer: John Pointer murdered a white man in the Chickasaw Nation. He was convicted of murder and hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on April 3, 1874.
Johnny Pointer: Johnny Pointer killed his traveling companions. He was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on September 24, 1894.
Librado Polanco: Librado Polanco was a member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico. He received a life sentence for robbery.
Frank Porter: Frank Porter was killed eighty miles west of Albuquerque in April 1888 by a posse.
John Postoak: John Postoak shot and killed John Ingley. On December 20, 1878, he was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Andrew Jackson Potter: Andrew Jackson Potter was an outlaw turned Methodist preacher.
“Powder Bill”: “Powder Bill” was hired to kill A.J. Fountain, but did not follow through.
William “Bill” Power, aka William St. Power, Tom Evans: William “Bill” Power was killed during the Coffeyville, Kansas, bank robbery.
Elmer Price: Elmer Price refused two pardons.
Nicholas Provencio: Nicholas Provencio was a member of the Jesse Evans Gang during New Mexico’s Lincoln County War. Afterward, he disappeared.
Aaron Purdy: Aaron Purdy was accused of whiskey running, robbing trains, and planning to kill a federal officer.
Tom Purdy: Tom Purdy was accused of whiskey running and robbing trains.
Ed Putman, aka Ed Sibley: Ed Putman was killed in a shoot-out with Texas Rangers.
Outlaws: Q
Kep Queen: Kep Queen robbed a bank at Cisco, Texas, in 1887. Sheriff Bud Sanders and a posse killed him.
Queho: Queho was labeled Nevada’s “Public Enemy No.1”.
Vic Queen: Vic Queen rode with Martin McRose in New Mexico.
Tom “Tex” Quinlan: Tom “Tex” Quinlan escaped from the Las Vegas, New Mexico jail with J.J. Webb and Dave Rudabaugh on December 3, 1881.
The Old West Outlaw List – P-Q is a reminder of the many stories, big and small, that make up the history of the American West. The lives of these outlaws, though often marked by violence and tragedy, offer a glimpse into the complexities of human nature and the challenges of establishing law and order in a rapidly changing society.