Old West Outlaw List – R
The era of the Old West, a period romanticized in countless tales of cowboys, gunfights, and untamed landscapes, was also a breeding ground for outlaws. These individuals, often driven by desperation, greed, or a disregard for the law, carved their names into the annals of history, leaving behind a legacy of daring exploits and violent confrontations. This article delves into the lives and deeds of some of the lesser-known outlaws whose surnames begin with the letter "R," offering a glimpse into their motivations, crimes, and ultimate fates.
This article will give an account of Old West Outlaw List – R.
Thomas Radigan: Radigan’s name surfaces as a member of Ike Stockton’s Gang, a group known for their outlaw activities. Details surrounding his specific crimes or his fate remain elusive, painting a picture of a figure operating in the shadows of the Old West.
Antonio Rael: Rael’s allegiance lay with the Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang, a notorious group operating in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The White Caps were known for their vigilante justice and often engaged in violent acts to protect their interests. Rael’s involvement ultimately led to his demise, as he was killed by fellow gang members Juan Romero and Sostenas Lucero, highlighting the treacherous nature of outlaw life.
William “Little Bill” Raidler (18??-??): "Little Bill" Raidler, as he was known, gained notoriety as a member of the infamous Doolin-Dalton Gang in Oklahoma. This gang terrorized the region with their robberies and daring escapes. Raidler’s outlaw career came to an end in 1895 when he was captured by U.S. Deputy Marshals. Sentenced to ten years in prison in Lansing, Kansas, Raidler’s fate took a turn when he was diagnosed with a terminal illness. He was eventually pardoned, allowing him to spend his final days with his loved ones.
William Randall: Randall’s crime was horse theft, a serious offense in the Old West, where horses were essential for transportation and livelihood. His actions led to a deadly confrontation on January 22, 1880, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, where he fatally shot Constable Joe Carson. Randall’s victory was short-lived, as he himself was killed in the aftermath.
Frank Rande, aka Charles Van Zandt: Rande, operating under the alias Charles Van Zandt, terrorized the states of Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana in the 1870s. His criminal activities eventually led to his imprisonment, where he met a violent end. In March 1884, Rande was shot and killed by guards while incarcerated.
Rattlesnake Dick: This outlaw is better known as Richard Barter, suggesting "Rattlesnake Dick" was a moniker he acquired due to his cunning or dangerous nature. Barter’s exploits and the details of his life are documented under his real name.
Charles T. Ray, aka “Pony” Deal (or Diehl): "Pony" Deal, formerly associated with the John Kinney Gang, later joined the Jesse Evans Gang during New Mexico’s tumultuous Lincoln County War. His criminal path led him to Arizona, where he became a Clanton Cowboy, aligning himself with one of the most notorious outlaw groups of the era. He was sought by Wyatt Earp during the Earp Vendetta Ride.
Joseph Raynolds: Raynolds’s crime involved stealing a horse from Captain Jack Crawford, a figure of some prominence in the West. His act resulted in his capture, conviction, and an 18-month prison sentence.
Ned Ray (18??-1864): Ray held the position of acting sheriff in Bannack, Montana, during Henry Plummer’s absence. Ray’s fate was sealed when he was hanged by the Montana Vigilantes, a group dedicated to restoring order through extrajudicial means.
Bob Reagin: Reagin operated as a member of the Little Dick West Gang, a group known for their criminal activities. His career was cut short when he was captured by the renowned lawman Heck Thomas.
Acasio Real: Real was a member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico, adding another name to the list of individuals involved in the gang’s violent activities.
Procopio Real: Like Acasio, Procopio Real was also a member of the Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang, further illustrating the gang’s presence and influence in the Las Vegas, New Mexico area.
Len Redfield: Redfield, suspected of being an outlaw in Arizona, met a brutal end when he was lynched in 1877 for allegedly robbing a stagecoach. This incident highlights the harsh and often unforgiving nature of justice in the Old West.
James Edwin Reed: As the son of Belle Starr and Jim Reed, James Edwin Reed inherited a legacy steeped in outlawry. He was known for his horse thieving activities and was suspected of participating in stagecoach and train robberies.
Jim Reed (1845?-1874): Reed’s life was intertwined with some of the most notorious figures and events of the era. He rode with Quantrill’s Raiders during the Civil War and later married Belle Starr. Reed was also involved with the James-Younger Gang and Tom Starr’s gang, solidifying his place in the outlaw world. His life came to a violent end in August 1874 when he was killed by a deputy sheriff in Paris, Texas.
Nathaniel “Texas Jack” Reed (1862-1950): Reed claimed to have been a successful bank and train robber in Oklahoma, claiming responsibility for four train robberies, seven bank jobs, and three stagecoach holdups.
Benny Reeves: As the son of U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves, Benny Reeves’s story takes a tragic turn. Wanted for murder in Oklahoma, Benny found himself on the opposite side of the law from his father.
John Reeves: Reeves’s name is associated with the Christian Gang, suggesting a group with a potentially hypocritical or ironic name, given their outlaw activities.
William Reeves: Reeves’s story mirrors that of Ned Ray, as he was also thought to have been a member of Henry Plummer’s gang of Innocents and was hanged by the Montana Vigilantes.
Reno Brothers: This group operated in the Midwestern United States during and just after the Civil War.
Richard Remine: Remine met his end in Silver City, New Mexico, where he was hanged in March 1881 for his outlaw activities.
Laris Reynolds: Reynolds was a member of Ike Stockton’s Gang, once again highlighting the gang’s presence in the Old West outlaw landscape.
Adam C. Ricchetti: Ricchetti’s criminal career led him to ride with "Pretty Boy" Floyd, a notorious bank robber. His crimes ultimately led to his execution in the gas chamber in Jefferson City, Missouri, on October 7, 1938.
Eva Ricchetti-Simpson: As the sister of Adam Ricchetti, Eva Ricchetti-Simpson also found herself on the wrong side of the law. She was wanted for robbery, forgery, car theft, and child abandonment.
Barney Kemp Riggs (1856-1902): Riggs, a Texas outlaw and gunfighter, met his end in Fort Stockton, Texas, in 1902.
Johnny Ringo [John Ringgold] (1850-1882): Ringo earned a deadly reputation in numerous gunfights and fought with Scott Cooley in the Mason County War. He later appeared in Tombstone, Arizona, and hooked up with the Clanton Gang. He was found dead, with some accounts attributing his demise to Wyatt Earp or Doc Holliday.
Andrew L. Roberts, aka: Buckshot Roberts, Bill Williams (18??-1878): Roberts, a Texas Ranger turned outlaw, stood his ground against Billy the Kid and the Regulators in 1878 in what became known as Buckshot Roberts Last Stand.
“Frank Pierce” Roberts: Roberts, a bootlegger operating in Indian Territory, was related to Pink and Jim Lee and was killed by posse men.
Ben Robertson, aka: Ben Burton, Ben Wheeler (1854?-1884): Robertson, a lawman turned outlaw, initially worked for Marshal Henry Brown as a deputy in Caldwell, Kansas. The two men turned outlaws, robbing a bank in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and were lynched on April 30, 1884.
John Robinson: Robinson, a black murderer in Oklahoma, was wounded during his capture by U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves. He succumbed to his injuries in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Jesus Rodriguez: Rodriguez fought with the Regulators in the Lincoln County War of New Mexico. Afterward, he disappeared.
William Roe: Roe, an ex-lawman, was hanged in Grimes County, Texas, on May 26, 1888, for committing murder.
Annie Rogers, aka: Della Moore, Maud Williams (18??-19??): Rogers was involved with Kid Curry and was considered a member of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch. She was charged with Curry as an accomplice, imprisoned in the Tennessee Penitentiary, and released on June 19, 1902.
Bob Rogers (1873-1895): Rogers, an Oklahoma outlaw and leader of the Rogers Brothers Gang during the early 1890s, murdered a lawman and was killed by a posse in Horseshoe Mound on March 13, 1895.
David Rogers: Rogers was arrested in 1889 for complicity in the robbery of an Army paymaster in the New Mexico Territory.
Dick Rogers: Rogers attempted to break a friend from jail on March 13, 1885, and was killed in the process.
Jim Rogers: Rogers was the brother of Bob Rogers and a member of his gang.
James Romaine: Romaine, a road agent in Montana, was thought to have been a member of Henry Plummer’s gang of Innocents and was hanged by the Montana Vigilantes.
Cristobel Romero: Romero, a New Mexico outlaw, was lynched in 1884 near Los Lunas.
Damon Romero: Romero, an outlaw and murderer, was hanged in Springer, New Mexico, on February 2, 1883.
Juan Romero: Romero, a member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico, participated in the murder of Antonio Rael.
Ricardo Romero, aka EI Romo: Romero served as Vicente Silva’s first lieutenant in the White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Torevio Romero: Romero killed Francisco Martinez on March 25, 1886, in Rio Quemado, New Mexico.
Kit Ross (1861-1886): Ross, a Cherokee Indian outlaw wanted for murder, was killed by Jonathan Davis.
E.C. Rucker: Rucker, a New Mexico lawman, aligned himself with the outlaw John Good.
David Rudabaugh, aka Dirty Dave (1854-1886): Rudabaugh served briefly as a lawman in Las Vegas, New Mexico, as part of the crooked Dodge City Gang. He rode with the Roark Gang, Doc Holliday, and Billy the Kid. He was shot and beheaded by vigilantes in Mexico in 1886.
Bill Rudolph, aka The Missouri Kid: Rudolph robbed banks in Missouri with George Collins in the 1900s and was captured in 1904 and hanged on May 8.
Rufus “Windy” Ruff: Ruff was lynched in Mora County, New Mexico, for killing Charles Norton.
John D. Ruggles (1859-1892): Ruggles served time in prison for robbery as a young man. After his release, he and his brother, Charles, robbed the Redding & Weaverville stage, resulting in the death of the stage guard.
Charles L. Ruggles (1870-1892): Ruggles committed his first crime when he joined his brother, John, in robbing a stagecoach.
Matt Rush: Rush, suspected of being a rustler, was killed by Tom Horn on July 9, 1900, near Brown’s Hole, Wyoming.
William “Bill” Ryan (18??-1889): Ryan, also known as Tom Hall and "Whiskey Head" Ryan, was a member of the James Gang. After serving time in prison for train robbery, he was found dead in the woods with his head smashed.
The stories of these outlaws, whose names begin with "R," offer a microcosm of the complexities and contradictions of the Old West. They were individuals who, for various reasons, chose a path outside the law, often with tragic consequences. Their lives serve as a reminder of the dangers and uncertainties that defined this era in American history. Old West Outlaw List – R is a reminder of the dark side of American expansion. The Old West Outlaw List – R shows the diversity of people who were on the wrong side of the law. This Old West Outlaw List – R will not be forgotten. The characters on this Old West Outlaw List – R will continue to fascinate people.