Old West Outlaw List – S

The American Old West, a period romanticized and often mythologized, was a crucible of expansion, opportunity, and lawlessness. Beyond the tales of heroic lawmen and pioneering settlers existed a shadowy underbelly populated by outlaws, individuals who operated outside the boundaries of the law, carving their own paths through a landscape often devoid of justice. This list, focusing on outlaws whose surnames begin with the letter "S," offers a glimpse into the diverse backgrounds, motivations, and fates of those who challenged the established order in the Old West. The keyword Old West Outlaw List – S serves as our guide through this collection of individuals.

This compilation aims to provide a detailed, informative overview of these figures, drawing from historical records and accounts to paint a comprehensive picture of their lives and deeds. From notorious gang members to lone wolves, each entry sheds light on the complexities of the era and the factors that contributed to a life of crime. The stories contained within this Old West Outlaw List – S are testaments to the harsh realities and the constant struggle between order and chaos that defined the American frontier. Understanding these individuals requires more than just knowing their crimes; it demands an exploration of the societal forces, economic pressures, and personal choices that shaped their destinies. Let us delve into the profiles, attempting to separate fact from legend, and gain a deeper understanding of the individuals who make up this segment of the Old West Outlaw List – S.

• Doroteo Saenz: Saenz was a lieutenant in John Kinney’s Gang, a notorious group of gunmen operating in the tumultuous landscapes of the Southwest. His association with Kinney marked him as a professional criminal, dedicated to a life of violence and illicit activity. Saenz’s life was cut short in July 1877, when he was killed by a militia led by Albert J. Fountain, highlighting the dangers faced by outlaws in their confrontations with both law enforcement and citizen posses.

• John "Rattlesnake Jack" Said: This Idaho outlaw met his end in Weiser City in November 1882, after being shot and killed by the local sheriff and a posse. His nickname suggests a dangerous and unpredictable nature, fitting for a man operating outside the bounds of the law in the rugged terrain of Idaho. The Old West Outlaw List – S reveals the harsh consequences faced by those who dared to defy the authority of the law.

• Carlos Sais: Sais faced the ultimate penalty for his crimes, sentenced to hang for murder on December 17, 1906. His case underscores the severity of justice in the early 20th century and the unwavering pursuit of criminals, even as the era of the "Wild West" began to fade.

• Omer W. Sample, aka Red George Lincoln (1860-1884): A member of the Heath Gang, Sample’s outlaw career culminated in his execution in Tombstone, Arizona, on March 8, 1884. His hanging for robbery serves as a stark reminder of the consequences that awaited those who chose a life of crime in the boomtowns and settlements of the American Southwest.

• Sam Sampson: Sampson, a Creek Indian, belonged to the infamous Rufus Buck Gang. His crimes of murder, robbery, and rape led to his execution at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on July 1, 1896. Sampson’s story highlights the complex interplay between Native American populations and the encroaching Western legal system.

• George Sanders: As a member of the Bill Cook Gang in the Indian Territory, Sanders’ outlaw career was ended by lawmen. His fate was typical for those associated with criminal organizations operating in the often lawless Indian Territory.

• Osey (or Osee) Sanders (1847-1876): Despite proclaiming his innocence, Sanders was convicted of the murder of Thomas S. Carlyle and hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on September 8, 1876. His case exemplifies the often-tenuous nature of justice in the Old West, where reputations and circumstantial evidence could sway juries and seal fates.

• Juan Sandobal: Sandobal’s life ended abruptly when he was lynched in Las Lunas, New Mexico, on December 15, 1871. His story underscores the role of vigilante justice in the Old West, where communities often took the law into their own hands, bypassing formal legal processes.

• Remigio Sandoval, aka El Gavilan: A member of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Sandoval participated in the gang’s violent activities. His association with Silva, a figure of significant power and influence, placed him in the heart of organized crime in the region.

• Scarface Joe: This Indian outlaw, operating in Oklahoma, was killed by Sheriff John Fightmaster while attempting to escape from jail. His story illustrates the dangers faced by both law enforcement and inmates in the often-unsecured jails of the Old West.

• S. Schroeder: Schroeder’s escape from jail in Las Vegas, New Mexico, on December 3, 1881, alongside notorious figures like David Rudabaugh and J.J. Webb, cemented his status as a significant outlaw of the era. His brief but impactful escape highlights the vulnerability of law enforcement institutions in the face of determined criminals.

• E. Scott: Scott, a wanted outlaw with a reward for his arrest, demonstrated his violent nature by killing several men on December 20, 1873, in Lincoln County, New Mexico.

• Cherry Scott: Scott was acquitted of killing her mother while sleeping due to insanity.

• John Scott: He was shot and killed by Springer, New Mexico Deputy Sheriff Frank P. Nichols on May 17, 1883.

• James See (18??-1887): See was a Texas outlaw, murderer, and rustler in the 1860s, who later died in California in 1887.

• Isham Seely (18??-1876): Seely was convicted of the murder of Squirrel Funny. He was hanged on April 21, 1876.

• Jose Segura: He was lynched by vigilantes on July 10, 1876, near Fort Stanton, New Mexico.

• John Henry Selman (1839-1896): A lawman, gunfighter, and outlaw, he led a gang called Selman’s Scouts in New Mexico. George Scarborough killed him on April 6, 1896.

• "Tom Cat" Selman: The younger brother of John Selman and a member of Selman’s Scouts, he was lynched in 1882 under mysterious circumstances.

• Milton Anthony Sharp: A stage robber, Sharp was captured and sent to the penitentiary in Carson City, Nevada, in 1880.

• George Shears: He was thought to have been a member of Henry Plummer’s gang and was hanged by Montana Vigilantes.

• Ben Sheedy: He was shot while attempting to escape arrest in Lincoln, New Mexico, in September 1887.

• Larry Sheehan: The outlaw leader of a group of train robbers in 1887 in New Mexico.

• Iron Jack Sheet: A California outlaw known as a "Robinhood," he was lynched by vigilantes from Idaho and Montana.

• George Shields, aka "Satan Shields": Shields killed six men with an ax in a saloon in Oklahoma City.

• George Washington Shepherd (1842-1917): A member of Quantrill’s Raiders and the James-Younger Gang, he served three years in prison for a bank robbery in Kentucky.

• Oliver Shepherd (1842-1868): He was killed by a posse in Jackson County, Missouri, on April 4, 1868.

• Carlos Sias: He was hanged in January 1907 in Socorro, New Mexico.

• W.H. "Billy" Simms: A saloon keeper in San Antonio, Texas, who was suspected of killing King Fisher and Ben Thompson.

• Vicente Silva (1845-1895): The leader of a gang called Silva’s White Caps, he was killed by members of his gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico, in 1895.

• Dionicio Sisneros, aka: Candelas): He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

• Cyrus "Cy" Skinner (1828-1864): He was hanged by the Montana Vigilantes in 1864.

• Joseph Alfred Slade, aka Jack Slade (1824-1864): He was hanged by the Montana Vigilantes.

• Charlie Smith (18??-1874): A horse thief, Smith was lynched along with two other horse thieves in Caldwell, Kansas.

• Dave Smith: He was killed by U.S. Deputy Marshal James Cole.

• William "Bill" Smith: He was lynched while awaiting trial.

• Joe Smith: A Texas outlaw, he was arrested for murder in New Mexico by Texas Rangers.

• Rentie Smith: An Oklahoma Indian outlaw, he was brought in by Heck Thomas.

• Richard Smith: He was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 25, 1889.

• Sandy Smith: He died in jail before the case came to trial.

• William Snider, aka Bill Caveness: An outlaw arrested at Springerville, Arizona, in November 1877.

• Charles Snow, aka Johnson: He was shot and killed by Mexicans in an ambush in Guadalupe Canyon, Arizona, on August 12, 1881.

• Jess "Buck" Snyder: He was captured after a bank robbery.

• Stanley Snyder: An Oklahoma outlaw who rode with Al Spencer and Jelly Nash.

• John Spurgeon: He was arrested by Heck Thomas near Carney, Oklahoma.

• John Stansberry: He was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on July 9, 1890.

• George C. Sontag, aka George Bohm: He was captured, sent to prison, and released in 1908.

• John Sontag: He died in a Fresno, California, jail in 1893.

• Jack Spaniard, aka: Jack Sevier (18??-1889): He was found guilty of murder and hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on August 30, 1889.

• Bob Speakes: He later moved to Texas, enlisted in the Texas Rangers in 1880, was soon discharged, and then disappeared.

• Charles Spencer: He escaped in March 1884 with the Kit Joy Gang.

• Pete Spence, aka Peter Spencer, Elliot Larkin Ferguson (1852?-1914): Suspected of killing Morgan Earp.

• Lincoln Sprole (18??-1886): He was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on July 23, 1886.

• Belle Starr, aka the "Outlaw Queen" (1848-1889): Starr became an outlaw herself and was the first woman to be tried for a serious crime by Judge Isaac Parker.

• Douglas Starr: Nephew of Henry Starr.

• Henry Starr (1873-1921): He was killed while attempting to rob a bank in Harrison, Arkansas, in 1921.

• Sam Starr: A Cherokee Indian outlaw in Oklahoma.

• Bud Stephens: He was murdered by Henry Loftis.

• John Stephens (1859?-1887): He was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on January 14, 1887.

• Bud Stevens: Stevens himself was killed by Bully July.

• Jennie Stevens, aka Little Britches: She was arrested in 1894 and sent to the Federal Reformatory in Framingham, Massachusetts.

• Dr. Henri Stewart: He was arrested, convicted, and hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on August 29, 1879.

• William “Billy” Larkin Stiles, aka William Larkin (1871-1908): He established the Alvord-Stiles Gang, which operated in Arizona at the turn of the century.

• William “Bill” Stiles of the James-Younger Gang: See William “Bill” Chadwell.

• Frank C. Stillwell (1856-1882): Frank was an outlaw Cowboy, gunman, and businessman who was suspected of killing Morgan Earp.

• I.N. "Buck" Stinson (18??-1864): He was hanged by Montana Vigilantes.

• Issac "Ike" Stockton (1852-1881): Stockton was shot and wounded by lawmen, captured, and died after having his leg amputated on September 27, 1881.

• William Porter "Port" Stockton (1864-1881): He was shot and killed in Farmington, New Mexico, in 1881.

• Tom Story: An Oklahoma outlaw, he was killed by U.S. Deputy Bass Reeves.

• Thomas Stockton: He killed several cattle rustlers in the 1870s and was allegedly tried for murder.

• Otis Stuhl: A horse thief and member of the Green-Whitehead Gang in Oklahoma.

• Sundance Kid: See Harry Longabaugh

• Hank Swilling: An outlaw and member of the Clanton Cowboys who operated in Arizona and New Mexico.

This Old West Outlaw List – S offers a glimpse into the lives and legacies of individuals who operated outside the law in a tumultuous era. The information presented here, while concise, serves as a foundation for further exploration into the complexities of the American West and the characters who shaped its history.