Old West Outlaw List – T
The American West, a land of vast landscapes and burgeoning opportunity in the 19th century, also harbored a darker side, a realm of outlaws, bandits, and desperados. This article, part of a continuing series, delves into the lives and misdeeds of some of the individuals whose names begin with the letter "T" who carved a niche, often a violent one, in the annals of the Old West. From train robbers to rustlers, gunfighters to murderers, these figures represent a diverse range of criminal activity that plagued the frontier. This Old West Outlaw List – T seeks to shed light on their stories, offering a glimpse into their motivations, their crimes, and their ultimate fates.
Before we embark on this journey through the lives of these individuals, it is important to understand the context of the era. The rapid expansion of the United States westward brought with it a breakdown of traditional social structures, leaving room for lawlessness to flourish. The Civil War further exacerbated this situation, leaving many men displaced and disillusioned, some of whom turned to crime as a means of survival or revenge. The lure of quick riches, the availability of firearms, and the often-ineffective law enforcement created a volatile environment that allowed outlaws to thrive. Understanding this historical backdrop is crucial for appreciating the stories that follow in this Old West Outlaw List – T.
This Old West Outlaw List – T serves as a compendium of individuals whose actions, whether driven by desperation, greed, or malice, have etched their names into the historical record.
Frank Taggart (1861?-1884)
Frank Taggart’s story is a tragic tale of a cowboy who strayed from the path of honest labor and met a violent end. Believed to have originated in Texas, Taggart drifted westward to the rugged territory of New Mexico. There, he fell in with a rough crowd of cowboy outlaws, associating with notorious figures like Kit Joy. Taggart’s descent into criminality culminated on November 24, 1883, when he joined Joy, Mitch Lee, and George Washington Cleveland in a brazen robbery of a Southern Pacific Train. The location of this daring heist was several miles east of Gage Station, New Mexico, a spot likely chosen for its remoteness and potential for a quick escape. However, the robbery took a deadly turn when railroad engineer Theophilus C. Webster was killed during the act.
The law, though sometimes slow, eventually caught up with Taggart. On January 14, 1884, Sheriff Harvey Whitehill of Grant County, New Mexico, apprehended him in Apache County, Arizona. Taggart was then incarcerated in the Silver City jail, awaiting trial for his crimes. However, justice was delayed. On March 10, 1884, Taggart, along with his three train-robbing accomplices and other prisoners, staged a daring escape. The authorities, spurred into action, quickly formed a posse and gave chase. The pursuit ended in a violent confrontation, a gun battle that resulted in the deaths of George Cleveland and a posse member named Joe Lafferr. Mitch Lee was severely wounded in the shootout, but he and Taggart were recaptured and returned to the jail.
The death of Joe Lafferr ignited the passions of the local citizenry. Enraged and seeking immediate retribution, they formed a makeshift "court" and, without due process, pronounced Taggart and the wounded Mitch Lee guilty of murder. The mob then lynched both men, taking justice into their own hands. Kit Joy, the third member of the train-robbing gang, managed to escape during the initial pursuit but was apprehended ten days later. He was eventually sentenced to life in prison, a stark contrast to the swift and brutal justice meted out to his accomplices. The story of Frank Taggart serves as a grim reminder of the volatile nature of frontier justice and the consequences of choosing a life of crime.
William "Russian Bill" Tattenbaum (18??-1881)
Known by the moniker "Russian Bill," William Tattenbaum was a gunman, rustler, and thief who roamed the lawless territories of the Old West. His name suggests a possible Russian heritage, adding an element of intrigue to his already colorful persona. Tattenbaum was a member of the notorious Clanton Gang, a group of outlaws that terrorized southeastern Arizona Territory. The Clanton Gang was involved in a variety of criminal activities, including cattle rustling, stagecoach robberies, and even murder. "Russian Bill’s" involvement with the gang likely cemented his reputation as a dangerous and ruthless individual. His end came swiftly and violently in Shakespeare, New Mexico, where he was hanged alongside Sandy King. The fate of "Russian Bill" highlights the dangers inherent in a life of crime during this tumultuous period.
Charles Fletcher Taylor (1842?-1912)
Charles Fletcher Taylor’s life took a dramatic turn from Confederate soldier to outlaw and, ultimately, to respected citizen. During the Civil War, Taylor rode with William Quantrill, a notorious Confederate guerrilla leader known for his brutal tactics. Taylor participated in several battles, including the infamous Lawrence, Kansas raid, an event marked by extreme violence and destruction. He rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a Captain of a Missouri Partisan Ranger band in late June 1864. However, his military career was cut short in August 1864 when he sustained a wound that necessitated the amputation of his arm.
After the Civil War, Taylor’s path briefly intersected with the infamous James-Younger Gang. He allegedly participated in the Liberty, Missouri Bank Robbery in 1866, a crime that cemented the gang’s notoriety. However, Taylor soon abandoned his outlaw life and sought a more legitimate path. He moved to Joplin, Missouri, where he amassed a fortune in the lead mines. He entered politics, being elected to the Missouri State Legislature. After a brief stint in politics, he moved to Nebraska and later to California around 1892. He died at the age of 70 and was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in San Francisco, California. Taylor’s transformation from outlaw to respected citizen is a testament to the possibility of redemption and the complexities of the human experience.
Jack Hays Taylor (18??-1869)
Jack Hays Taylor’s name is inextricably linked to the notorious Taylor-Sutton Feud in Texas. A gunfighter and outlaw, he was deeply involved in this bloody conflict, which pitted two families against each other in a cycle of violence and revenge. The Taylor-Sutton Feud was one of the most infamous and long-lasting feuds in Texas history, claiming the lives of numerous individuals and leaving a legacy of bitterness and resentment. Jack Hays Taylor’s involvement in the feud solidified his reputation as a dangerous and volatile figure.
Jack J. Taylor
Jack J. Taylor was a member of a gang of train robbers and killers that operated in Arizona and New Mexico. His criminal activities spanned across the Southwest, terrorizing communities and disrupting the flow of commerce. His gang’s primary focus was train robbery, a crime that often involved violence and bloodshed. Taylor’s career as a train robber came to an end when he was finally captured and sentenced to life in prison for a train robbery in 1888.
Jose Telles
Jose Telles, a New Mexico outlaw, met his end at the gallows in Santa Fe on April 3, 1903. The nature of his crimes remains somewhat obscure, but his execution suggests that they were severe. His story serves as a reminder of the harsh consequences faced by those who chose to defy the law in the Old West.
Octoviano Telles
Octoviano Telles, also a New Mexico outlaw, managed to evade the authorities for years, demonstrating a cunning and resourcefulness that allowed him to remain at large. His ability to elude capture speaks to the challenges faced by law enforcement in the vast and sparsely populated territories of the Old West. However, his luck eventually ran out, and he was finally arrested on August 13, 1907.
Te-o-lit-se
Te-o-lit-se, a Creek Indian, met his end at the gallows in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on June 29, 1883. He was convicted of shooting and killing a traveler named E.R. Cochran to rob him of a meager $7.40. His story highlights the desperation and poverty that drove some individuals to commit acts of violence.
William Terwilliger
William Terwilliger was a road agent in Montana, a term used to describe bandits who preyed on travelers along roadways. He was thought to have been a member of Henry Plummer’s gang of Innocents, a group of outlaws who terrorized Montana Territory. The Montana Vigilantes, a group of citizens who took the law into their own hands, hanged him for his crimes.
Charles Thomas
Charles Thomas was an outlaw and cattle rustler in New Mexico. Cattle rustling was a common crime in the Old West, as livestock was a valuable commodity. Thomas’s activities likely brought him into conflict with ranchers and law enforcement officials.
William H. Thompson (aka Kid Thompson)
William H. Thompson, also known as Kid Thompson, was a California outlaw who twice robbed trains near Los Angeles with Johnson in December 1893 and February 1895. In the summer of 1895, he was captured and sent to prison.
George Tobler (18??-1890)
George Tobler, a member of the Choctaw Nation in Indian Territory, killed a rival, Irvin Richmond, over a woman. He was hanged in January 1890 at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Captain George W. Todd
Captain George W. Todd, a Missouri outlaw, fought alongside Cole Younger in Bill Anderson’s guerrilla army and was killed after the war.
John Tornow (1880-1912)
John Tornow, a former mental patient who had become a legend among local loggers in Washington, was killed in a pitched gun battle in the spring of 1912.
William "Billy" Towerly (1870-1887)
William “Billy” Towerly, an outlaw horse thief, the 17-year-old killed, in less than a month, two U.S. Deputy Marshals – Frank Dalton and Ed Stokley.
Harry Tracy (1874-1902)
Harry Tracy rode with Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch before making his way to Washington, where he rode with outlaw Dave Merrill. The two were later apprehended and sent to Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem. During a prison escape in 1902, Tracy killed Merrill and then committed suicide when a posse in eastern Washington surrounded him.
Charles Trentham
Charles Trentham, an outlaw and a Texas Ranger, killed a man in Marla, Texas, before fleeing first to New Mexico, then to Indian Territory.
Antonio Maria Trujillo
Antonio Maria Trujillo, a New Mexico outlaw, was hanged for high treason on February 18, 1883.
Julian Trujillo
Julian Trujillo was one of the many members of Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang.
Jim Tucker
Jim Tucker, an outlaw and murderer, poisoned W.F. Fletcher. Later, he was shot and killed by Deputy Sheriff Henry Barton in Pinos Altos, New Mexico, on May 20, 1882.
This Old West Outlaw List – T provides a snapshot of some of the individuals who lived on the fringes of society during a pivotal period in American history. Their stories, though often tragic and violent, offer a valuable insight into the complexities of the Old West and the challenges faced by those who sought to establish law and order in a land often defined by lawlessness.