Old West Outlaw List – X-Z
The era of the Old West, a period romanticized in countless tales of cowboys, pioneers, and lawlessness, also spawned a notorious cast of characters who operated outside the boundaries of the law. These individuals, often driven by desperation, greed, or a thirst for adventure, left an indelible mark on the history of the American frontier. This article, focusing on outlaws whose surnames begin with the letters X, Y, and Z, offers a glimpse into the lives and deeds of some of these figures, painting a portrait of a turbulent and unforgiving time.
While the letter X yields no prominent entries in the annals of Old West outlaws, the letters Y and Z offer several figures, each with their own story of defiance and transgression. The following summaries provide brief accounts of their lives, highlighting their associations, criminal activities, and ultimate fates. This "Old West Outlaw List – X-Z" serves as a reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of the frontier.
Y
Erastus "Red" Yager (or Yeager) (1831-1864): Erastus Yager, known by the moniker "Red," occupied a complex and ultimately tragic position within the landscape of Montana’s early lawlessness. Initially aligned with Sheriff Henry Plummer’s notorious gang, the Innocents, Yager served as both an outlaw and a messenger, privy to the inner workings of their criminal enterprise. This placed him in a precarious position, caught between loyalty to his comrades and the burgeoning forces of law and order.
The Innocents, under Plummer’s leadership, terrorized the Montana Territory, engaging in robbery, theft, and murder. Their operations were shrouded in secrecy, making it difficult for law enforcement to effectively combat their reign of terror. Yager’s knowledge of the gang’s structure and activities made him a valuable asset, but also a potential liability.
Ultimately, Yager chose to betray Plummer and the Innocents, revealing their identities and exposing their criminal network. This decision, while potentially motivated by a desire for redemption or self-preservation, sealed his fate. In January 1864, Yager was captured by the Montana Vigilantes, a group of citizens who had taken the law into their own hands in response to the perceived ineffectiveness of the official justice system. The vigilantes, acting as judge, jury, and executioner, summarily lynched Yager, bringing his life to a violent and abrupt end.
Yager’s story serves as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of frontier justice and the treacherous alliances that defined the Old West. His involvement with the Innocents, followed by his betrayal and subsequent execution, illustrates the high stakes and moral ambiguities that characterized this period in American history. The legend of the "Old West Outlaw List – X-Z" includes tragic figures like Yager.
Oliver "Ol" Yantis (18??-1892): Oliver Yantis, known as "Ol," found himself drawn into the world of outlawry in the turbulent territories of Oklahoma. His path crossed with that of George "Bitter Creek" Newcomb, a prominent figure in the Doolin-Dalton Gang. Newcomb, recognizing Yantis’s potential or perhaps simply needing another hand, recruited him into the notorious gang.
The Doolin-Dalton Gang, a formidable force in the late 19th century, was responsible for a string of bank robberies, train heists, and other criminal activities across the Oklahoma and surrounding territories. Their daring exploits and reputation for violence made them a constant thorn in the side of law enforcement.
Yantis’s role within the Doolin-Dalton Gang remains somewhat obscure, but his association with the group undoubtedly placed him squarely on the wrong side of the law. He participated in the gang’s criminal endeavors, sharing in the risks and rewards of their illicit activities. Like many outlaws of the era, Yantis’s life was cut short by violence. He died in 1892, presumably in a shootout or other confrontation related to his outlaw activities. This "Old West Outlaw List – X-Z" is a reminder of the short, violent lives led by many of these individuals.
Dick Yeager: The name Dick Yeager is an alias used by Nathaniel Ellsworth Wyatt. See Nathaniel Ellsworth Wyatt for details.
Code (or Cole) Young, aka Cole Estes, Bob Harris, Tom Harris (1872-1896): Code Young, also known by several aliases including Cole Estes, Bob Harris, and Tom Harris, hailed from Texas and initially worked as a cowboy near Roswell, New Mexico. This seemingly innocuous beginning belied a darker path that would lead him into the ranks of outlawry. Young’s life took a turn when he joined the High Fives Gang, led by the infamous Will "Black Jack" Christian.
The High Fives Gang was known for its audacious robberies and its members’ willingness to use violence to achieve their aims. Young’s association with the gang marked his transition from a simple cowboy to a wanted criminal. He participated in the gang’s activities, contributing to their reputation for lawlessness and instilling fear in the communities they targeted.
Like many outlaws of the Old West, Young’s life was tragically short. He died in 1896, at the age of 24.
Granville Young (18??-1845): Granville Young was an outlaw associated with a gang that operated along the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River, a vital artery of commerce and transportation in the 19th century, also served as a haven for criminal activity. Gangs like the one Young belonged to preyed on travelers and merchants, engaging in robbery, theft, and other illicit activities. Young’s criminal career was brought to an end in Rock Island County, Illinois, where he was hanged for his crimes in 1845.
William Young: William Young was an outlaw operating in New Mexico. His criminal activities led to his capture and conviction. He was hanged in Silver City, New Mexico, in March 1881, bringing his life to a definitive end.
James "Jim" Younger (1848-1902): James Younger, more commonly known as "Jim," was a prominent member of the infamous James-Younger Gang. This notorious group, led by the legendary Jesse James and his brother Frank, along with the Younger brothers Cole, Jim, John, and Bob, terrorized the Midwest with a series of daring bank robberies, train heists, and other criminal exploits.
The James-Younger Gang operated with a level of audacity and ruthlessness that captured the public’s imagination, transforming them into both feared criminals and romanticized folk heroes. Jim Younger played a significant role in the gang’s activities, participating in numerous robberies and shootouts. His involvement in the gang’s criminal enterprises ultimately led to his capture and imprisonment.
Following a particularly disastrous robbery attempt in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1876, the James-Younger Gang was decimated. Jim Younger, along with his brothers Cole and Bob, was captured and sentenced to life in prison. After spending many years behind bars, Jim Younger was eventually paroled. However, the years of imprisonment had taken their toll, both physically and mentally. Shortly after his release, he took his own life, bringing a tragic end to a life marked by violence, crime, and imprisonment. The "Old West Outlaw List – X-Z" would not be complete without the inclusion of the Younger brothers.
John Harrison Younger (1851-1874): John Harrison Younger, another member of the James-Younger Gang, met a violent end in a shootout with Pinkerton Agents. The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, a private security firm, was often hired by banks, railroads, and other businesses to track down and apprehend criminals. Their pursuit of the James-Younger Gang was relentless, leading to numerous confrontations and shootouts. John Younger’s death in a shootout with Pinkerton Agents underscores the dangers faced by outlaws in the Old West.
Robert "Bob" Ewing Younger (1853-1889): Robert Younger, known as "Bob," also belonged to the James-Younger Gang. Like his brothers Jim and Cole, he was captured following the failed robbery in Northfield, Minnesota, and sentenced to life in prison. While incarcerated, Bob Younger contracted tuberculosis, a deadly disease that was rampant in the 19th century. He eventually succumbed to the disease, dying in prison.
Thomas Coleman "Cole" Younger (1844-1916): Thomas Coleman Younger, known as "Cole," was perhaps the most famous of the Younger brothers and a key member of the James-Younger Gang. His name is synonymous with the era of the Old West outlaw. Following his capture and imprisonment after the Northfield robbery, Cole Younger spent many years behind bars. However, unlike his brothers Jim and Bob, Cole Younger was eventually paroled and managed to turn his life around. After his release, he lived an honest life, renouncing his past criminal activities. He died in 1916, having successfully transitioned from notorious outlaw to respected citizen. The story of Cole Younger offers a glimmer of hope amidst the often-bleak tales of the "Old West Outlaw List – X-Z".
Z
Robert Zachary: Robert Zachary was a road agent operating in Montana during a period of intense lawlessness. He was suspected of being a member of Henry Plummer’s notorious gang of Innocents. The Innocents, under Plummer’s leadership, terrorized Montana, engaging in robbery, theft, and murder. Zachary’s alleged association with the gang made him a target of the Montana Vigilantes, a group of citizens who had taken the law into their own hands. The vigilantes, acting outside the official justice system, captured and hanged Zachary, bringing his criminal career to an abrupt end.
This "Old West Outlaw List – X-Z" represents only a small fraction of the individuals who operated outside the law during this tumultuous period in American history. Their stories, often filled with violence, betrayal, and tragedy, offer a glimpse into the complex and often contradictory nature of the Old West. They were products of their time, shaped by the harsh realities of the frontier, the lure of quick riches, and the absence of effective law enforcement. While their actions cannot be condoned, their stories continue to fascinate and intrigue, providing a valuable window into a bygone era.