Richard “Zwing” Hunt – Robber Killed by Indians
The rugged landscape of the American West in the late 19th century was a crucible, forging legends and claiming lives with equal measure. Among the many who tested their mettle against this harsh backdrop was Richard "Zwing" Hunt, a man whose brief life traced a path from humble beginnings to a violent end, forever etching his name into the annals of frontier history. This is the story of Richard "Zwing" Hunt, a freighter turned outlaw, ultimately felled by the very dangers that defined the era: hostile Native Americans.
Born on March 29, 1858, in Burnett County, Texas, Richard Hunt, known as "Zwing," entered the world as the firstborn of Thomas W. and Mary Ann Elizabeth Hunt. He would be followed by five siblings, completing a family that sought to carve out a life amidst the sprawling Texas frontier. Little is known about his early life, but it can be assumed that he spent his formative years immersed in the demands of rural existence, learning the skills necessary for survival and contributing to the family’s well-being. These experiences would later shape his resilience and resourcefulness, traits that would both serve and ultimately betray him.
The turning point in Zwing Hunt’s life came in May 1880. The Hunt family received news that Zwing’s older half-brother, who had established a freight hauling business operating between the burgeoning towns of Tombstone, Arizona, and Hillsboro, New Mexico, had been killed in an encounter with Native Americans. This tragic event presented a complex dilemma. The family was faced with the responsibility of recovering the freighting equipment and settling the affairs of the deceased. It was Richard "Zwing" Hunt who stepped forward, undertaking the arduous journey to the Southwest.
Upon arriving in the volatile region, Richard "Zwing" Hunt assessed the situation and made a fateful decision. Instead of simply retrieving the equipment and returning home, he chose to seize the opportunity and continue his half-brother’s freighting business. This decision marked a significant departure from his previous life and plunged him into the heart of the Wild West, a place where fortunes were made and lost, and where the line between law and lawlessness often blurred. He may have been driven by ambition, a desire for adventure, or perhaps a need to provide for his family. Whatever the reason, this choice set him on a course that would lead to a life of crime and a violent demise.
The freighting business, while potentially lucrative, was fraught with peril. The vast expanses of the Arizona and New Mexico territories were plagued by bandits, hostile Native American tribes, and a general sense of lawlessness. To survive, freighters often had to rely on their wits, their courage, and their ability to defend themselves. It was in this environment that Richard "Zwing" Hunt began to associate with a rough element of society. He soon found himself in the company of desperate characters, individuals who operated outside the boundaries of the law and were willing to resort to violence to achieve their goals.
Among his unsavory associates were members of the infamous Clanton Gang, a notorious group of outlaws known for their involvement in cattle rustling, stagecoach robberies, and other criminal activities. He also partnered with a man named Billy Grounds, another figure with a reputation for violence and disregard for the law. These alliances solidified Zwing Hunt’s descent into the world of outlawry, and it was only a matter of time before he would cross the line and commit a crime that would forever alter his destiny.
That moment arrived on March 25, 1882. Richard "Zwing" Hunt and Billy Grounds attempted to rob the Tombstone Mining and Milling Company in Charleston, Arizona, a town that served as a vital processing center for the rich silver mines of the region. The robbery was poorly planned and quickly went awry. When confronted by a company employee, Hunt and Grounds panicked and opened fire, killing the man before fleeing the scene empty-handed. This act of violence transformed Zwing Hunt from a mere associate of outlaws into a cold-blooded killer, marking him as a target for law enforcement and placing a bounty on his head.
News of the failed robbery and the subsequent murder spread quickly, reaching the ears of U.S. Deputy Marshal William Breakenridge, a seasoned lawman known for his determination and unwavering pursuit of justice. Breakenridge quickly assembled a posse and set out to track down the two killers, determined to bring them to justice for their crime. The posse followed the trail of Hunt and Grounds, eventually cornering them at the Jack Chandler Ranch near Tombstone.
A brief but intense gunfight ensued. The air filled with the roar of gunfire and the acrid smell of gunpowder. In the chaotic exchange, Breakenridge managed to fatally wound Billy Grounds, ending his criminal career in a hail of bullets. Zwing Hunt was also struck by gunfire, sustaining serious injuries. Tragically, one of the deputized members of the posse, John Gillespie, was killed in the shootout. Two other posse members were wounded but would survive.
Due to the severity of his wounds, Richard "Zwing" Hunt was taken into custody and placed in a hospital. However, surprisingly, he was left unguarded, perhaps due to the assumption that his injuries would prevent him from escaping. Meanwhile, Zwing Hunt’s family, deeply concerned about his descent into criminality, sent his brother, Hugh, to Arizona in an attempt to persuade him to return home and abandon his life of crime.
On April 28, 1882, Hugh, aided by his brother’s weakened state and the lack of security, helped Zwing escape from the hospital. The two brothers fled into the rugged mountains surrounding Tombstone, seeking refuge from the law and hoping to evade capture. They hid amongst the canyons and peaks, relying on their knowledge of the terrain and their survival skills to stay one step ahead of their pursuers.
Their freedom, however, would be short-lived. On May 31, 1882, just over a month after their escape, the Hunt brothers were surprised by a band of Apache Indians. The details of the encounter remain unclear, but it is believed that the Apaches were either seeking revenge for past transgressions or simply viewed the two men as intruders in their territory. Regardless of the motive, the encounter proved fatal for Richard "Zwing" Hunt. He was shot and killed by the Apaches, bringing his tumultuous life to an abrupt and violent end. His brother, Hugh, managed to escape the ambush and eventually returned to Texas, carrying the tragic news of Zwing’s demise.
The life of Richard "Zwing" Hunt serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers and temptations that lurked in the American West during the late 19th century. His story is a reminder that the pursuit of fortune and adventure could often lead down a path of violence and destruction. He went from a freight hauler to a robber killed by Indians. While his name may not be as widely known as some of the more famous outlaws of the era, his story is a microcosm of the larger narrative of the Wild West, a time and place where life was cheap and death was always just around the corner.