Rufus Buck – Creek Outlaw – Legends of America
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of outlaws, lawmen, and the clashes that defined a tumultuous era. Among these narratives, the story of Rufus Buck and his gang stands out, not only for the brazenness of their crimes but also for the complex socio-political context in which they operated. Rufus Buck, a Creek Indian outlaw, carved a niche for himself in the history of Oklahoma during the sweltering summer of 1895, leaving a trail of fear and bloodshed in his wake.
Early Life and Descent into Crime
Born around 1875, Rufus Buck was a product of a mixed heritage, with a black mother and a Creek father. This placed him at a unique intersection of cultures and identities, a position that may have contributed to his early troubles. Even as a young boy, Rufus found himself on the wrong side of the law, and by the age of 18, he had already tasted incarceration in the Fort Smith, Arkansas jail for minor offenses. These early brushes with the law set the stage for his later, more egregious transgressions.
Formation of the Buck Gang
In the summer of 1895, Rufus Buck took a decisive step towards infamy by forming a gang. This was not a meticulously planned organization but rather a ragtag group of five teenage boys, united by a shared sense of disenfranchisement and a thirst for rebellion. The gang members were a diverse mix of black, Native American, and mixed-race individuals, reflecting the complex ethnic landscape of the Indian Territory.
Driven by a desire to etch his name into the annals of history and fueled by a vision of triggering an Indian uprising that would expel the white majority from Indian Territory, Rufus christened his band the "Buck Gang." Their initial focus was on amassing weapons, a prelude to the wave of violence and robbery that would soon engulf the region. Buck, with a flair for the dramatic, boasted that his gang would "make a record that would sweep all the other gangs of the territory into insignificance."
A Reign of Terror
Beginning on July 30, 1895, the Buck Gang unleashed a ten-day spree of murder and robbery that terrorized the white settlers, neighboring Indians, and African-American freedmen of the area. Their actions were characterized by a cold-blooded disregard for human life and a willingness to employ extreme violence to achieve their goals.
The gang’s first major act of violence occurred on July 30, when they encountered U.S. Deputy Marshal John Garrett during a store robbery in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In a brutal confrontation, the outlaws killed Garrett, sending a clear message that they would not hesitate to confront law enforcement.
Emboldened by their success, the Buck Gang embarked on a campaign of robbery, targeting stores, ranches, and individual settlers. Their methods were ruthless, and they left a trail of destruction and despair in their wake. In addition to robbery, the gang committed further acts of violence, including the murder of two more men and the rape of two women. These heinous crimes cemented their reputation as a gang of ruthless and depraved outlaws.
Capture and Justice
The Buck Gang’s reign of terror was short-lived. Law enforcement agencies, spurred into action by the escalating violence, launched a concerted effort to apprehend the outlaws. After a relentless pursuit, the gang was finally captured and brought to justice.
The trial of Rufus Buck and his gang was a major event, attracting widespread attention and scrutiny. The evidence against them was overwhelming, and they were quickly convicted of their crimes. On July 1, 1896, all five members of the Buck Gang were hanged at Fort Smith, bringing an end to their brief but violent careers.
Historical Significance and Legacy
The story of Rufus Buck and his gang offers a glimpse into the complex social and political dynamics of the American West in the late 19th century. Their actions were a product of the unique circumstances of the Indian Territory, a region grappling with issues of race, land ownership, and the encroachment of white settlers.
While their crimes were undoubtedly reprehensible, the Buck Gang’s story also highlights the struggles of marginalized groups in a society marked by inequality and injustice. Their rebellion, though misguided and ultimately destructive, can be seen as a desperate attempt to assert their agency in a world that sought to deny them their rights and dignity.
The legacy of Rufus Buck and his gang continues to fascinate and provoke debate. They have been romanticized in some accounts, portrayed as symbols of resistance against oppression. However, it is important to remember the victims of their crimes and the suffering they inflicted. The story of the Buck Gang serves as a reminder of the dark side of the American West and the complex legacy of violence and injustice that continues to shape the region today.
Also See:
- Adventures of the Old West
- Outlaws on the Frontier
- Outlaw & Scoundrel Photo Galleries
- U.S. Marshals – Two Centuries of Bravery
Sources:
- Harvard Magazine
- Nash, Robert; Encyclopedia of Western Lawmen & Outlaws; De Capo Press; New York, NY, 1994.
- National Park Service
- Oklahoma Historical Society
- Wikipedia