Six Shooter Bill – Little Known Desperado
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of daring lawmen, notorious outlaws, and the inevitable clashes that defined an era. While figures like Wyatt Earp and Billy the Kid have achieved near-mythical status, many other individuals, equally compelling in their own right, have faded into the dusty corners of history. One such figure is James W. Smith, a desperado better known by his chilling moniker: "Six-Shooter Bill." This article seeks to illuminate the life and times of Six Shooter Bill, a little-known character whose criminal exploits, though not as widely celebrated, contributed to the tumultuous narrative of the Old West.
James W. Smith, the man who would become Six Shooter Bill, operated under a series of aliases, a common practice among those seeking to evade the long arm of the law. He was also known as John Henry Jankins, Six-Shooter Smith, and California Jim. These shifting identities served as a cloak, allowing him to move between towns and criminal circles with a degree of anonymity. This makes tracking his movements and definitively verifying every aspect of his life a challenge for historians.
Born, purportedly, in Texas around 1856, the early life of Six Shooter Bill remains shrouded in uncertainty. By the 1870s, reports placed him in the vicinity of Gainesville, Texas. A Bill Smith was wanted for murder in Cooke County, Texas, in 1878. However, whether this was indeed the same "Bill Smith" who would later gain notoriety as a gunfighter remains an open question. The records are incomplete, and the tendency for individuals to adopt aliases further complicates the matter.
The first concrete evidence of his criminal activities surfaces in August 1878, when he found himself in Dodge City, Kansas, a town synonymous with lawlessness and frontier justice. Dodge City, a booming cow town, attracted a diverse population, from cattle drivers and businessmen to gamblers and outlaws. It was here that Six Shooter Bill crossed paths with the legendary lawman Bat Masterson, who arrested him on August 17th for the crime of horse theft. This arrest marks the beginning of his documented descent into a life of crime.
Dodge City also served as a breeding ground for criminal associations. While incarcerated or shortly after his release, Six Shooter Bill became associated with the infamous "Dodge City Gang." This loose affiliation of gunfighters, thugs, and corrupt officials exerted considerable influence over the town and its surrounding areas. The gang’s ranks included figures like Hyman G. "Hoodoo Brown" Neill, a crooked judge; the enigmatic "Mysterious Dave" Mather; and other notorious characters such as Tom Pickett, John Joshua (J.J.) Webb, and "Dirty Dave" Rudabaugh. These men were known for their involvement in various illegal activities, ranging from petty theft to murder.
In 1879, as the iron horse snaked its way westward, reaching Las Vegas, New Mexico, Six Shooter Bill was among the throng of individuals seeking opportunity, both legitimate and illicit. The arrival of the railroad transformed Las Vegas into a bustling hub, attracting a wave of newcomers, including many who sought to exploit the town’s newfound prosperity.
The "Dodge City Gang," or what remained of it, quickly established itself in Las Vegas, forming a criminal cartel that brazenly defied the law. For the next two years, the gang engaged in a wide range of criminal activities. These included stagecoach and train robberies, large-scale cattle rustling operations, and numerous murders and lynchings. The gang’s influence extended into the corridors of power, with members like "Hoodoo Brown" Neill holding official positions, using their authority to shield their fellow criminals from justice.
However, the citizens of Las Vegas eventually reached their breaking point. By the spring of 1880, they had organized a vigilante group, determined to restore order to their town. On April 8, 1880, a stark warning appeared in the Las Vegas Optic, addressed "To Murderers, Confidence Men, Thieves." The notice declared that the citizens of Las Vegas were "tired of robbery, murder, and other crimes" and were resolved to "put a stop to crime" by any means necessary, even if it meant "forgetting the law." The vigilantes warned all criminals to either leave town or conform to the law, threatening to "HANG by the strong arm of FORCE every violator of the law."
Faced with this ultimatum, Six Shooter Bill, along with several other members of the Dodge City Gang, sought refuge in the burgeoning boomtown of Tombstone, Arizona. Tombstone, fueled by the discovery of silver, was a magnet for fortune seekers, gamblers, and outlaws alike. It was a place where fortunes could be made and lost overnight, and where the line between law and lawlessness was often blurred.
In Tombstone, Six Shooter Bill continued his life of crime, primarily engaging in cattle rustling. He was wounded in a skirmish with ranchers in the San Simon Valley in November 1881, a testament to the dangers inherent in his chosen profession. His criminal activities extended beyond cattle rustling, encompassing small-time thievery and even robbing hoboes on trains. He was also known for his cruel and sadistic behavior, forcing people to "dance" by shooting at their feet, reveling in their fear and pain.
His movements after Tombstone are fragmented and difficult to trace with certainty. He resurfaced in Mimbres, New Mexico, where he reportedly terrorized the town and controlled its illicit activities before returning to Arizona. He was involved in at least one shooting in Benson, Arizona, further solidifying his reputation as a dangerous and violent individual.
From Benson, he moved to San Marcial, New Mexico, only to be driven out of town. This forced him to relocate once again, this time to Laredo, Texas, where he adopted the alias "California Jim." In Laredo, he found employment at a local cafe. However, his violent tendencies soon resurfaced. After an argument with his boss, he resorted to his signature act of cruelty, forcing his boss to "dance" by shooting at his feet. Tragically, the situation escalated when the Chief of Police arrived to investigate the disturbance. In the ensuing confrontation, Six Shooter Bill killed his boss.
Fleeing Laredo, he robbed the station agent at Cactus, Texas, adding another crime to his growing list of offenses. This act of desperation underscored the precariousness of his existence, constantly on the run and resorting to increasingly brazen acts to survive.
Like many outlaws of the Old West, Six Shooter Bill‘s reckless lifestyle eventually caught up with him. In August 1882, he found himself in Cibolo, Texas, where he encountered two cowboys, Wesley de Spain and Charles Smith. The circumstances that led to the ensuing gunfight remain unclear. Perhaps it was a dispute over money, a perceived insult, or simply a clash of personalities fueled by alcohol and the volatile atmosphere of the time.
Whatever the reason, a gunfight erupted between Six Shooter Bill and Wesley de Spain. When the smoke cleared, de Spain was wounded, and Six Shooter Bill had sustained a mortal wound. He succumbed to his injuries early the following day, bringing an end to his short but tumultuous life.
The life of James W. Smith, alias Six Shooter Bill, offers a glimpse into the darker side of the American West. While he may not be as widely known as other figures of the era, his story is a reminder that the West was not simply a land of heroic cowboys and virtuous lawmen. It was also a haven for outlaws, thieves, and murderers, individuals who contributed to the violence and chaos that characterized the frontier. Six Shooter Bill‘s story, pieced together from fragmented records and anecdotal accounts, serves as a cautionary tale of a life consumed by crime and violence, a life that ultimately ended in a hail of gunfire.
