Will “Black Jack” Christian – Leading the High Fives Gang
The annals of the American West are filled with figures both celebrated and notorious, individuals whose lives were etched into the landscape through acts of bravery, lawlessness, and everything in between. Among these figures, Will “Black Jack” Christian stands out as a compelling example of an outlaw who carved a name for himself in the late 19th century. Leading the infamous High Fives Gang, Christian and his cohorts roamed the territories of Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Arizona, leaving a trail of robberies and daring escapes in their wake. This is the story of "Black Jack" Christian, a man whose life was a whirlwind of crime, pursuit, and ultimately, a violent end.
To fully understand the outlaw that "Black Jack" Christian became, it’s essential to delve into his early life and the circumstances that shaped him. Born William Christian, Jr., in Fort Griffin, Texas, in 1871, he was the son of William Christian, Sr., a Kentuckian, and Sallie Christian. His father was an early settler of the area after the Civil War. The family later moved to a homestead in Baylor County, reflecting the westward expansion and the promise of land ownership that drew many to the frontier. Around 1883, the Christians relocated again, this time to the vast expanse of the Texas Panhandle. Following the Oklahoma Land Rush of 1891, the family established a residence in Pottawatomie County, settling along the Little River south of Tecumseh. This constant movement suggests a family seeking opportunity and perhaps also hinting at a restlessness that would later manifest in Will’s outlaw life.
In Oklahoma, the Christian brothers, Will and his older brother Bob, began their descent into a life of crime. They became involved in a gang of small-time thieves and whiskey peddlers, engaging in activities that put them on the wrong side of the law. A pivotal moment occurred on April 27, 1895, when Deputy Sheriff Will Turner attempted to arrest Bob Christian on a warrant for grand larceny. The confrontation took place near Violet Springs, a notorious border town known for its lawlessness. Bob, accompanied by Will, John "Buttermilk" Mackey, and Foster Holbrook, refused to submit to arrest. A shootout ensued, with Bob Christian initially being knocked down by Turner’s shot, thanks to a steel vest. However, the four men returned fire, fatally wounding the deputy. This act of violence marked a significant escalation in the Christian brothers’ criminal careers, setting them on a path of increased notoriety and danger. The pursuit of justice would now be relentless.
Following the death of Deputy Turner, all four men were apprehended and faced trial. Holbrook was acquitted, Mackey received a two-year sentence, and the Christian brothers were both sentenced to ten years in prison. However, their imprisonment proved to be short-lived. While awaiting their appeals in the Oklahoma County jail, Bob and Will managed a daring escape on June 30, 1895. They acquired smuggled pistols, overpowered the jailer, and fled, accompanied by two other inmates. During their escape attempt, they tried to commandeer a wagon. When Oklahoma City Police Chief Milton Jones arrived on the scene, another shootout erupted, resulting in the deaths of Jones and one of the other escapees. This bold escape and the resulting deaths further cemented the Christian brothers’ reputation as dangerous outlaws, escalating the urgency of their capture. The name of "Black Jack" Christian would become more well-known.
With the law on their heels, the Christian brothers fled westward, seeking refuge and opportunity in the territories of New Mexico and Arizona. It was during this period that Will Christian began to truly embrace his outlaw persona. He initially earned the nickname "202" due to his large frame, but he soon became more widely known as "Black Jack" Christian, a moniker attributed to his dark complexion. In these new territories, the brothers expanded their criminal activities, engaging in cattle rustling and robbing banks, trains, and stagecoaches. Their boldness and ruthlessness quickly established them as formidable figures in the Southwestern criminal landscape. "Black Jack" Christian and his brother were making a name for themselves.
The Christian brothers’ most significant achievement, or perhaps their most infamous, was the formation of the High Fives Gang. This gang, named after a popular card game of the time, brought together a collection of notorious outlaws, including Bob Hayes, George West Musgrave, and Code Young. Together, these men formed a formidable force, capable of carrying out daring robberies and evading law enforcement. The High Fives Gang became a symbol of the lawlessness and chaos that characterized parts of the American West during this era.
One of the High Fives Gang’s most audacious, and ultimately unsuccessful, endeavors was the attempted robbery of the International Bank in Nogales, Arizona, on August 6, 1896. The plan called for Bob Christian and Code Young to remain outside with the horses, while Bob Hayes, George Musgrave, and "Black Jack" Christian entered the bank. Inside, Will Christian held the cashier at gunpoint, while Musgrave controlled the bank president. However, the robbery quickly unraveled. The bank president made a break for the door, and in the ensuing confusion, the cashier managed to grab his pistol and shoot Musgrave in the knee. As "Black Jack" Christian attempted to retrieve the money bag, he dropped it while fleeing the bank. Adding to the chaos, a newspaperman named Frank King opened fire on the outlaws, hitting two of their horses as the gang made their escape. This botched robbery demonstrated the risks and uncertainties inherent in the outlaw life, and it intensified the pursuit by law enforcement.
The failed Nogales robbery triggered a relentless pursuit by law enforcement. Deputy Sheriff Bob Leatherwood of Tucson led a posse in pursuit of the High Fives Gang. On August 12, 1896, the posse caught up with some of the gang members near Skeleton Canyon, a location that would become infamous for its association with outlaw activity. A fierce gunfight erupted, resulting in the death of Deputy Frank Robson. The gang managed to escape, crossing the border into Sonora, Mexico, near the San Antonio Pass in the Patagonia Mountains. This escape highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in pursuing outlaws across jurisdictional boundaries and the harsh terrain of the Southwest.
The pursuit of the High Fives Gang continued, with lawmen tracking various gang members in the months that followed. On November 18, 1896, an eight-man posse confronted a group of men at the Diamond A Ranch in the San Simon Valley of southwestern New Mexico. A gun battle ensued, during which Hayes was killed by lawman Fred Higgins, and the horses of Christian and Hayes were killed. "Black Jack" Christian and Musgrave managed to escape, but the pressure on the gang was mounting.
The end for "Black Jack" Christian came on April 28, 1897, near Clifton, Arizona. A five-man posse tracked several fugitives to a gorge and set up an ambush. During the ensuing gunfight, Christian was shot in the side and fell from his horse as the other outlaws fled. Believing the outlaws to be long gone, the lawmen retreated to Clifton. Later that afternoon, a freighter named Bert Farmer discovered a dying man. It was "Black Jack" Christian, still conscious but fading rapidly. He reportedly uttered the words, "Some fellows shot me this morning," before succumbing to his wounds. Farmer transported his body back to town, where it was placed on display. The canyon where the ambush took place is now known locally as Black Jack Canyon, a lasting reminder of the outlaw’s demise.
The life of Will “Black Jack” Christian was a testament to the turbulent times of the American West. From his humble beginnings in Texas to his violent end in Arizona, he embodied the spirit of lawlessness and rebellion that defined a certain segment of the population during that era. His leadership of the High Fives Gang and his daring escapes from the law made him a figure of notoriety and fear. While his actions cannot be condoned, his story provides a fascinating glimpse into the complexities and contradictions of the Old West. "Black Jack" Christian, though a criminal, remains a figure of historical intrigue, forever linked to the legends of the American frontier.