William “Tulsa Jack” Blake – Riding With the Doolin Gang – Legends of America
In the annals of the Wild West, where legends were forged in the crucible of lawlessness and survival, the name William "Tulsa Jack" Blake echoes with a blend of notoriety and intrigue. As a member of the infamous Doolin Gang, also known as the Oklahombres, Tulsa Jack carved his path through the untamed landscapes of Oklahoma, leaving behind a trail of daring exploits and deadly encounters.
Early Life and Drifting West
Born around 1859, William Blake’s early life remains shrouded in mystery. While his parents, Samuel Lee and Mary Etta Elkins Blake, were known to reside in Missouri, the exact location of William’s birth remains unknown. Like many young men of his time, Blake sought his fortune in the burgeoning cattle industry. In the early 1880s, he worked as a cowboy in Kansas, honing his skills in horsemanship and marksmanship. However, the allure of adventure and the promise of quick riches soon drew him south into the untamed territories of Oklahoma.
Joining the Doolin Gang
By the late 1892, Blake had found his calling among a band of outlaws led by the charismatic Bill Doolin. Known as the Doolin Gang or the Oklahombres, this group of desperados wreaked havoc throughout Oklahoma, engaging in train robberies, bank heists, and gunfights with law enforcement. Tulsa Jack quickly proved his worth as a valuable member of the gang, demonstrating his courage, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to their cause.
The Ingalls Gunfight
In September 1893, Tulsa Jack played a pivotal role in the infamous Ingalls Gunfight, a bloody confrontation between the Doolin Gang and a posse of U.S. Marshals. The gunfight erupted in the small town of Ingalls, Oklahoma, when the marshals attempted to apprehend the outlaws. In the ensuing chaos, bullets flew, and lives were lost. Three lawmen paid the ultimate price, while several gang members sustained injuries. The Ingalls Gunfight became a symbol of the escalating conflict between law and lawlessness in the Wild West, further cementing the Doolin Gang’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with.
The Rock Island Train Robbery
On the night of April 3, 1895, Tulsa Jack and his fellow gang members orchestrated a daring robbery of a Rock Island train. As the train hurtled through the darkness, the outlaws stormed aboard, brandishing their weapons and demanding access to the train’s safe. When messenger J.W. Jones refused to cooperate, the outlaws unleashed a barrage of gunfire, peppering the car with bullets. Despite being wounded in the wrist and leg, Jones remained defiant, refusing to relinquish his post.
Worried that the outlaws would harm the passengers, Jones finally relented and allowed them to board the train. With guns drawn, Tulsa Jack and George "Red Buck" Weightman patrolled the passenger cars, ensuring that no one interfered with their operation. Meanwhile, the other gang members focused on cracking open the safe, determined to seize its valuable contents.
After securing $400 in cash and other valuables, the outlaws made their escape, disappearing into the night on horseback. The Rock Island train robbery became another chapter in the Doolin Gang’s legacy of daring exploits, further solidifying their image as audacious and fearless criminals.
The Final Showdown
The Doolin Gang’s reign of terror was not destined to last forever. On the afternoon following the Rock Island train robbery, Tulsa Jack and his fellow outlaws were spotted by U.S. Deputy Marshal William Banks and his posse. The outlaws had taken a break in a sand basin along the Cimarron River in Major County, Oklahoma, unaware that their pursuers were closing in.
As the marshals approached, they called out to the outlaws, demanding their surrender. Tulsa Jack responded with a hail of gunfire, igniting a fierce gun battle that raged for nearly 45 minutes. Bullets whizzed through the air as the outlaws fought valiantly to defend themselves. However, when Tulsa Jack broke cover to flee, he was struck by a fatal bullet, ending his life of crime and adventure.
The gunfight continued, resulting in injuries to two more gang members before the remaining outlaws managed to escape. Deputy William Banks later estimated that more than 200 shots were exchanged during the confrontation, highlighting the intensity and ferocity of the battle.
The End of an Era
The death of Tulsa Jack marked the beginning of the end for the Doolin Gang. One by one, the remaining members of the gang were either killed or captured, bringing an end to their reign of terror. Bill Doolin himself was eventually shot and killed by a U.S. Marshal in 1896, effectively dismantling the gang and bringing closure to their chapter in the history of the Wild West.
Legacy
William "Tulsa Jack" Blake’s life as an outlaw was short-lived but filled with adventure, danger, and notoriety. As a member of the Doolin Gang, he participated in daring robberies, engaged in deadly gunfights, and left an indelible mark on the history of the Wild West. While his actions were undoubtedly criminal, Tulsa Jack’s story serves as a reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of the American frontier, where legends were forged in the fires of lawlessness and survival.