He in turn killed 4 of them and wounded 8. Even other gunslingers were likely to avoid any unnecessary confrontation. Some gunslingers, such as Bat Masterson, actively engaged in self-promotion. Definitely agree that Hardin is the deadliest, almost all were head on gun fights with armed gun fighters and law men, and well documented. At 15, he gunned down an ex-slave, and then proceeded to kill three Union soldiers before going on the run. An example of this is "Han shot first", in which Han Solo, a gunfighter-like protagonist in Star Wars, kills his opponent with a subtle, under-the-table draw. James Brown Miller was born October 25, 1861, in Van Buren, Arkansas, to Jacob and Cynthia Basham Miller, but he was raised in Texas. No kidding John Wesley Hardin made 40 or more counts, although, some of it is just hearsay. [20], Gunfighters King Fisher, John Wesley Hardin, Ben Thompson, Billy the Kid, Wild Bill Hickok, and Pat Garrett all died as a result of ambushes, killed by men who feared them because of their reputation. As time went on single-shot, muzzle-loading weapons were replaced by repeating guns like the revolver, shotgun and breech-loading rifles such as the 1873 Wild Bill Hickok should be straight to # 01. One of those killed was an innocent Mexican bystander. The group was eventually broken up by law enforcement, but the Kid managed to elude capture. I guess that a good-olde Hispanic gunfighter cannot make this list. sweet number onemy dad gave me the middle name of Wesley because of John Wesley Hardin. In the end the fight lasted only 30 seconds or so, with at least 20 shots being fired Billy Clanton and both McLaury brothers died. John King Fisher was born in 1853 in Texas, to Jobe and Lucinda Warren Fisher. I watched Unforgiven tonite for the 15th time (give or take) and you may cringe but when Clint rides past Ned on the porch it is just surreal to me. Swarthout seems to have been correct about "gunslinger", but the term "gunfighter" existed in several newspapers in the 1870s, and as such the term existed in the 19th century. One account says that after the party recognized Cruz, they chased him down and a gunfight ensued. [13] Ed McGivern dispelled the myth of the inaccuracy of pistol fanning by shooting tight groups while fanning the revolver. Wyatt Earp should be #03, actually, hes had a rough life as a teamster against raiding parties, comancheros, and outlaws as a teamster, saloon, of course, Marshal. He was asked why he was having dinner with a man who wanted to kill him and Allison replied, I wouldnt want to send a man to hell on an empty stomach.. After all most of these guys lived over a century ago. An estimate of 20,000 men in the American West were killed by gunshot between 1866 and 1900,[21] and over 21,586 total casualties during the American Indian Wars from 1850 to 1890. In April of 1895, John Selman, Sr. shot Hardin in the back of the head, killing him, after an altercation with Selman Jr. Hardin is buried in El Paso. Corral (though it wasn't really in a corral at all), cemented Earp's reputation as a quick and deadly draw. The shootout took less than one minute and made Owens a legend. Curry was known to be faster. A town with a substantial violent crime rate would often turn to a known gunman as their town marshal, chief, or sheriff, in the hopes that the gunman could stem the violence and bring order. Over the next several years, Allison was reported to have killed several men over disagreements, and in one case he decapitated a man and brought the severed head into a saloon. Wyatt Earp has no business on this list whatsoever. After a longstanding feud with Pecos Sheriff George A. Frazer, Miller shot Frazer in a Toyah, Texas, saloon. In fact, the faster draw generally misses, and therefore gets killed.". After being wounded several times while fighting in the Civil War, Stoudenmire moved to the lawless city of El Paso, Texas to serve as sheriff. He wasnt an 1800s era guy, so he cant be used here, however, I think his unquestioned expertise on In Hickoks hand when he was killed were aces and eights, later known as the Dead Mans Hand.. Theres a big difference between a gunfighter and a killer, most of those guys were killers. Twirling pistols, lightning draws, and trick shots are standard fare for the gunmen of the big screen. John was known for carrying two pistols in holsters strapped to his chest, which enabled him to be one of the fastest guns in history. It's Hollywood. Hickok was supposedly holding a pair of Aces and Eights at the time, a combination now known as the Dead Mans Hand., Known for his mercurial personality and violent temper, Clay Allison was a gunfighter who is remembered as one of the most notorious and downright deranged outlaws of the Old West. They had ordered the Cowboys to give up their guns earlier in the day, warning them with a pistol-whipping at the hands of Wyatt. [24], The Gunfight at the OK Corral is a famous example of a real-life western shootout, between the Earp Brothers together with Doc Holliday, and the Clanton-McLaury gang. One journalist reckoned that if Munden had At the same time, Luke Short, a former friend of Courtright's, was running the White Elephant Saloon and Jim was trying to get Short to utilize his services. [59] A good example was the 1882 decision by the El Paso, Texas, town council to dismiss Town Marshal Dallas Stoudenmire. [40] They met in an alley following an argument about a card game. Haha. The following are ten of the most famousand downright deadlyof these Old West gunslingers. Less than a year after these incidents, he would kill as many as six more men in gunfights while in the line of duty, eventually gaining a reputation as one of the most feared lawmen in Texas. [83], Former professional American football quarterback Brett Favre was nicknamed "The Gunslinger" due to his rural, Southern upbringing and his wild, risky, quick-throwing play style that led him to great success in the National Football League.[84][85]. Earp was on the police force of Wichita until he was released over a dispute . The battle started when Baca arrested a cowboy who had shot him. Dr. Bolivar managed to get his six-shooter out and fire twice at the highwaymen before he dropped, badly wounded. [1] The Winchester rifle was also a popular weapon among gunfighters. [70], Jonah Hex, from DC Comics, is a ruthless bounty hunter bound by a personal code of honor to protect and avenge the innocent. In 1899 the Earps went to Alaska during the Gold Rush and again opened a successful saloon. "Having said that, there was this sense of a reputation of dangerous men with a gun. In his introduction to The Shootist (1976), author Glendon Swarthout says "gunslinger" and "gunfighter" are modern terms, and the more authentic terms for the period would have been "gunman", "pistoleer", "shootist", or "bad man" (sometimes written as "badman"). Still, there is no denying that he was responsible for a great many other killings. Most of these 10 ranks are already scrambled, by someones bot suggestions. obviously the worst shot in the west very few(If any ) fatalities. Real gunslingers did not shoot to disarm or to impress, but to kill. The U.S. Calvary hired him as a scout and interpreter during the Apache Wars. After that, he was just a gambler and knockabout. Both men were still standing, although Richardson had fired five shots from his gun and Loving's Remington No. The body count of 44 for John Wesley Hardin was all from the recorded names of lawmen and two individuals he was actually convicted of killing not the uinknown total of others who stood in his way. The shooting started when Billy Clanton and Frank McLaury cocked their pistols. [citation needed], There are no records to support the reputation that Johnny Ringo developed. He's a dead man walking. A gunfighter, gambler, showman, and peace officer, Hickok may have killed more than 100 He was born in Arkansas territory but also lived in Lamar and Grayson counties Texas. Sheriff Owens had inherited a warrant for Andy Blevins' (Cooper) arrest for horse theft so he rode to Holbook on September 2, 1887. He married Urilla Sutherland, but she and their unborn child died of typhoid fever about a year later. The James boys ran for there lives when a bunch of townspeople started shooting, and the Youngers did fight back but were shot to pieces. He was in trouble from the age of16 for stealing horses and was in and out of prison. Miller pulled his gun on Frazer, who proceeded to shoot him six times. Buckshot Roberts Last Stand. [citation needed], On March 9, 1877, gamblers Jim Levy and Charlie Harrison argued over a game of cards in a saloon in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The gunfight caused a huge scandal, and friends of the cowboys soon retaliated, wounding Wyatts brother Virgil and killing Morgan. ), Billy the Kid only killed like four people, Some say 4, Some say 9, and some say 20+ (21 or 22 ish). He would get drunk and shoot unarmed men in bars, but outside of that his reputation is almost entirely myth. That means he's better than Wild Bill, Wyatt Earp, John Wesley Harden (about whom his contemporaries said he "could get out a six-shooter and use it quicker than a The gunfighter could be a lawman, outlaw, cowboy, or shooting exhibitionist, but was more commonly a hired gun who made a living with his weapons in the Old West. A little closer look, though, reveals that Earp who never was wounded in a gunfight and died at age 80 of natural causes maybe wasn't that fast. Hickock was an expert shooter at a young age and built up a good reputation in his hometown. He started out by getting caught stealing food, clothing, and guns in 1875, but he escaped his captors and made his way to Arizona. Blevins refused and tried to close the door. Sheriff Owens shot him through his back and chest, killing him. THIS DAY IN HISTORY July 14 1882 July 14 Gunfighter John Ringo found dead John Ringo, the famous gun-fighting gentleman, is found dead in Turkey Creek Canyon, Arizona. WebVery large text size Bob Munden was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as The Fastest Man with a Gun Who Ever Lived. [67][68], Gunfighters have been featured in media even outside the Western genre, often combined with other elements and genres, mainly science-fiction space Westerns, steampunk, and the contemporary setting. The two last attackers were the men who had been wounded in a previous bandit raid. Breaking into the jail, an angry mob took Miller and two other prisoners to the gallows, where they were hanged. "Gunslinger" redirects here. [10] Earp expressed his dismay about the controversy that followed him his entire life. His sarcasm revealed a dangerous man whose violence was controlled and focused through the barrel of a gun. [citation needed], On April 14, 1881, lawman Dallas Stoudenmire participated in a gunfight in El Paso, Texas which many dubbed the Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight, in which he killed three of the four fatalities with his twin .44 caliber Colt revolvers. [citation needed], Known gunmen/lawmen were generally effective, and in time the violence would subside, usually, after the gunman/lawman had been involved in several shooting incidents, eventually leading to a substantial and well-earned fear that kept everyone in line. Stoudenmire had a reputation for being tough and short-tempered when he was drinking. He was at the time the most fearless man I ever saw, and Satan and all his imps could not scare Wyatt Earp," Richard Codgell, a Wichita clerk, wrote in his memoirs, as detailed in Hornung's book. In 1871, Hardin was arrested for the murder of Texas marshal Laban John Hoffman, but he escaped after killing another police officer, Jim Smalley. WebQuick-draw world champion Nicole "Fastdraw" Franks rates 11 gunslinging scenes from movies and TV shows for realism. Often, a gunfight was spur-of-the-moment, with one drawing his pistol, and the other reacting. [22] The most notable and well-known took place in the states/territories of Arizona, New Mexico, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. WebJames Miller Hired Killer of the Old West. Much of the time, it would be difficult to tell who had "won" the gunfight for several minutes, as the black powder smoke from the pistols cleared the air. Gordon died the next day and Holliday fled. Hickok was born on May 27, 1837, to William Alonzo and Polly Butler Hickok in Illinois. Obviously the most well-known Old West figure in history, Bill the Kids life has Doc Holliday has also been credited with wounding and shooting a pistol out of saloon owner Milt Joyce's hand when he tried to brandish it at Holliday. Two-Gun Kid is another comic book gunfighter from Marvel Comics. While in the South Pass of the Dragoon Mountains, Earp's posse found one of the outlaw cowboys named "Indian Charlie" Cruz. King Fisher had great success as a county sheriff in Texas. [3] Others, like Billy the Kid, were notorious bandits, and still others were lawmen like Pat Garrett and Wyatt Earp. Although sanctioned by law enforcement officials, the gunmen were not always actually deputized. Wild Bill's armed presence caused the crowd to immediately scatter to the safety of nearby buildings, leaving Tutt alone in the northwestern corner of the square. He was both more or less friendly and viciously, lethal if tempted. Stoudenmire got involved in a feud with members of the Manning family, which ended when he and three of the Manning brothers got into a gunfight. He escaped and killed the men guarding him. He famously gunned down three members of his own gang when a dispute arose of money, and then killed seven Mexican pistoleros shortly after that. Thompson was himself killed in 1884, along with gunfighter King Fisher, when friends of Harris ambushed the two and gunned them down while they were watching a performance at an opera house. Biographics History, One Life at a Time. He never killed a man that did not need killing.. And it really didn't matter. [4] Clay Allison (18411887), a notorious New Mexico and Texas gunman and cattleman, originated the term "shootist". They appear on a mission named "Gunfighters", and the player will act as Captain Brad "Hawk" Hawkins from 1st Aviation Regiment. He died the next day. Well, Little Bill never met Bob Munden, the man who the Guinness Book of World Records calls the "Fastest Man with a Gun Who Ever Lived." If you look very closely at the photo on the right side of the crowd, behind the fence you will see the comedy team Laurel and Hardy who were waiting on a train. Wes Hardin was no doubt a killer, but he probably didn't kill 44 men. Most of these historical figures were not known to be capable of trick shooting, nor did they necessarily have a reputation for precision sharpshooting. Davis whipped out his Bowie knife and quickly warded off the thrusts from the two of the bandits. Ferd Patterson Living and Dying by the Gun. The Long Branch Saloon was then filled with smoke. Straight out of For A Few Dollars More ha! [25][38] Timothy Isaiah "Longhair Jim" Courtright was running the T.I.C. He was pursued by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency and the Texas Rangers. The two were then heard speaking in low voices. Famed lawman Wyatt Earp is perhaps the most storied figure of the Old West, but he was also an accomplished gunslinger who was greatly feared by the bandits of the time. Marshal Virgil Earp had considerably more experience with weapons and combat as a Union soldier in the Civil War, and in law enforcement as a sheriff, constable, and marshal. Doc Holiday better fits that epithet, Wyatt Earp was NOT a "gunslinger". He was buried on his ranch, and later his remains were moved to Pioneer Cemetery in Uvalde, Texas. After his brother Morgan was killed in retaliation, Wyatt embarked on a mission to kill everyone associated with Morgans death. After one of the gang turned informant, Bass and his men were ambushed by Texas Ranger Sergeant Richard Ware and Ranger George Herold in Round Rock, Texas, where the gang attempted to rob the Williamson County Bank. His gravestone is said to read: Clay Allison. Shotguns were also a popular weapon for "express messengers" and guards, especially those on stagecoaches and trains who were in charge of overseeing and guarding a valuable private shipment. John was shot in the back of A gunfighter was someone who was good with a gun and willing to use this skill in a dispute, not exactly the best shot in the world like a sniper, but just someone willing to standup and fight a foe. what about Ned Kelly After three months on the run, he was killed when Sheriff Pat Garrett and two deputies shot him to death in 1881. The Blevins sons searched for their father and in August Hamp Blevins and another were killed by the Tewksbury side. Thompson was shot in the head and died instantly. Haha! Most of those guys back then were trying to make a name for themselves in lawless lands drunk on wisky. Yes, by all means King Fisher , definitely top ten, from his statements and other witnesses, an argument between Fisher and four Mexican vaqueros erupted. [9] Gunfights could be won by simple distraction or pistols could be emptied as gunmen fought from behind cover without injury. Ive enjoyed the info and discussion. 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