Outlaws in the West

Most people believe that that back in the day the outlaws in the west lived life of a rich man, their wrong. Outlaws in the west spent a lot of time in hiding or running from the law. Outlaws in the west were actually more of a bust than a boom. Rarely an outlaw would live to die of natural causes, most were hung, shot, or some how killed by law or vigilantes wanting a reward or just revenge.

Many outlaws in the west belonged to gangs. One of these gangs, which are a well-known gang, is the Younger gang, which consisted of Jesse James, Frank James, Jim Younger, Bob Younger, Cole Younger and William C. Quantrille. On October 5^th 1882 after Frank James retired he said, "I was tired of an outlaws life. I have been hunted for twenty-one years. I have literally lived in the saddle". Many outlaws spent a lot if not all of there time in hiding or on their horse. The famous Jesse James was killed by Bob Ford for a 10,000 dollar reward and he him self was killed not long after. He was often called a dirty coward.

Another gang, which is possibly the most famous, is the James gang led by Frank and Jesse James. It consisted of about 12 men and they all contributed to at least 10 bank robberies, 7 train robberies and 4 stagecoach robberies. The James gang mostly robbed with Quantrills Guerillas. Their last know robbery was around September 1881; Jesse was killed not even a year after on April 3^rd 1882. Jesse James is no doubt the most know outlaw in the west.

Another very well known gang is the Wild Bunch lead by Harry Longbaugh, and Robert Leroy Parker better known as the "Sundance Kid" and "Butch Cassidy". The "Sundance Kid" (Harry Longbaugh) was born in 1866 in Plainfield NJ and was known to have the fastest draw in the west. Butch Cassidy's sister claimed that he ("Sundance Kid") lived under an alias and died in Casper, Wyoming in 1957. "Butch Cassidy" (Robert Leroy Parker) was born in 1866 in Beaver, Utah. His death is unknown and many people believe that he died in a gun battle with Bolivian troops and others believe he died in Spokane, Washington in 1937. The Wild Bunch would rob the Union Pacific Railroad and stole upwards of 40,000 dollars.

William H Bonney who was also known as "Billy the kid" was just a kid. He was born in New York City, on September 17^th 1859. Billy was also known as Patrick Henry McCarty but was best known was "Billy the kid". Billy was killed when he was about 21 years old. Pat Garret who befriended him killed Billy. Billy and Garret were good friends, when garret was elected sheriff his purpose was to find and kill "Billy The kid". Garret later killed Billy at Maxwell's Ranch on July 13, 1881.

Although many westerners became outlaws it was mostly a bust. Many of these outlaws and more died before seeing the age of 30. Many like Billy the kid, and Jesse James were befriended. Others were caught and hung or killed by firing squad. Being an outlaw in the west was no doubt a bust, because you risked your and others lives every day.