5 of the Biggest Outlaws in the Wild West

The Wild West was called "wild" for a reason; it was the land where anything could happen at any given moment, where the law was opposed by those who chose to defy it and do their own brand of vigilante justice. Among the dusty trails and smell of gunpowder, something about the era resonates among audiences to this day. Perhaps it is the rawness in those tales that makes us appreciate them. 

With this blog, we will be looking at the real-life villains, the outlaws of the Wild West that wreaked havoc in the region. 

Here are 5 of the greatest outlaws in the Wild Wild West.

Jesse James (1847-1882) The Robin Hood of the Outlaws

Jesse James is also known as the notorious "Missouri Outlaw." He became renowned for his heists robbing banks and trains in the post-Civil War era. His criminal activities were ruthless; in contrast, he was well-reputed for his folk-hero status. Why? For Jesse particularly targeted the corrupt. However, his reputation couldn't save him, as he was shot in the back by his own gang members.

Billy the Kid (1859-1881): The Young Gun

Don't be put off by the name; this man and his antics were anything but childish. Born Henry McCarty, the gunslinger quickly became a living, breathing image of the Wild Wild West. He was known for his quick draw shootouts and contributions to the infamous Lincoln County War. Billy's short and overall intense story quickly came to a stop when Sheriff Pat Garrett killed him, cementing his place in the grand Western lore.

Butch Cassidy (1866-1908) and the Sundance Kid (1867-1908): Partners in Crime

Here is a dynamic duo that ravaged the Wild West with their stunts. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, together, became the most notorious dynamic duo in the outlaw world. It was a deadly combination; the charm of Butch Cassidy paired with the sharpshooting skills of the Sundance Kid made them a force to be reckoned with. 

Wyatt Earp (1848-1929): The Frontier Lawman

Now, here is a name that is subject to great controversy. Wyatt isn't necessarily an outlaw. However, his antics made him a tremendously controversial figure in the Wild West. He was a gambler, a lawman, and a saloon owner. His participation in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral made him a legend in the overall Frontier spectrum. His methods and morals were celebrated by some and gravely criticized by others. But you can't have a list of the five greatest outlaws in the Wild West and not mention Wyatt Earp.

Doc Holliday (1851-1887): The Gambler with a Deadly Hand

Fun fact: the "Doc" in his name isn't just a quirky title. Holliday was a dentist turned gambler and then gunslinger. He was a central figure contributing to the lawlessness in the Wild West. Doc was also friends with Wyatt Earp and a participant in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. He lived a life as an outlaw until he succumbed to his illness in a Colorado sanatorium.

Outlaws were controversial figures; some looked up to them, and others wished they were given a taste of their own medicine. In the case of Wichita, in Jedediah Ravine's Western book, Wichita U.S. Marshall, he has a firm opinion on outlaws. With his home wrecked and dreams shattered, the Marshall follows the trail of outlaws with a thirst for vengeance. 

Will he successfully dismantle the wrongdoers? Only one way to find out.

Wichita U.S. Marshall is now available on Amazon.