When the group was broken up by law-enforcement officers, the Kid escaped and shot a gambler in a New Mexico saloon. Described as being cold to the core, Miller famously declared that he would kill anyone for money, and is rumored to have gunned down everyone from political figures to famed sheriff Pat Garrett. The same could be said for Holliday. how about Jesse James? Skilled with revolvers, he has aided many superheroes in future timelines, most notably She-Hulk. back shootin murders who were to scared to face there target definitely shouldnt make any list except for top ten p#$$?$ my opinion sure someone can argue my point but challenge u drop a hammer with lead flying at you and be steady and unflinching enough to fire one round and groundcheck your opponent thats where you weed out people willing to survive and (sorry for the expression pun or whatever) cowboy up and the people who ether get run over or who shoot you in your sleep unarmed or in the back, Ridiculous not to have Jesse James in the top 3 or 4. Gavrilo Princip: the Teenager who Started WWI, Oda Nobunaga The Great Unifier of Japan. In January of 1874, Allison and fellow outlaw Chunk Colbert enjoyed a race on their horses and afterward went to dinner at the Clifton House in Colfax County. [15] Fast-draw artists can be distinguished from other movie cowboys because their guns will often be tied to their thigh. Billy The Kid. Stoudenmire had a reputation for being tough and short-tempered when he was drinking. The I agree with Mander. Doc instantly killed Tom with blasts from his shotgun. 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. 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. He's a dead man walking. He's older, and he's probably not going to rush his shot,'" Trimble says. So whats the title of the book and when was it published (and by whom)? After failing to succeed in business, he joined a group of outlaws and began robbing stagecoaches. ", "The Truth About Gunfights in the Old West", "Did Western gunfighters really face off one-on-one? Theres more to his biography than meets the iris. They moved to Idaho, opened a saloon, and mined for gold. Miller spent time as a town marshal in Pecos and married Sallie Clements in 1891. Of his long life he was a policeman a total of about 35 months. [10] Earp expressed his dismay about the controversy that followed him his entire life. He was both more or less friendly and viciously, lethal if tempted. The group was unfazed by their new classification as bandits, and proceeded to go on a killing spree, gunning down three people in the course of just three days, including a sheriff and his deputy. But he killed all the way from back east to the west coast. Read Chip Carlsons book, Blood on the Moon, for the facts of Horns life. But when his gun bumped the table as he drew, Allison reacted by shooting Colbert in the head. Wyatt Earp has no business on this list whatsoever. They were often labeled as such due to one particular instance, which developed from rumors about them having been involved in many more events than they actually were. He's rumored to have been in a lot of gunfights, but outside of the OK Corral there's only a few that are actually confirmed by historians. In 1901, Horn got involved in a feud between the Miller and Nickell families in Iron Mountain, Wyoming. He met an unimpressive death when he fell from his wagon and broke his neck in 1887. [59] At times they were hired by cattlemen or other prominent figures to serve as henchmen or enforcers during cattle wars. The group called themselves the Regulators, but soon it gained its own reputation for violence, and its members were branded as outlaws. After more killings over the next three years, Hardin was captured by the Texas Rangers and sentenced to25 years at Texas State Prison in Huntsville. He was buried in Pecos Cemetery; his body was later moved to the courtyard next to the Orient Hotel Museum. [16] Revolvers were a popular weapon to gunfighters who were horsemen, cowboys, and lawmen because of their concealability and effectiveness on horseback. A gunfighter would use tie-downs to keep his pistol from catching on the holster while drawing. Bass himself was shot, but he escaped and was found lying in a field west of Round Rock. [9][15] Shooting a pistol with one hand is normally associated with gunslingers,[18] and is also a standard for them of the era to carry two guns and fire ambidextrously. Owens' two deputies killed Ike Clanton; Phin Clanton was arrested; three other gang members were killed; and the Clanton gang was done. Ben Thompson was a gambler, gunfighter, and sometimes lawman who rubbed shoulders with some of the most famous figures of the Old West. [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. Get Jesse on this list! In a relatively short life, famed outlaw and gunslinger John Wesley Hardin established himself as easily the most bloodthirsty figure of the Old West, and is credited with the deaths of no less than 42 people. Cradling his Winchester rifle in his arm, Sheriff Owens knocked on the Blevins' door. Most of the time, gunfighters would just hide their pistols in their pockets and waistbands. Bob Munden, the worlds fastest gunslinger, was one of those special few. [21][25] Wild Bill Hickok and Davis Tutt quarreled over cards and decided to have a gunfight. In 1895, he was killed after being shot in the back by a lawman in El Paso, Texas. He was never really considered 'deadly'. A+. I think Docs reputation was well justified. He killed a black child for swimming in the wrong swimming hole. This was rarely the case. Still, theres no denying that among the bandits and lawmen of the day there were a number of larger-than-life gunfighters whose exploits helped pave a bloody path for the characters that would later populate Western movies and dime novels. A few days after the fight, friends of the men Stoudenmire had shot hired the town drunk to assassinate him. Corral, which occurred in 1881 when Earp, his brothers Morgan and Virgil, and friend Doc Holliday confronted a group of cowboys who had recently been arrested for robbing a stagecoach. [40] They met in an alley following an argument about a card game. In fact, the faster draw generally misses, and therefore gets killed.". The O.K. [2] The word was soon adopted by other Western writers, such as Zane Grey, and became common usage. Orrin Porter Rockwell killed more people than any of these guys, he is not as well known because of being in the far west. Three of the cowboys were killed in the fight, and everyone except Wyatt was wounded. Earp's fellow lawman and general Old West badass Bat Masterson once said that speed in a gunfight is probably the least important factor in winning. Most of these historical figures were not known to be capable of trick shooting, nor did they necessarily have a reputation for precision sharpshooting. Hardin drifted around, leaving a trail of bodies behind him. Following his resignation, he developed a reputation as a killer for hire, and is said to have been responsible for the deaths of some 20 cattle rustlers over the course of several years. Thomas Horn, Jr. was born in Missouri on November 21, 1860 to Thomas S. Horn, Sr. and Mary Ann Maricha Miller Horn. In the saloon, Frank sat down at a long table, Richardson turned around and took a seat at the same table. Press Esc to cancel. He shot a man in the eye in Pisgah on a bet and killed a black man in Leon County, Texas. "Having said that, there was this sense of a reputation of dangerous men with a gun. In many cases, the term gunfighter was applied to constables. No Orrin Porter Rockwell on a top ten list of gun fighters? John Wesley Hardin was born in 1853, in Texas, to James Gibson Gip Hardin and Mary Elizabeth Dixson. The group was eventually broken up by law enforcement, but the Kid managed to elude capture. I have often remarked, and I am not alone in my conclusions, that what goes for courage in a man is generally fear of what others will think of him in other words, personal bravery is largely made up of self-respect, egotism, and apprehension of the opinions of others. One of those pictured is famed black cowboy Jesse Stahl, whose rodeo riding skills were unparalleled in the 1800s. The U.S. Calvary hired him as a scout and interpreter during the Apache Wars. Earp, as historians long have recognized, possessed an almost preternatural coolness under fire. One of the most legendary figures of the Old West, Wild Bill Hickok was an actor, gambler, lawman, and gunfighter who was regarded as one of the most skilled gunslingers of his day. The method actors portrayal of Holliday put the legendary gunslinger in the same league as the dark, brooding, and violent post-modern heroes of today. In 1869, Hickok was elected sheriff of Ellis County Kansas, and is said to have killed two men in his first month on the job. Hardin Senior was a Methodist minister who settled his family in Trinity County, Texas, in 1859. Theres no question about him being in gunfights and being fast. [71] Throughout the DC Universe, Hex has been, on many occasions, transported from the Old West to the contemporary setting and beyond. It lasted only 30 seconds, contrary to many movie adaptations. Earp, as any Wild West buff knows, was in the center of the most famous street fight in American history. What other gunslingers did we not mention? I like the psychoanalytical approach which takes intellect clearly Garrett was smart if indeed he wrote this book (or even had it ghosted). [citation needed], There are no records to support the reputation that Johnny Ringo developed. King Fisher. The Earps weren't really expecting a gunfight. That 30-second throwdown, which came to be known as the Gunfight at the O.K. Today, the term "gunslinger" is more or less used to denote someone who is quick on the draw with a pistol, but can also refer to riflemen and shotgun messengers. He was pursued by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency and the Texas Rangers. Curry was known to be faster. This respect for one another is why most famous gunfights were rarely two or more well-known gunmen matched up against one another, but rather one notable gunman against a lesser-known opponent or opponents. The outlaws' bullets tore at Davis's clothing but caused only two slight flesh wounds. But the absolute, without-a-doubt, hands-down, fastest gun in the West? Stoudenmires luck would not last forever, though, and in 1882 he was killed when a discussion between he and a group of his enemies escalated into a gunfight in which he was shot three times. Allison fought in the Civil War, but was discharged after a blow to the head started causing erratic behavior in him. Come on!! In 1899 the Earps went to Alaska during the Gold Rush and again opened a successful saloon. Some historians have since stated that it is possible that over time he was confused with another Wild Bunch member, Kid Curry, who was without a doubt the most dangerous member of the gang, having killed many lawmen and civilians during his lifetime before being killed himself. Captain Davis later described himself as being "in a fever of excitement at the time." As to Clay Allison, Earp had aleged that he had confronted Allison in Dodge and that Allison had backed down. And Wyatt Earp, though he wasn't the fastest gun in the fight, came out without a scratch. Owens shot through the wall, striking Andy in the right hip he died that night. Might as well replace Ringo with Holliday. [5], Often, the term has been applied to men who would hire out for contract killings or at a ranch embroiled in a range war where they would earn "fighting wages". Corral made legends of Wyatt Earp and the Cochise County Cowboys, but they were relatively minor figures before that conflict. "He called it deliberation," says Dunham, who also serves as president of the Wild West History Association. My grand father was one of the mob who drug Miller out of the and hung him. Gunfights happened, for sure. Later in the same month, he killed a man in an argument in Limestone County, and two weeks later shot a man who attempted to rob him. I would outdraw him everytime and take much pride in myself. Wyatt Earps daring and apparent recklessness in time of danger is wholly characteristic; personal fear doesnt enter into the equation, and when everything is said and done, I believe he values his own opinion of himself more than that of others, and it is his own good report he seeks to preserve He never at any time in his career resorted to the pistol excepting cases where such a course was absolutely necessary. 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. After all most of these guys lived over a century ago. Definitely agree that Hardin is the deadliest, almost all were head on gun fights with armed gun fighters and law men, and well documented. The Long Branch Saloon was then filled with smoke. Unlike contemporary peace officers, these lawmen generally pursued other occupations, often earning money as gamblers, business owners, or outlawsas was the case with "Curly" Bill Brocius, who, while always referred to as an outlaw, served as a deputy sheriff under sheriff Johnny Behan. Alll this info is interesting. [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. The James Younger gang was just a gang of cowards, not "revolver fighters". [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]. As bullets went through the saloon, Doc unflinching, holstered his Colt Peacemaker revolver and walked outside. [citation needed], Most gunfights are portrayed in films or books as having two men square off, waiting for one to make the first move. They returned to California around 1911 and settled in Los Angeles, where they became a popular fixture in Hollywood as Earpserved asa technical adviser for Old West films. Earp had a varied career that saw him travel to boomtowns like Wichita, Dodge City and the lawless town of Tombstone to serve as sheriff, and he participated in some of the most legendary gunfights of the 1800s. But Billy rushes his shot and misses.". In the book, Garret claimed that Doc was a hard man with no moral compass (made him sound like a psychopath) and didnt understand how Wyatt was his friend. Privacy Policy | TopTenz T-Shirts | Sponsors. It's Hollywood. Movies and books glorify gun battles, trust me there is no glory in killing someone. [82] Gunfighter is also a callsign for a group of two Apache Helicopters in the video game Medal of Honor. he should be number 1 or 2, The James younger gang were a band of men who fought ANd killed over A Hundred men in northfield they were attacked by an entire town of people armed with Various small arms, many of the townsmen were ex union soldiers, , the youngerS were shot during the raid n then again on the chase, , Cole was shot 12 times, shoot Any man on the abovE list 12 tImes n see who surrenders. After moving to El Paso, Texas, to serve as sheriff, he killed three men before the end of his third day in the Four Dead in Five Seconds Gunfight.. Ferd Patterson Living and Dying by the Gun. not dentistry) a hard reputation was a definite benefit. It's "High Noon." and not everybody really can do that, especially when there's live rounds coming at you," says Marshall Trimble, Arizona's official state historian. Andy's half-brother, John Blevins, pushed a pistol out the door to Owens' right and fired at the Sheriff. Theres a big difference between a gunfighter and a killer, most of those guys were killers. Fifteen-year-old Samuel Houston Blevins ran out the front door, with his brother's revolver, and yelled "I'll get him." [59] A case in point: the service of the Jesse Evans Gang, and outlaw Jesse Evans himself, as agents for the Murphy-Dolan faction during the Lincoln County War. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. 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