There are so many legendary gunmen from the Wild West to choose from, it’s hard to pick just one. But if I had to choose, I’d go with Jesse James.
Jesse was one of the most famous outlaws of the Wild West, and he was known for his quick shooting skills. He was also a leader of the James-Younger gang, which carried out a number of robberies and murders.
Despite being an outlaw, Jesse was actually a pretty popular figure in the Old West. He was considered something of a Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. He even had a couple of folk songs written about him.
But Jesse’s popularity didn’t save him from a bloody end. In 1882, he was shot and killed by Robert Ford, a member of his own gang.
Even though Jesse James was killed over a century ago, he’s still considered one of the most famous gunmen of the Wild West. He was an outlaw with a heart of gold, and he was known for his quick shooting skills. If I ever found myself in a shootout in the Old West, I’d want Jesse James by my side.
Billy the Kid:
Billy the Kid was born in 1859 as William Henry McCarty, Jr. He was a notorious outlaw in the American West during the 1800s. He was known for his participation in the Lincoln County War and several other shootouts. He was eventually killed by Sheriff Pat Garrett in 1881.
Jesse James:
Jesse Woodson James was born in 1847 in Missouri. He was a notorious outlaw and bank robber in the American West during the 1800s. He was killed by Robert Ford in 1882.
Wyatt Earp:
Wyatt Berry Stapp Earp was born in 1848 in Illinois. He was a lawman and gunfighter in the American West during the 1800s. He is most famous for his part in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He died in 1929.
Doc Holliday:
John Henry “Doc” Holliday was born in 1851 in Georgia. He was a dentist, gambler, and gunfighter in the American West during the 1800s. He is most famous for his friendship with Wyatt Earp and his participation in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. He died in 1887.
John Wesley Hardin:
John Wesley Hardin was born in 1853 in Texas. He was a gunfighter and outlaw in the American West during the 1800s. He was killed by an off-duty policeman in 1895.
Butch Cassidy:
Butch Cassidy was born Robert Leroy Parker in 1866 in Utah. He was a bank robber and outlaw in the American West during the 1800s. He is most famous for his participation in the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. He is believed to have died in 1908.
The Sundance Kid:
Robert Leroy Parker, alias the Sundance Kid, was born in 1867 in Utah. He was a bank robber and outlaw in the American West during the 1800s. He is most famous for his participation in the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. It is unknown whether he survived his last robbery attempt or not.