Old West gunfighters refer to people (mostly men!) who were quite handy using their firearms during the nineteenth century when settling the American West. They were not necessarily outlaws, although many were.

1880s Parade on Allen Street - Goes by the O.K. Corral

Some were law officers, or at least were at some point in their life. Some were known for being lawmen, yet sometimes acted a little "fishy" - going outside the law to accomplish their aims! Sometimes delivering vigilante justice. Others were on the wrong side of the law, always! Even, it seems, since childhood.

Some became well-known, infamous you could say, because of a particular old west gunfight! Like the one here in Tombstone, Arizona - pretty well known: The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Let's first look at that one, and the old West gunfighters there.

Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral is the famous draw putting Tombstone on the map. Especially since tourism became popular with the advent of automobile travel. The town historically began capitalizing on its sightseeing potential. Many citizens rely on tourism for their jobs and income.

The very first attraction was Boot Hill. It is still there and a popular place to visit today!

We have to say, about the most well-liked attractions in town are the gunfights. And of the gunfights, the Must-See is the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. It's good to know the True History of that old West gunfight. How it developed, why it happened. For it is a true story!

While at the O.K. Corral Attraction, visitors gather on shaded viewing bleachers. They watch actors portray old west gunfighters who took part in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral.

The scene isn't at the actual spot. They use fake "store-front" type buildings. It's a short, entertaining skit to give you an idea of what occurred that pivotal day! It's also devised to keep the little ones entertained, as well. 

See these semi-movable, life-size figures of:

• The McLaurys: Tom & Frank
• The Clantons: Ike & Billy
• The Earp brothers: 

1. Wyatt Earp, 
2. Virgil Earp 
3. & also Morgan Earp

• And Doc Holliday 

They're placed in their location at the start of the gunfight. A narration is set in motion by pushing a button. The figures move (to a degree, they don't fall) along with it, to show who fired when.

This is where the gunfight actually did occur. In this vacant lot. It's adjacent to photographer C.S. Fly's Studio. It's behind the actual O.K. Corral. 

• "Buckskin" Frank Leslie - A man of many faces: a U.S. Army scout, gambler, rancher, and miner. Also worked as a bartender at the Oriental Saloon. Known around Tombstone as a quick-draw old West gunfighter. Some believe he was a con-man.
• Frank Stilwell - Associated with the Cow-boys. Was deputized by Sheriff John Behan, serving four months. His interests included mines, saloons, wholesale liquors, a stage line, and a livery stable. Wyatt Earp killed him.
• Sherman McMaster - Most known in Tombstone as Wyatt Earp's friend, helping on his Vendetta Ride avenging Morgan Earp's death and Virgil's shooting.
• Luke Short - For a time had an interest in the Oriental Saloon. He shot Charlie Storms there when serving as a Faro look-out.
• Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson - What a storied life! A U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, even a journalist toward the end. He worked with Wyatt Earp when they were in Dodge City.

• Burt (Albert) Alvord - Cochise County Sheriff, Texas John Slaughter, deputized him in 1886. By the end of the century he turned to crime, robbing trains.
• John Horton "Texas John" Slaughter - A rancher in Cochise County, who was elected County Sheriff for two terms.
• David "Dave" Rudabaugh - Sometimes known as "Dirty Dave." Was in Tombstone for awhile, associating with the Clanton Gang and the Cow-boys.
• William "Russian Bill" Tattenbaum - In town he claimed descent from Russian nobility. He associated with the Cow-boys. Kinda looked like a "dandy!"
• Jack Taylor - He led a gang that conducted train robberies in Cochise County. 
  
• Texas Jack Vermillion - Primarily known in Tombstone for taking part in Wyatt's Vendetta ride.

• Jesse James - The middle child, raised as a Southerner in Western Missouri. During the Civil War, he aided Confederate support fighting groups. Jesse was shot, injured twice during these conflicts. At his Uncle's place recovering, he fell in love with 1st cousin, Zerelda Mimms. Jesse & brother Frank held much post Civil-War bitterness. When beginning their bank, train & stage robbing gang activities, they mainly raided to avenge for crimes of the war. Joining up with kindred spirits: Cole Younger & his brothers, they forged the James-Younger gang. Becoming infamous, instigating an Entertainment Legacy that began at that time! The Pinkerton Detective Agency took charge of catching them. But an inside job got him. Read Jesse's Story>
  
• Alexander Franklin "Frank" James - The first child, older brother of Jesse James. A good student, he planned to be a teacher. Was 18 when the Civil War began, he joined the Confederate forces. Taking sick, he surrendered to the Union. They let him go home. He ended up joining Quantrill's Raiders for the 1863 Lawrence Massacre. Afterwards some accounts tell of gunfights he's involved in. Then he joined his brother Jesse, robbing banks & trains from 1868 to 1876 that included murders. After Jesse was killed, he surrendered to authorities. But accountability never quite reached him.

• "Queen" Ann Bassett - She grew up on ranches in Colorado & Utah, learning riding, roping & guns. Her father's customers for supplies & horses included outlaws, like Butch Cassidy. She was educated, but loved ranching. Ann got romantically involved with Cassidy in her teens, but was also friendly with others in Cassidy's Wild Bunch. She hung with them about seven years. Her nickname came from her outspoken efforts against the cattlemen's associations.
  
• Charles E. "Charlie" Bassett - Around 25 years old he appeared in Dodge City, Kansas. Opening the Long Branch Saloon. In 1873 he was elected first Ford County Sheriff, then re-elected twice. Unable by law to run again, he next became City Marshal. That's when he chose Wyatt Earp as Assistant. He interacted with quite a few outlaws during his days in law enforcement.
• Sam Bass - An orphan raised by an aunt & uncle in Indiana. On his own at age 18. He went to Denton, Texas. Worked on a Sheriff's farm & drove coaches. He saved money, bought a race horse, beginning a gambler's life. Then a bad gold mine investment left him broke. He turned to robbery. With the "Black Hill Bandits" he robbed stages, then trains. Forming his own gang, robbing trains & banks in Texas. Rangers came after them, called the "Sam Bass War." Finally had a show-down in Round-rock TX, where he's buried. Read More>

• William L. "Buffalo Bill" Brooks - Nicknamed because he began as a buffalo hunter. Then drove a stage-coach. In 1872 he became Marshal in Newton Kansas. After that was offered the Marshal's job in Dodge City. During his lawman days he was involved in over 15 gunfights!
• Robert Leroy "Butch Cassidy" Parker - Growing up with Mormon parents in Utah, he left home before adulthood. Working on a farm, he met cattle rustler Mike Cassidy. He later took his name, adding Butch after working as a butcher in Wyoming. He mostly cowboyed until 1889 when he robbed a bank at age 23. Eventually he hooked up with Harry Longabaugh, the Sundance Kid.
• William H. "Billy the Kid" (nee: Henry McCarty) Bonney - A hard young life, orphaned at 13, while living in New Mexico. He was arrested stealing food at 16. Continued robbing. He fled arrest in New Mexico by going to Arizona, where he committed his first murder. Back in NM, he joined with the Regulators in the Lincoln County War. Where he gained infamy. He once said he killed 21. More reliable estimates total nine. 
  

• John Wesley Hardin - Born into a Texas preacher's family, he grew up a problematic child. In 1868, his first murders was four freed slaves. It didn't end there. Next a soldier, a gambler, a pimp & two men in a posse coming after him. Finally arrested in 1871 at age 17. He escaped during transport, killing four lawmen in the process. Hardin hooked up with cousins as a cowboy to escape Texas. Then still got involved in gunfights & a few more killings. After that still more involvement with old west gunfighters. Even including shooting a man (although unintentionally) for snoring! Reputation as the fastest draw of all old west gunfighters. Finally captured by Texas Rangers, tried for murder of Deputy Sheriff Charles Webb & sentenced to 25 years. Controversy & gun-play followed him til the end!
• William Marion "Bill" Dalton - As an adult, started in the California legislature. Then turned to crime, with desire for infamy. With his brother Grat, he went on a three-year spree of bank, stagecoach & train robbery around Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas & Kansas. In 1892 his brother was killed. He joined up with The Wild Bunch. Then in Oklahoma he killed Deputy US Marshal Shadley. Bill was cornered & killed by a posse in Pooleville OK in 1894. 
  

• Pearl Hart - Born in Canada, (nee Taylor) good family life & educated. In her teens she met Mr. Hart & they eloped. He wasn't the dream she thought! He was abusive. She returned to her parents. She tried working out her marriage a few times. Including an 1893 World's Fair trip, giving her a look at Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show. She became fascinated with cowboys, so on her own, went West. Ended up in Arizona, funding herself various ways. At a desperate point she robbed a stage with a male accomplice. They were captured. Next lodging: Yuma Territorial Prison. Afterwards, slim details. But she caused a sensation as a woman stage robber!
  
• James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok - His talents encompassed many occupations: drover, wagon master, soldier, spy, scout, lawman, gunfighter, gambler, showman, actor & embellisher of his own life! He did a lot, but did a lot more to make it even more exciting. Raised in Illinois, with youthful life filled with local freedom & adventure. He went West after a fight when he thought wrongly he'd killed another youth. He wasn't immune to gunfights, either as Marshal or gambler. And that's how his life ended, shot while in a card game.
• Bass Reeves - Born an Arkansas slave for state legislator William Steele Reeves. That family moved to Texas when Bass was eight. Later he was with the son, George Reeves. Bass left that family, running North to Indian Territory, living with the Cherokee, Creek & Seminole tribes. He learned all their languages. In 1865, when the 13th Amendment abolished slavery, he returned to Arkansas a freedman. There he married, began farming, eventually had 11 children. U.S. Marshal James Fagan hired Bass as U.S. Deputy Marshal for Western Arkansas, including Indian Territory, since he spoke the languages. He also served in Eastern Texas & Muskogee Oklahoma. During his 32 years as a law officer he made over 3000 arrests, engaging 14 gunfighters to defend himself. Just before retirement he served two years on the Muskogee Police Department.

• Thomas E. "Black Jack" Ketchum - Born in Texas, he went to New Mexico by 1890. He worked as a cowboy. Then became involved in robbing trains & stagecoaches. He joined the Wild Bunch, Hole in the Wall Gang. He also did jobs on his own, including his last. Shot by the train conductor, found & arrested the next day. Sentenced to death by hanging. Ending up in decapitation! 
  
• Ben "Tall Texan" Kilpatrick - Born in Texas, he started adulthood as a cowboy. He became friendly with a few outlaws, then joining Cassidy's Wild Bunch gang. He was imprisoned at one point. When released, he continued his criminal life. He attempted a train robbery, but the Wells Fargo messenger defended the valuables by attacking the Tall Texan with a mallet. It caused fatal brain damage.
• Martha Jane "Calamity Jane" Cannary - Born in Missouri, the oldest of six children. Her parents died when she was a teen. She took charge of her younger siblings. To earn money she did dishwashing, cooking, waitressing, nursing. She worked as a dance-hall girl & an ox team driver. When necessary she worked as a prostitute at Three-Mile Hog Ranch in Fort Laramie, Wyoming. She claimed she scouted for Fort Russell. At least she hung around the military fort areas when they were occupied with Native American campaign conflicts. She claimed she was christened "Calamity Jane" by a post commander who she saved from falling off his horse. However she got it, it was hers by mid-1876. That year she joined Charlie Utter's wagon train to Deadwood, meeting Wild Bill Hickok. She had two daughters. There's an unverified claim that one was fathered by Hickok. A heavy drinker through her life, but also was known to help people.

• Myra Maybelle Shirley Reed "Belle" Starr - Well educated, born & growing up in Missouri. She became acquainted with the Younger & James families in her youth. Her family moved to Texas in 1864, after a Union attack during the Civil War. She married one of Quantrill's Raiders, Jim Reed in post war 1866. Belle dressed stylishly, rode side-saddle all glamoured up & was a great shot with her twin pistols. She had two children by Reed. When he was killed, she moved on. She married Sam Starr, a Cherokee who took her to his family in Indian Territory. Together they grew a lucrative system of fencing for rustlers, horse-thieves & bootleggers. Plus provided them hide-outs. Finally Bass Reeves caught up with them. After serving time, they took up old habits. Belle escaped conviction, but Sam was killed in a gunfight with an officer. She remarried a Starr relative to stay on Indian land. When nearly 41, she was ambushed & killed, never determined by whom.