History and Glamorization of the Outlaw in the Old Wild West

By, Annie Jones

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Wild West outlaws, the TV westerns my parents watched when I was growing up such as “Gunsmoke” and “The Rifleman” come to mind. Since I was raised in rural Texas next to a cattle ranch, it was common for me to see cowboys riding their horses down the street. I kind of felt like I was actually living in the Wild West (and some would say I actually was, since Texas is its own country you know, LOL!)

Since I now live in the big city of Seattle, I find myself often reminiscing to those days when I could look in any direction and there was nothing but land and sky as far as the eye could see.

Hence, writing historical Western-themed fiction probably came naturally to me. Since my book releasing in Spring, 2021, Dalton’s Dual Brides, features an outlaw named Butler Robb (along with some treasure he supposedly buried on our hero’s land before he was caught and hanged), I decided to look more into the history of outlaw culture in the late 19^th century.

From around 1850 to 1890, the western frontier had little in the way of government law or police. Men carried guns to protect their families and property. There were outlaws who stole from people and lawmen who tried to stop them and seek justice.

I had no idea that Billy the Kid, was actually not a thief and killed more men in self-defense than out of malice. He, like some men, became outlaws simply by backing the wrong side or getting in with the wrong people. I think we see that even today, where “good” people make poor choices for one reason or another.

Historically, when the first white settlers came out West in hopes of finding fortune during the gold-rush, the unforgiving natural terrain and the resistance put up by aggrieved indigenous occupants of the land made travel a serious risk. Would-be settlers heading out west in wagon trains were thus vulnerable to everything from severe weather to Native American raiding parties, bandit attacks and opportunistic crime. As the colonists, immigrants and prospectors travelled with all their possessions and whatever money and gold they owned, they made for easy targets.

Community-led justice was evident all over. Punishment was harsh, and there was much vigilantism.

Things only got worse when a carpenter named James W Marshall struck gold at Sutter’s Mill on 24 January 1848. In the California Gold Rush that followed, men from all over the world arrived in the hope of getting rich. This created a social situation where the only recreational outlets were brothels, saloons and gaming houses.

The American Civil War (1861–65) also had a major impact on the West too as the men who lived through it were often experienced shooters and desensitized to violence. One example of men like this was Jesse James and his brother Frank, who after the war, put their skills in robbing banks.

Shortly after the Civil War ended, the ‘golden spike’ was hammered home at Promontory Summit, Utah, which symbolically connected two rail tracks, Central Pacific and Union Pacific, to create the First Transcontinental Railroad.

The railroad of course brought major changes to the West, and more opportunities for outlaw gangs to rob entire families of their possessions on their way to settle the frontier.

Private agencies assumed the role of law enforcers and property protectors too. The best-known of these was the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, established by Scotsman Allan Pinkerton, a pioneering detective and spy. He had been appointed Chicago’s first detective in 1849 then launched the North-Western Police Agency, which became the Pinkertons.

After the war, Pinkerton established a private law-enforcement agency and detectives chased Butch and Sundance right down into South America but failed to capture the notorious Jesse James who was later shot in the back by one of his kin who sought the ransom money.

Hollywood depicts the Wild West as a bountiful paradise tamed by swaggering heroes such the ones played by the iconic actor, John Wayne. He was the archetypal cowboy hero riding in to save maidens from distress. However, the truth of frontier life was very different from the gilded myth – and it rarely had a happy ending due to inclement weather, lawlessness, loneliness, and back-breaking work for little pay. In fact, I read that one female homesteader wrote in her diary about being undecided as to whether to kill a chicken for supper or spare it as her only companion!!

It is clear that this unique era and the dramatic stories of the actual lives of real people have continued to capture the imagination of audiences to this very day. I am proud to be among them and can’t wait to bring you more of the stories we love set during this fascinating time of American history.

My book, Dalton’s Dual Brides, part of the Matchmaker’s Mix-Up series, will be available for pre-order April 1^st, and A Bride for Big Ed, part of the Proxy Bride services, will be available May 1^st. And stay tuned for four more books after that throughout 2021!

My website and newsletter are currently in developed and will be ready in another month or two.

In the meantime, I recently published a children’s book about the power and legacy of love. My 13-year-old daughter did the illustrations! The paperback includes a coloring book section, positive affirmations, and pages for children to create their own artwork. You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08KSL2NNN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tpbk_p1_i0

About me:

I work as a disability counselor and feel honored to help people rediscover their wholeness in Spirit and navigate complex medical and legal systems. I am also a professional book reviewer for Publishers Weekly and run my own blog, Annie's Book Nook, where I talk about upcoming releases in romance, mystery, and faith-based fiction. https://annies-book-nook.blogspot.com/. I'll be joining you here as featured blogger and author the 3rd Monday of every month.

I’m excited to be on this journey as a Christian fiction writer and have multiple historical and contemporary romances scheduled for upcoming publication. I welcome the opportunity to connect with others so please feel free to “Friend” me on Facebook under my full name: Anne Kemerer Jones. https://www.facebook.com/anne.k.jones.555