10 Historic Crimes from America's Wild West

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at some of the most infamous misdeeds that took place during the era of the Wild West in the United States.

Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch Robberies

At the turn of the 20th century, they were some of the most notorious criminals in the Wild West. Led by Butch Cassidy, the Wild Bunch was feared across the region for their successful robberies and violence towards the authorities. In one infamous 1899 case, the gang held up a Union Pacific train and made off with a fortune. They split up to get the law off their trail– but it wasn’t the end of their spree. Just a month later, some members targeted another train, which led to an intense chase that ended in multiple deaths. When the gang regrouped, they robbed banks and trains alike, cementing their status as some of the fiercest outlaws of the era.

The Bisbee Massacre

What began as an attempted burglary ended in tragedy and death. In 1883, members of the Cochise County Cowboys plotted to hold up a general store in Bisbee, Arizona. Three committed the theft, while another two stood guard. The latter were confronted and immediately turned to violence. They shot civilians, and by the time the smoke cleared, five people had died or been critically wounded. The perpetrators were caught soon afterward and were hanged after a short trial. Another man, John Heath, who was believed to have planned the crime, was given a lighter sentence — only for a mob to drag him from his cell and hang him in 1884. From the robbery to the retribution, the event encapsulated the sheer intensity of the era.

Pearl Hart’s Stagecoach Robbery

Men weren’t the only ones wreaking havoc across the Wild West. Some women partook in misdeeds of their own, and few are as well-known as Pearl Hart. In 1899, she and an accomplice committed what may have been the last stagecoach robbery in United States history. While the passengers were held at gunpoint, Hart nabbed $431. After giving a dollar to each person onboard, the two made their escape. They were caught days later, and she quickly gained a following. This continued even after she was imprisoned, with her giving interviews outside her cell. She was pardoned in 1902. Although her criminal career was shorter and less violent than her male counterparts, she’s an example of how sensationalized felons were during that era.

The Bloody Espinosa Killings

In 1863, one of the United States’ first serial killers began an infamous rampage that would end in dozens being slain. Felipe Espinosa and his brother began their spree in May of that year, after their property was seized by the U.S. Army. Their first target was found with his heart cut from his chest. They used this method on an additional twenty-five people throughout that summer, and it was evident Espinosa didn’t want to stop there. He threatened to claim hundreds of lives if his demands for land and freedom weren’t met. Even after his brother died, he merely recruited another family member and continued his violent spree, claiming 32 victims. They were tracked down later that year and shot, finally bringing their rampage to an end.

The Bascom Affair

Sometimes, all it takes is one mistake to ignite a war. The Bascom affair is the perfect example. It all began in 1861, when a rancher’s son was kidnapped by a rogue band of Apache members. The subsequent search for the perpetrators was led by Lieutenant George Bascom, who incorrectly suspected Apache chief Cochise. He tricked the leader into meeting under the guise of a truce, only to wrongfully imprison him and his family. Cochise escaped, and when Bascom refused to free his loved ones, he snapped. He slayed a dozen people, and in return, his brother and nephews were hanged. That was the final straw for Cochise. Shortly afterwards, a conflict between his tribe and American settlers began, which would last twenty-five years.

The Northfield Raid

By 1876, the infamous James-Younger gang had already gained a reputation of being notorious criminals. They had pulled off a series of successful robberies and planned to see similar success at First National Bank in Northfield, Minnesota. Their heist was interrupted by several of the town’s civilians, who armed themselves and prepared to defend their hometown. They fought back and successfully took out two of the perpetrators, along with wounding three others. The survivors fled, but a manhunt quickly ensued. Jesse James and his brother managed to escape, but the rest were arrested or killed. It marked the official end of the gang, and to this day the city celebrates the bravery of those who stood up to them.

The Bender Family Murders

In the early 1870s, they settled in Labette County, Kansas. The citizens there had no idea what they were in for. Over a period of two years, three bodies were discovered in the area by their property. Several more people went missing, and by 1873, many avoided the area out of fear. That year, the Bender family became official suspects, leading them to flee before they could be investigated. When their property was searched, several corpses were discovered. It was suspected that their targets were bludgeoned and had their throats slit, before being stashed beneath a trap door. Some estimate that they killed 20 people before being found out. They were never found, and to this day it's unclear just how many lives they took.

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral

In 1881, outlaws and lawmen faced off in what would become known as one of the most infamous shootouts of the era. Tensions had been high between the Earp brothers and the Cochise County Cowboys, particularly the Clantons and McLaurys. Things came to a head in 1881, leading to the two groups facing off in Tombstone, Arizona. Upon the first shot, things devolved into chaos. In half a minute, thirty rounds were fired off. By the time the smoke cleared, three men of the Cowboys had perished, and three of the officers had been wounded. Beyond being an iconic piece of Wild West history, it also deepened the resentment between the two groups, whose feud would go on to become even more violent.

Coffeyville Bank Raid

Northfield isn’t the only town to have stood up against criminals. In 1892, the Dalton Gang decided to rob not one but two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas. The day they arrived, news of their plan quickly circulated around town. While the first group was inside Condon Bank, civilians grabbed weapons of their own. They opened fire into the institutions’ windows, and a shootout quickly commenced. The second group robbing First National Bank took out some of the townspeople waiting for them. They tried to flee, but one by one, four of the five perpetrators were shot dead. The fifth survived with more than 20 gunshots, and was sentenced to life in prison. Thus ended the gangs’ reign of terror.

Billy the Kid’s Escape from Lincoln County Jail

Following several years of violent crime, the infamous outlaw was finally apprehended in 1880. After an unsuccessful attempt to appeal to Governor Lew Wallace, William Bonney — otherwise known as Billy the Kid — was sentenced to execution in 1881 and moved to Lincoln County Jail. Although it seemed like the end, it was clear he wasn’t going down without a fight. After outsmarting deputy James Bell, Bonney escaped from his shackles and attacked the guard. The fight resulted in the latter being slain, and the former retreating upstairs with a shotgun in hand. After shooting another officer, Bonney fled the scene. Although he was caught and executed soon after, his act cemented him as a legend of the Wild West.

Which of these Wild West crimes shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments below!