The Wild West conjures images of the final American frontier and the famous gunslingers living there. Immortalized in folklore and Hollywood, these gunslingers have become iconic childhood images for millions of Americans. The stories of heroes and villains fighting it out on the dramatic Western landscape helped shape the history and culture of the United States.

The names of Wyatt Earp, Billy the Kid, and Wild Bill Hickok were once revered like contemporary sports stars, but their business was oftentimes violent and deadly. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most prolific gunslingers of the Wild West.

Wyatt Earp

Wyatt Earp was one of the most famous gunslingers and gamblers in American history. He gained his notoriety for his actions at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona, but this wasn’t the starting point of his law enforcement career. Born in Illinois, he started with humble beginnings.

As he worked his way farther out West, he held several law enforcement roles. Earp worked for a time as a sheriff, constable, and even a Deputy U.S. Marshal. He also had other occupations–at certain points in his life, he was a professional gambler, brothel keeper, bouncer, and bartender.

Earp was known all across the land because he traveled from each western boomtown, always looking for a way to make some quick money. He followed the boom to Alaska, where he made over $80,000 running a saloon–equivalent to about $2 million today. Of course, he was also one of the most feared gunslingers in the West.

He was a renowned lawman, and the shootout at the O.K. Corral would help stamp his place in history. Earp and his two partners, Doc Holliday and Virgil Earp, encountered five members of the notorious outlaw gang The Cowboys. After the dust settled, three of the Cowboys had been killed, and the other two fled the fight, leaving Earp and the marshals victorious in the battle.

Wyatt Earp published an autobiography–Wyatt Earp: Frontier Marshal–that became a bestseller. Of course, his story lives on in Hollywood, with several movies portraying this famous gunslinger of the Wild West.

Billy the Kid

On the other side of the law, few are more famous than Billy the Kid. Born William H. Bonney, he started a life of crime at an early age, after he lost his parents when he was 14. Billy quickly learned how to fend for himself. He gambled and picked up odd jobs, always looking for the following way to make a quick buck. He became famous for stealing horses.

After stealing enough horses from the U.S. Army, he decided to head out West, where he would get in more trouble. After murdering a man in Lincoln, New Mexico, Billy the Kid was indicted on murder charges. As he was being pursued, he killed several other men, leaving a path of death and destruction across New Mexico.

Although he was captured, it wasn’t the end of Billy the Kid. He managed to escape and killed two more deputy sheriffs as he made his exit. Billy the Kid became an outlaw fugitive with a $500 bounty on his head, and it was only a matter of time until the law caught up with him. Sheriff Pat Garrett in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, killed him. Some legends say Billy’s death was staged, and he continued to live his life in the Wild West.

In total, Billy the Kid killed eight men on his murder spree. He solidified his name in outlaw lore and became a famous fugitive whose story lives on in Hollywood and TV.

Wild Bill Hickok

Wild Bill may hold the title of the deadliest gunslinger in the West. He carried his two Colt 1851 Navy revolvers with ivory grips and nickel plating on display at the Adams Museum in Deadwood, South Dakota. He was known to wear his pistols in a cavalry draw, which could be equated to a reverse draw today. His carrying style can be equated to an inside-the-waistband holster set up for a cross-draw.

He held every job you could think of–starting his life as an outlaw and ending it as a sheriff. He was a gambler, actor, soldier, spy, scout, and marksman. Some say he fabricated many accomplishments, but no one could deny his larger-than-life personality. He was credited with killing over 100 men and was in several different gunfights. One of his most famous duels was with Davis Tutt, where Hickock shot the man at 75 yards–an impressive feat, even by today’s standards.

His wild ruffian lifestyle eventually caught up to him. Jack McCall shot Hickok in the back of the head while he was playing five-card stud. The hand Hickok held had two pairs–one pair of black aces and a pair of black eights. This became known as the dead man’s hand. However, his story wouldn’t end there, as there have been several portrayals in movies, books, and stories. The legends of his wildlife live on today.

Conclusion

The American Wild West was a violent and bloody place. Over the years, much mystery and tragedy have shrouded this time in American history, but these legends have continued to live on.

These famous gunslingers were part of an era of uncertainty–when the West was still wild and the rule of law scarce. Their stories are woven with history and grandeur, so they remain relevant today.