William “Tulsa Jack” Blake was killed by U.S. Deputy Marshal William Banks (left.)
William “Bill” Dudley Banks was a U.S. Deputy Marshal who apprehended outlaws in Oklahoma Territory.
Banks was commissioned as a U.S. Deputy Marshal and was assigned by Marshal Evett Nix to the Cheyenne District on July 15, 1893.
In 1894, Deputy Banks rode with Heck Thomas, Bill Tilghman, and Chris Madsen to apprehend the Bill Doolin Gang but were unsuccessful.
In February of 1895, Banks rode with several other deputies in pursuit of outlaws Jim Harbolt and Dan McKenzie, who were charged in the murder of Canadian, Texas Sheriff Tom McGee, who was killed on November 24, 1894, during a robbery. Banks and the other marshals were successful in apprehending the two outlaws.
After the Doolin Gang robbed the Chicago & Rock Island train at Dover, Oklahoma, Banks and other officers pursued them once again. The officers caught up with the gang about 30 miles west of Hennessey, Oklahoma, where a gunfight erupted. Banks killed outlaw “Tulsa Jack” Blake in the melee and collected the reward.
The following year, in July 1895, Banks and numerous lawmen from various jurisdictions participated in the manhunt for notorious outlaws Zip Wyatt and Ike Black.
In July 1898, Banks rode with U.S. Deputy Marshals Alberty and Dobson when they killed Bill Nail of the Moose Miller Gang.
©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated March 2025.
Also See:
Doolin-Dalton Gang – Oklahombres
Story of the Outlaw – Study of the Western Desperado
U.S. Marshals – Two Centuries of Bravery
See Sources.