Deaths and Graves of the Old West

Deaths & Graves of the Old West

Alexander Franklin "Frank" James, aka: “Buck” (1840-1915) -- Frank was the brother of Jesse James, riding with the James-Younger Gang on most of their robberies. Later, when the Youngers were arrested in the Northfield, Minnesota raid, Frank was a member of the James Gang. After Jesse was killed, he surrendered to authorities in 1882. He was tried and acquitted by a sympathetic Missouri jury. The last thirty years of Frank James' life saw him not as an illustrious outlaw but as a farmer, shoe salesman, race track starter, and directing a Wild West show. Frank died quietly in 1915 and is buried at Hill Park Cemetery in Independence, Missouri

Frank James

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Jesse James in Platte City, Missouri

in 1864

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Jesse James (1847-1882) – The famous outlaw and leader of the James-Younger gang, robbed banks and trains for sixteen years. On April 3, 1882, Robert (Bob) Ford and his brother Charles called upon Jesse at his home in St. Joseph, Missouri. The brothers had joined the James Gang and while Jesse was laying out his plans for the next holdup, he turned to adjust a picture on the wall. While his back was turned, Bob Ford shot him from behind. James was 34 years-old. Ford was forever after known as “that dirty little coward.”

His brother Charles, so feared for his life by retribution by Frank James, that he committed suicide just two years later. Bob Ford, was himself, shot in 1892. Jesse was buried upon the family farm near Kearney, Missouri. The body lied in this peaceful rail-fenced spot for 20 years, when the remains were removed to Mount Olivet Cemetery in Kearney, Missouri.

Thomas E. “Black Jack” Ketchum (1866-1901) – Black Jack led a gang of bandits who robbed trains in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. While robbing a train with two other gang members in August 1899, Ketchum was shot and captured. After recovering from his wounds, he was tried and sentenced to hang on April 26, 1901 in Clayton, New Mexico. Having no experience in hanging, the authorities improperly setup the rope and when Black Jack fell through the gallows, he was decapitated. Ketchum was the only person ever hanged in Union County, New Mexico and the only person ever hanged for train robbery in the State of New Mexico. Later, the law was found to be unconstitutional to apply capital punishment to a robbery offence, but it was too late for Black Jack. Ketchum’s head was sewed back on his torso and he was buried at Clayton's Boothill. In the 1930's his body was moved to the new cemetery in Clayton, New Mexico where it remains today.

Black Jack Ketchum hanging in Clayton, New Mexico

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William Preston "Wild Bill" Longley (1851-1878) -- Wild Bill Longley was one of the most vicious racists and murders in Texas during the Wild West days. The noted gunman was said to have been hanged three times. The first was when he was strung up by vigilantes. However, as the mob rode off, one man turned and aimed several shots at Longley. One bullet hit Longley in the face and broke a tooth, while another frayed the the rope from which he was hanging. The rope weakened with the weight of Longley's body and broke, saving his life. The second time was during his official execution in Giddings, Texas. The hangman was a novice and gave Longley too much slack. When Longley, over six feet tall, fell through the trap, his feet hit the ground. The Sheriff and guards then held him up so he would choke to death. Longley is buried in Giddings, Texas.

George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb, a/k/a Slaughter’s Kid (?-1895) -- Newcomb was a member of both the Dalton and the Doolin Gangs, both of which robbed a number of banks and trains. By May 1895, he had a $5,000 reward on his head. When he and Charley Pierce stopped to see Newcomb’s teenage girlfriend, Rose Dunn, her brothers turned them in for the reward and he was shot and killed by lawmen. His father James Newcomb claimed the body and buried George on the family farm near Nine Mile flats, southwest of Norman, Oklahoma, on the north bank of the Canadian river.

Johnny Ringo Johnny Ringo (1850-1882) -- Ringo was a mysterious shootist and outlaw who earned a deadly reputation from numerous gunfights in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. He fought with the Clantons in Tombstone, Arizona against the Earps. Reportedly, he committed suicide in 1882, although Wyatt Earp claimed later to have killed him. Ringo is buried a few yards from the tree where his body was found. The grave is located on a ranch southeast of Wilcox, Arizona, owned by the Sanders family and can only be viewed with permission.

Sitting Bull, courtesy Library of Congress

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Sitting Bull (1831-1890) -- On July 19, 1881, after four years of self-exile in Canada, Sitting Bull and his followers surrendered to U.S. officials at Fort Buford in what is now North Dakota and were placed on the nearby Standing Rock Indian reservation. Nine years later, during the Ghost Dance Movement, Indian police were sent to arrest Sitting Bull, who was accused of encouraging Indian rebellion. At dawn on December 15, 1890, Sitting Bull was pulled from his cabin bed by Indian police, and when he resisted, the famous chief was shot and killed by an Indian police officer named Red Tomahawk. After his death he was buried in the post cemetery at Fort Yates, North Dakota. In 1953 what many believed were the remains of Sitting Bull were moved from Fort Yates to a memorial overlooking the Missouri River near Mobridge, South Dakota. However, many North Dakotans believe the wrong remains were moved and today both states staunchly claim to have Sitting Bull's burial site.

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To the well organized mind, death is but the next adventure.

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