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An outgrowth of the Civil War, the
gunfighter era also spawned a number of outlaws. With men who had become accustomed to violence and often having lost their lands or fortunes, being quick with a gun was often an easy transition.
Though about a third of the
gunman died of "natural causes," many died violently in gunfights,
lynchings, or legal executions. The average age of death was about 35. However, of those
gunman who used their skills on the side of the law, they would persistently live longer lives than those that lived a life of crime.
The occupations of
gunfighters ranged from
lawmen, to cowboys, ranchers, gamblers, farmers, teamsters, bounty hunters, and outlaws.
During these violent days, most of the shootings occurred in
Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, California, Missouri, and Colorado.
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