The Complete List of Old West Lawmen - Last Name Starts with "B"

Old West Lawmen - B - Page 2

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William "Bill” Dudley Banks - U.S. Deputy Marshal commissioned in Oklahoma Territory and assigned by Marshal Evett Nix to the Cheyenne District on July 15, 1893. In 1894, Deputy Bank rode with Heck Thomas, Bill Tilghman and Chris Madsen to try 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 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. In the melee, Banks killed outlaw "Tulsa Jack" Blake and collected the reward. The following year, in July, 1895, Banks, along with numerous lawmen from various jurisdictions participated in the manhunt for notorious outlaws, Zip Wyatt and Ike Black. In July, 1898, Banks was riding with U.S. Deputy Marshals Alberty and Dobson when they killed Bill Nail of the Moose Miller Gang.

W.H. Barbee - U.S. Deputy Marshal commissioned in the Western District at Fort Smith, Arkansas on December 14, 1891 by Marshal Jacob Yoes. By 1895, Barbee was living at Braggs, Oklahoma. In April, 1895, outlaws Sam "Verdigris Kid” McWilliams, George Sanders and Sam Butler, who were wanted for robbery and murder, rode into town ordering everyone to put up their hands. The trio of outlaws quickly marched their prisoners Madden General Store and when the store clerk panicked and ran into the street, the outlaws shot him down. As their hostages stood waiting, the thieves robbed the general store and exchanged their clothing and boots for new ones. One of the hostages was then sent to bring a horse to the store, exchanging it for one of theirs. Fortunately, the owner of the store was not present but could see the robbery taking place and quickly reported it to two law officers, one of which was U.S. Deputy Marshal Barbee. When the two officers arrived, they shot the Verdigris Kid and Deputy Marshal Barbee opened fire on the rest of the gang. George Sanders was also killed, and Sam Butler, though wounded, escaped.

Joe I. Barnett (18??-1882) - A Creek Lighthorse Policeman, Barnett was a part of the National Constitutional Party during what was known as the "Green Peach War," a civil war which occurred in the Creek Nation of Indian Territory in 1882. On July 30, 1882, Barnett was one of a group of Creek Lighthorse Polecemand that tried to arrest a group of "Loyal Creeks" (the opposing party,) when the officers were attacked. Both Officer Barnett as well as the officers' leader, Captain Sam Scott were killed.

Adolph P. Barrier (1844-??) - A Deputy Sheriff of San Miguel County, New Mexico during the Lincoln County War , Barrier was born in France in 1844 but immigrated to the United States somewhere along the line. He worked as a paper hanger and painter before being made a deputy sheriff and though not a Lincoln County official, got involved in the their problems when Alexander McSween was ordered into court by Judge Warren Bristol, a Murphy /Dolan proponent. Barrier was tasked with arresting McSween and turning him over to Lincoln County Sheriff William J. Brady for transport to La Mesilla, New Mexico in January, 1878. However, rather than turning him over to Brady, he brought him in himself, which probably saved McSween's life. After McSween's hearing, Barrier accompanied him back to Lincoln County and intervened when James Dolan and Jesse Evans approached John Tunstall on February 6th, trying to goad him into a fight. This action probably once again saved a life, when Deputy Barrier ordered James Dolan away. A short time later, Barrier placed Alexander McSween on John Chisum's ranch for his own security, an action for which, he was charged with contempt of court. though Barrier's actions were noble, they would be in vain, for both Tunstall and McSween . John Tunstall was killed on February 18, 1878, which "officially" started the Lincoln County War. Alexander McSween was killed on July 19, 1878, when his home was besieged the Murphy /Dolan faction.

James R. Barton (18??-1857) - Barton was elected sheriff of Los Angeles County, California in 1851 and filled the position from 1852 to 1855. However, he refused to run for the 1856 term after a vigilante group lynched one of his prisoners. After a year off, he evidently changed his mind, as he was once again filling the role in 1857, a time when the county was rampant with violent crime, averaging one violent death per day. However, for Barton and several other men, their terms would be short. On January 22, 1857, he, along with Deputies William H. Little, Charles K. Baker, Charles T. Daly and three other men set out to capture the notorious Flores-Daniels Gang, who had recently raided the town of San Juan Capistrano. The posse headed south, resting for the night, before stopping for breakfast at the main house of the Rancho San Joaquin southwest of the present-day Santa Ana. Owned by Don Jose Sepulveda, the ranch owner warned the men that they were extremely outnumbered and should get reinforcements before continuing their pursuit. However, Barton and his men ignored the warning and continued on.

After traveling about 12 miles south, they were ambushed by gunshots in a canyon. They tried to return the fire, only to discover that someone (thought to have been a ranch servant) had removed the ammunition from their weapons. Unarmed, the lawmen began to flee, but Sheriff Barton, Constable Charles Baker, Deputy Charles Daly, and Constable William Little were shot and killed, the first lawmen in Los Angeles County to lose their lives in the line of duty. The other three men were able to escape to tell of the ambush. Within two hours, another posse was formed of some 60 men, who once again went after the outlaws. Under the leadership of James Thompson, who would later become Los Angeles County's new sheriff, the posse found the mutilated bodies of the four officers. With renewed enthusiasm, the posse continued the search for the outlaws, arresting 52 of them. Another posse, led by General Andres Pico, immediately lynched two of the most notorious of the gang when they came upon them. Housed in the county jail, eleven of the men were eventually hanged, including Juan Flores on February 14, 1857. Pancho Daniel, who had eluded arrest, was captured the following year and was hanged on November 30, 1858. Before it was all said and done, more than 100 gang members were either captured or killed in pursuit.

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