The Complete List of Old West Vigilantes

Complete List of Old West Vigilantes

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Atchison Postcard Atchinson County Protective Association (1880's) - Operating in Atchinson, Kansas, the group was originally formed in 1883 and called Good Intent. Acting much like other vigilante committees, they quickly took the law into their own hands. Three years later, in 1886, the group was reorganized with another existing group called the Central Protective Association, who was considered much more legitimate. One of their first acts was tracking down a thief who had stolen a team of horses and was finally captured in Nebraska. Three years later, the group, unable to continue to bear the expense of tracking down outlaws, reorganized again, becoming the Atchinson County Protective Association in the spring of 1889. With a number of influential members including bankers and county officials, the group grew to some 1,500 members.

Anti Horse Thief Association (1854-Present) - Unlike many vigilante committees, the Anti Horse Thief Association (AHTA,) sometimes referred to as the “Dark Lantern Association,” was well-recognized and much respected throughout the American West. More ...

The Bald Knobbers (1883-1889) - Originating in Taney County, Missouri, a group of thirteen men formed under the leadership of Nat Kinney in 1883 in an attempt to stop the flood of invading outlaws that plagued the area since the start of the Reconstruction Period. For the seven years following the close of the Civil War, from 1865-1882, over thirty murders had occurred, none of which had led to a conviction.

Before long, the Bald Knobbers themselves began to be arrested and on August 20, 1888, Nat Kinney was shot and killed. Though the violence continued for a short time, by 1899, the era of the Bald Knobbers had run its course. More ...

Committee of 101 (1898) – In 1897, Jefferson “Soapy” Smith arrived in Skagway, Alaska. Known in former mining camps throughout the American West as the “King of the Frontier Con Men," Soapy’s reputation for running his illegal rackets and taking over a town were well known.

Having been run out of Denver, Colorado, Soapy saw opportunity in the Klondyke Gold Rush and, bringing in his gang of rogues and thieves, set about to repeat the process in Skagway. Setting up “shop” in his new saloon named Jeff Smith’s Parlor, Soapy's cons began once again in earnest. His saloon soon became known as the “real city hall,” even though Skagway already had an official one. But some of the Skagway citizens were not so impressed with Soapy who’s heavy drinking and black temper had begun to get completely out of hand.

After about nine months of the domination and fleecing of the town, a number of Skagway citizens had had enough of the man and a vigilante group, who called themselves the “Committee of 101,” threatened to drive Smith and his gang out of town.

However, Soapy retaliated by forming his own group, that he called the “Committee of 303” to intimidate the first group. Soapy alleged that his group had more than 300 members, hoping to force the vigilantes into submission. It worked.

However, when Soapy's gang took some $2,600 in gold from a Klondike miner in an illegal Three-card Monte game, the vigilantes re-emerged and demanded that Soapy give him back his gold. Soapy, of course, refused, claiming that the miner had lost the gold “fairly” in a sporting game. The next night, on July 8, 1898, the vigilantes organized a meeting in Juneau, Alaska. Hearing of the meeting, Soapy decided to attend himself, arriving with a Winchester rifle draped over his shoulder. When he was barred from entering the meeting, he argued with one of four guards, a man named Frank Reid, who was blocking his way. Before long a gunfight erupted and when the smoke cleared both men lay dead.

Jefferson “Soapy” Smith

This image available for photographic prints HERE!

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From the Rocky Mountain General Store

Saloon Style Advertising Prints - What were on the walls of the saloons in the Old West? Likely, much of the same as those you find today - advertisements for liquor, beer, and tobacco. Plus the "decadent" women of the time. In our Photo Print Shop, you'll find dozens of photographs for decorating your "real" saloon or den in a saloon type atmosphere.