Canton became an outlaw after leaving law enforcement and joined the Wild Bunch group of outlaws. (Credit: Public Domain) Christopher "Kit" Carson became a folk hero for his depictions in. His famous appellation was won during his employment as a hunter for the Kansas Pacific Railroad Construction Company in 1867-68. Thanks to his exploits, he rose to the status of one of the most famous black heroes of the Old West. Corral was viewed more as a personal confrontation between the Earp brothers and a group of locals than as a fight between lawmen and outlaws. Related read: 8 Reasons Why Black Bart Was a One-Of-A-Kind Old West Outlaw. Native Americans have made up an integral part of U.S. military conflicts since America's beginning. During his years of frontier life, he became the peer of the best among mountaineers and plainsmen. He was known as a gunfighter and gambler who fought in the Civil War and was a scout for Custer's Cavalry. In 1890 the Scouts were authorized to wear the branch of service insignia of crossed arrows. At 17, Jesse James (1847-1882) left his native Missouri to fight as a Confederate guerrilla in the Civil War. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a registered Boy Scout from age 11 to 13 with Troop 151 in Atlanta, according to Boys Life. Doc Holliday 2. He is a graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, MD. Bat Masterson was a famed Old West lawman, buffalo hunter, and gambler. He assisted his friend, Luke Short, the owner of the Long Branch Saloon. Some men behind the badge started out as devoted public servants committed to keeping law and order, but made questionable choices that landed them on the wrong side of the law. The West owes much to those hardy men who, usually from mere love of adventure, wandered alone or in small companies across the wilderness, ever in advance of the settlements and the troops, exploring the unknown, tracing nameless rivers, uncovering hidden water holes in the harsh desert, penetrating to every nook and corner of the Great Plains and the mountains beyond, discovering the haunts of Indians, the routes which the wheels of caravans could follow with the greatest safety, the best camping spots, the scattered places where wood and water were sure to be found. The Gatling gun was one of the most unused weapons of the Old West, but perhaps one of the most important. Wyatt Earp (1848-1929) was an American lawman and gunfighter who helped shape the history of the American West. This six-shooter also became the weapon of choice for those living on the frontier. Although history remembers Pat Garrett as the sheriff who shot and killed the famous outlaw, Billy the Kid, Garrett was, according to many historians, one of the greatest sheriffs of the Old West. He is regarded today as a contentious figure in the history of the Old West. The reports of John Fremont lifted Kit Carson from obscurity; Custer made the fame of California Joe; Merritt and Carr gave widespread to the reputations of Wild Bill and Buffalo Bill. It was the most feared weapon during this time period. As early as 1863, he was employed as a guide and scout for an expedition against the Kiowa and Comanche and later carried dispatches straight through the hostile Indian country between Forts Lyon and Larned. In 1915 Scott persuaded Congress to allow I-See-O to serve on active duty for life. Related read: 22 Must-See Modern Western Movies from the Last 22 Years. For several years, he was in Government employ, guiding army detachments in Indian campaigns. Richard Jordan Gatling first patented this proto-machine gun during the Civil War in 1862. Parrish also wrote several other books including When Wilderness Was King, My Lady of the North, Historic Illinois, and others. During their trip, the baronet gave Bridger a copy of the adventures of Baron Munchausen to read. This particular revolver came in three calibers: the .32 caliber, Rainmaker; the .38 Lightning, and the .41 Thunderer. Wild Bill Hickok He was a folk hero of the American Old West known for his life on the frontier as a soldier, scout, lawman, cattle rustler, gunslinger, gambler, showman, and actor, and for his involvement in many famous gunfights. Curley is most often identified as the lone survivor of "Custer's Last Stand". 614-617. Virgil died at the age of 62 in 1905. He was a mulatto of medium height, but great muscular power, and no man in mountains or on Plains ever led a more adventurous life. 1. Prologue Magazine, 41(2). An Illinoisan, he was 18 years old before he appeared on the Plains as an employee of the American Fur Company. This revolver went through two iterations before landing at the popular New Model Russian, which was manufactured between 1874 and 1878. This impacted his outlook on law enforcement throughout his life. junho 30, 2022 . In the Old West, the line between lawman and outlaw was fluid. One beginner Girl Scout in California sold out her entire cookie inventory when drag queens and gay bar patrons started lining up. Guns were tools used on the frontier to harvest resources, defend oneself against animals, and to conquer Native Americans. He was a guest of President Calvin Coolidge at the White House in 1925. He has been the topic of several books, movies, and television productions, and his exploits continue to captivate people all around the world. General George S. Patton famously bore an ivory-handled Peacemaker during World War II. Driving on pavement for a few miles takes through the almost ghost town of Chloride and its old town charm. No man of his time knew the northern Plains or the mountains beyond so thoroughly as he, and it was his eyes that first looked out upon the Great Salt Lake in the Winter of 1824-25. Lets step back in time in Colts history and look at the revolutionary Colt Paterson Revolver, which was the genesis of all revolvers. Scouts, Explorers, Mountain Men American Indian Wars Cowboy Art Cowboy And Cowgirl Vintage Western Western Art Old West Outlaws Westerns Military Scout Junction City, (Fort Riley) Kansas ca 1890s. Here are 10 of the most famous and notorious of these outlaws of the Wild West. Colonists recruited Indian allies during such instances as the Pequot War from 16341638, the Revolutionary War, as well as in War of 1812. According to the Frontier American Illustrated News, this firearm was created by William Mason and the first of its kind. Related read: 10 Fascinating Facts about Stagecoach Mary, Motherly Wild West Pioneer. He has authored three books: The Sunken Gold, Seventeen Fathoms Deep, and Four Years Before the Mast. James Butler Hickok aka Wild Bill Hickok As was the case with many of the outlaws you are going to read about here, Wild Bill Hickock operated on both sides of the law. 10. Named for the Republic of Texas Navy. Some of the Old Wests most famous lawmen have become legendary figures in American history and culture and include: Their exploits and adventures have been memorialized in innumerable books, movies, and television episodes, making them some of the most enduring American West figures. These weapons were muzzle-loaded, which limited its efficiency and firing rate. "Be prepared" is the Girl Scouts motto, and scouting has been credited with helping to prepare generations of girls for success in later life. Despite his devotion to upholding the law, Dave Allison had his flaws: addicted to gambling, Allison often found himself deep in debt. Members of the Cochise County Cowboys, a local gang, caused endless trouble in the area. He was for years a prisoner among the Indians, a soldier in the war with Mexico, an officer in the revolt against Maximilian, and an Indian fighter, miner, trapper, trader, and Government scout. Allison was gunned down by two cattle rustlers in 1923. Gary L. Ackerman - U.S. Representative from NY. Scouts and Sharpshooters Kit Carson. He was born John Henry Holliday in 1851 in Griffin, Georgia, a town about 35 miles south of Atlanta. There are three other books in the series as well. Vol. These handsome cap-and-ball six-guns were among the most popular in the Old West. THEATRE ROYAL. Inman relates that once when the President, in his swing around the circle had arrived at St. Louis and was riding through the streets of that city in an open barouche, he was pointed out to Bridger, who happened to be in the city. As a result, the company sent armed guards armed with these messenger guns. There are many stories about how the Boy Scouts came into existence: Unknown Scouts on foggy London streets, clubs organized for wayward boys, or alternative organizations to an increasingly urbanized way of life. A gunfighter, gambler, showman, and peace officer, Hickok may have killed more than 100 men. In fact, he rose through the ranks of the Texas Rangers because he was so successful at weakening the power of the Comanche people in the area. Captain Jack Hays used his unique brand of Texas crime-fighting to bring order to the region. Several books, movies, and TV productions have been based on Reeves life and work. Before becoming a cop, Masterson served in the Army as a buffalo hunter and scout. After the war, Erskine S. Allin proposed to convert these old muzzle-loaders to breach-loaded weapons that could fire .58 caliber bullets. Bents Fort on the Arkansas River became his chosen outfitting point, but for months at a time, he would disappear into the wilderness. Plenty of honest, honorable, brave men were hired as sheriffs, marshals, and deputies tasked with cleaning up lawless western towns and tracking down ruthless outlaws. Dismounting and abandoning their horses, the brave band moved together for a hundred yards to a buffalo wallow, a shallow natural depression in the prairie. The Old West was a period in American history that spanned from the mid-nineteenth century to the early twentieth century and was marked by lawlessness, bloodshed, and rugged frontier living. These Apache scouts were asked to campaign against their own kin, resulting in a mutiny against the army soldiers. The Cibicue Apaches were among the first regular Army Scouts. In a single action firearm, the user manually pulls back the hammer of the gun and then fires it with the trigger. Need To Book Cleaning Service? Enlistment records and muster rolls, from 1866 to 1912 were in many instances filed by state, some records were broken down by company or military post providing information such as when, where, and by whom the scout was enlisted; period of enlistment; place of birth; age at time of enlistment; physical description; and possibly additional remarks such as discharge information, including date and place of discharge, rank at the time, and if the scout died in service. Made in various calibers, notably the .45, some 192,000 units of the Peacemaker were produced over the course of its history. He was a quick-tempered Irishman, under the average stature and red-faced, always ready for fight or frolic. Deputy U.S. He was born in Missouri in 1854 and grew up in Kansas. It was called the Navy because as noted in Weapons of the Civil War Cavalryman, the cylinder was engraved with a scene from the May 16, 1843 victory of the Texas Navy over Mexico at the Battle of Campeche. But this was just one tale in the long life of Jim Bridger. Frequently he was obliged to extract pay at the muzzle of his rifle, but very few ever got by him scot-free. According to Colt: An American Classic, only about 200 of these models were completed, and have since become highly desirable among collectors. This gun was used extensively in Missouri during civil unrest prior to the Civil War. Corral, where he fell into cahoots with Josephine Marcus, it was his brother, Virgil, who was the city marshal of Tombstone at the time, in addition to being the deputy U.S. marshal for the territory. Stars Who Used to Be Boy Scouts: Chris Pratt, Jack Black and More By Dory Jackson February 8, 2021 Shutterstock (2) 14 A Scout for life! The names of many of these men became renowned upon the Plainsand deserve remembrance by this generation. Here's one of the outtakes: stats for some of the legendary figures introduced in GURPS Old West. The weapon, however, had flaws, particularly with the trigger. Marshal Bill Tilghman, along with two others, Chris Madsen and Heck Thomas, were known as The Three Guardsmen, a name popularized in Old West literature describing the three lawmen who became legendary in their pursuit of many outlaws of the late 19th century. famous scouts of the old west. Here are the greatest Old West mountain men. . The Old West had a reputation for being a lawless place and time. Holliday joined Wyatt Earp when he moved further west to Arizona, eventually settling in the town of Tombstone. There, he found work as a cowboy with cattle drivers. It quickly fell into the hands of buffalo hunters and became widely used in the West. He was regarded by both lawmen and outlaws, and he frequently used his abilities as a mediator to amicably resolve problems. This early model and its immediate successors were very popular in the Republic of Texas in the 1840s, particularly with the Texas Rangers. Christian Sharps was not the biggest manufacturer of weapons in the Old West. The Boy Scout movement was founded in Great Britain in 1908 by a cavalry officer, Lieutenant General Robert S.S. (later Lord) Baden-Powell, who had written a book called Scouting for Boys (1908) but who was better known as the defender of the town of Mafeking in the South African (or Boer) War. The artillery version of this sidearm was used at the Battle of Little Big Horn. Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit) V20H2 or later; RAM: 8 GB of RAM required. James Butler Hickok lived a fast, violent life. Hickok is primarily renowned for his legendary shooting abilities, and he is said to have killed a number of men in gunfights. According to the National Park Service, because of the way the rifle was loaded, soldiers would find that bullets would jam halfway up the barrel, often resulting in blow-ups of the weapon. What is single action? 2. pg. In 1870, Captain Bourke of the 3rd Cavalry described Apache scouts in Arizona as "almost naked, their only clothing being a muslin loin-cloth, a pair of point toed moccasins and a hat of hawk feather". Hollidays friend, Wyatt Earp, had joined forces with his brother, Virgil Earp, the city marshal of Tombstone to rid the town of the outlaws, but they needed more help. He was barely 27 years old, and was thereafter elected to six more terms. "Scouts of the Plains" Come to Taunton By William F. Hanna O ne critic called it the worst show ever written, and in January 1874 it was on its way to Taunton for a one-night stand. It was not the glamorous career that Hollywood westerns make it out to be. Masterson fought in several historic shootouts, including the Battle of Adobe Walls, in which he faced a company of Comanche warriors. He was made famous for abandoning fellow fur trader Hugh Glass after Glass was attacked by a bear. He was the town marshal at the time, and he and his brothers Wyatt and Morgan faced up against a band of outlaws known as the Cowboys. I never seen sich a onsociable crowd., Bridger acted as a guide for Sir George Gore on his famous hunting trip in 1855-57, during which the party killed over 40 grizzly bears, 2,500 buffalo, and an unknown quantity of smaller game. Many of his adventures, including his desperate duel with Yellow Hand, a Cheyenne chief, have been told in the books in which he collaborated with Colonel Inman. Related read: 9 Fascinating Facts About Cherokee Bill, Ruthless Outlaw. Inman, who knew him well, thus sums up his characteristics: Carsons nature was made up of some very noble attributes. After painfully deciphering the text, the frontiersman confessed that hed be dogoned ef he swallowed everything that thar Baron Munchausen said, and thought he was a darned liar; yet he acknowledged that some of his own adventures would be equally marvelous if writ down in a book.. Buffalo Bill was of the most famous and well-known figures of the American Old West. [5] Pension files provide information not only on Indian Scouts but also about his family and others with whom he may have served or who knew him or his wife. Uneducated by the schools and ignorant of all social conventionalities, he possessed a heart overflowing with the milk of human kindness and was generous, honest, and loyal to his friends. Compiled and edited by Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated May 2022. Call 1833-807-6660. i, eliza hamilton age rating; constellations visible in florida; emotional meltdowns in adults adhd; drill team coach jobs utah. The troop served until 1897 when the enlistments of the Scouts expired and it was disbanded. Called the Paterson because it was manufactured in Paterson, New Jersey, it was much superior than the single shot side arms that had been in existence prior to it. His life and exploits have inspired countless novels, films, and television shows, and his enigma continues to intrigue people all over the world. US Army Frontier Scouts 1840-1921. In 1892 1st Lieutenant Hugh L. Scott organized Troop L of the 7th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Adventures and Tragedies on the Overland Trail, Beginning of Settlement in the American West, Struggle For Possession of the West The First Emigrants, Byways & Historic Trails Great Drives in America, Soldiers and Officers in American History, Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas Declaring Independence, Stanley, Ks Extinct but Still Here (LOK), Black Bob Reservation in Johnson County (LOK). Dr. Morgan is an emergency physician in the U.S. Army with sub-specialty certification in primary care sports medicine. In addition to serving as sheriff of Midland, he was a member of the Texas Rangers and Arizona Rangers, the chief of police for Roswell, New Mexico, a West Texas constable, a detective, and a bodyguard. Among those who have sworn this same promise are former First Ladies Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama, successful actresses such as Gwyneth . A man of education, he quickly mastered the different languages of the tribes, but to both Indians and Mexicans, he remained an unsolvable riddle and a terror. Outlaws and Peace Officers: Memoirs of Crime and Punishment in the Old West, Outlaw Tales of the Old West: Fifty True Stories of Desperados, Crooks, Criminals, and Bandits, Legends of the Wild West: True Tales of Rebels and Heroes, The Saga of Billy the Kid: The Thrilling Life of Americas Original Outlaw, True Tales and Amazing Legends of the Old West: From True West Magazine. This phrase became a mantra for manifest destineers and expansionists into the western frontier. Famous Lawmen of the Old West 1. 10. What is for sure is the zeitgeist, or spirit of the age, in which the idea of the Scouts . He was a buffalo hunter and a teamster in Illinois before becoming a cop. His place in American West history was cemented when, on August 2, 1876, Hickok was shot and killed while playing poker in a saloon in Deadwood, a town in Dakota territory. One prominent successor to the Colt Paterson was the 1851 Colt Navy Revolver. According to one source, over 720,000 of the 1873 model were produced. famous scouts of the old westthere is no substitute slogan. Thomas was involved in a number of high-profile cases, including the capture of the infamous Rufus Buck Gang and the apprehension of outlaw Bill Doolin. He was a hunter, trapper, trader, scout, and Indian fighter, and, being a born leader of men, he became head-chief of a great tribe of savages, the Crows. Although Old West history seems to remember Wyatt Earps name in connection with the shootout at the O.K. The irony is that these weapons were largely unused since the threat of using this meatgrinder of a weapon usually ceased hostilities. Born in 1847 and raised in the "Little Dixie" area of western Missouri, James and his slave-owning family maintained strong . His life had been one constant adventure, and when in congenial company, he would recount the stirring events of his career for hours. Great Britain: Osprey Publishing Ltd., 2003. One of the most notable U.S. Army Indian Scouts was Curley, a member of the Crow tribe who became a scout in April 1876 under Colonel John Gibbon. The Indians couldnt stay around there a minute, the boys kept it red-hot, so I jumped up, picked up Smith, and got safe in the wallow. Hickok was an imposing figure, a giant of a man at 6'3 . Tom Tobin was the last of these famous trappers and hunters of the old regime to pass away. The GPX route starts at Grasshopper Junction, the intersection of US93 and County Highway 125, right by the big Chloride Sign. In 1849, he joined the thousands of people migrating to California in search of gold. Corral, but Virgil Earp, In the last half of the 1800s, the bustling port town of San Francisco, which grew out of, If you are a fan of the Paramount+ series Yellowstone (and who isnt? Garrett was appointed sheriff of Lincoln County, New Mexico, in 1881, and was tasked with bringing Billy the Kid to justice. Called Texass most efficient lawman, William Davis Dave Allison was the youngest sheriff in the state when he was elected to serve the people of Midland in 1888. Taking down the infamous Billy the Kid earned Pat Garrett a notable place in Old West lore forever. Parkman wrote: He is a ruffian of the worst class; bloody and treacherous, without honor or honesty; such, at least, is the character he bears on the Great Plains. Now let us glance at the part the Kansas scouts played in this panorama of warfare. The American west featured all sorts of people from pioneers and scouts to lawmen, outlaws, gangs and gunfighters (gunslingers), to the American cowboy, and legendary pioneering women on the frontier. No man knew the mountains better unless it was Jim Bridger. Being but slightly wounded, Chapman and Dixon worked hard and fast to deepen this depression, and as soon as it was sufficiently deep to afford some cover, it was occupied, and the work continued from within. Marshal in Wyoming, and he was involved in several legendary shootouts, including the Johnson County War, which was fought between ranchers and homesteaders in Wyoming. He was also respected for his honesty and integrity, making him a popular lawman among ranchers and homesteaders alike. [2] They are also the only recorded 19th-century incident in which Indian scouts turned against the U.S. Army at Cibicue Creek in Arizona Territory. His legend began to spread when he was only 23. best lebron james cards to invest in; navage canadian tire; is festive ground turkey good. Mountain men are most associated with trapping for beaver from 1807 to the 1840s in the Rocky Mountains of the United States. He grew up amid lawlessness, where vigilante justice was commonplace. A dentist by trade, John Henry Holliday was known as Doc Holliday for most of his adult life. Known as Old Reliable, this rifle was available in multiple calibers, with the .50 being extremely popular among buffalo hunters. Yet, it could also be a boring job. Following his success in Texas, Hays traveled to Arizona and New Mexico to serve as the government appointed U.S. Indian agent. Even with the law on his side, he was subject to threats, intimidation, and attempts on his life. He was involved in numerous wars and controversies, and his role as both a hero and a villain is still debated today. Around 1850, he was born in Alabama and raised in Texas. Town sheriffs had to collect taxes, campaign for election, watch over the inmates in the town jail, and sometimes even shovel horse manure out of the streets. According to some stories, Holliday saved Earps life, which started their friendship. [8], There existed doubts as to whether Indian Scouts would remain faithful or whether they would betray the White soldiers and turn against them in conflict. Cowboy life in the Old West can best be described as nomadic: were talking true cowboys who drove, You may have watched every episode of Bonanza, died of dysentery playing Oregon Trail, and read all the, There is an indelible image of the cowboy: the wide-brimmed hat whose color hinges on ones ethical alignment., The Conestoga wagon was an icon of Western expansion, but it is often misunderstood. This gave a decisive advantage to the U.S. army over Plains tribes such as Sioux. It was not uncommon for a federal marshal to arrest a sheriff on trumped up charges. Here are some of the more well-known Old West sheriffs and the stories that made them famous. Such were Uncle John Smith, Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, James P. Beckwourth, Uncle Dick Wootton, Jim Baker, Lucian B. Maxwell, Old Bill Williams, Tom Tobin, and James Hobbs, among the old-timers; and W. F. Cody, Bill Hickok, California Joe, Dick Cherry, and Amos Chapman, of a later generation. The town was not prepared for the sudden influx of newcomers. Last of the Great Scouts is a biography of William F. Cody a.k.a Buffalo Bill, written by his sister Helen Cody Wetmore. James Butler "Wild Bill" Hickok (1837 - 1876) Wild Bill Hickok is a popular folk hero and gunslinger of the Old West. They are best known for killing two members of notorious criminal Bill Doolin's outlaw gang the "Wild Bunch" and collecting the $5,000 bounty for each. [4] Indian scouts who were officially enlisted in the army after 1866 were issued old pattern uniforms from surplus stock legally exempt from sale. To them, he appeared the most honest of all Indian traders and a man to be trusted in any emergency. The 1873 Winchester was even more popular, and the company marketed the firearm as the hyperbolic Gun that won the West.. The ensuing gunfight became one of Americas most legendary shootouts. It is from this time that the term riding shotgun originates, though it seems to have been invented long after the heyday of the Wells Fargo stages. All of its enlisted men in Troop L were Indian Scouts. He was recognized for having a good heart and frequently utilized his winnings to assist those in need. [13] Little information is currently listed on women's roles as scouts during the 19th century. Dunlay, Thomas W. Wolves for the blue soldiers: Indian scouts and auxiliaries with the United States Army, 1860-90. The civil rights activist started college at the age of 15 after skipping . qmjhl leading scorers 0. Later, he dabbled in politics, resumed his land surveying career, and earned a fortune in real estate, all while wrangling outlaws and enforcing the law. "That may come as a surprise to you, as it has . Wild Bill started his adventures as a stagecoach driver and lawman in Nebraska and Kansas. To be a cowboy, first learn to ride a horse. Before becoming a politician, Tilghman worked as a buffalo hunter, soldier, and lawman. Tireless as the Indian, knowing their traits, characteristics, and habits; reading the secrets of the Plains like an open book, careless of personal danger, and accustomed to loneliness, they remained on the skirmish line of civilization, and of many of them the fate is unknown. Why look at your leg, and sure enough, the leg was shot off just above the ankle-joint, and I had been walking on the bone dragging the foot behind me, and in the excitement, I never knew it, nor have I ever had any pain in my leg to this day.'. James Butler Hickok is one of the most famous gunmen of the Old West. Related Reading: 200+ Powerful Slogans about Freedom and Loving America. Bill Tilghman was an Old West lawman, gunfighter, and politician. During this life of constant peril and exposure, one of his most heroic acts occurred while he was bearing dispatches for General Miles from his camp on McClellan Creek to Camp Supply, I. T. The dispatching party consisted of six men. No single gun won the West, but these 10 firearms certainly carved a niche in its history. So iconic is the Colt Single Action army that one given to President Theodore Roosevelt as a birthday present fetched $1,466,250 at auction to an anonymous buyer. Carol Denning, Amazon review. The Scouts were active in the American West in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. One of the outlaws, Curly Bill, was shot and killed. Masterson was a flamboyant character known for his elegant attire, attractive appearance, and quick wit. Thus passed away the most famous frontiersman of the Great Plains. Before becoming a cop, Smith worked as a cowboy and a miner. Frontier Scout, by T. De Thulstrup, 1885. In 1838, Reeves was born into slavery in Arkansas and later fled to Indian Territory, where he became a cowboy and lawman. Source: Wikimedia Commons Anybody familiar with 1950s Westerns would be familiar with the Colt Single Action Army Revolver, A.K.A. sublease apartment charlotte, nc; small plate restaurants las vegas Earp is well known for his role in the infamous shootout at the O.K. Explore some of the legends of the Old West. 1. Oliver Winchester designed the first repeating rifle in 1866, known as Yellow Boy for its yellow gunmetal casing. Indians finally killed him. It is still used today in modern-day competitive cowboy shooting events. Canton was charged with heading a gang of shooters who attacked a group of homesteaders, but he was acquitted. A former land surveyor, soldier, and Texas Ranger, John Coffee Hays, nicknamed Captain Jack, earned a reputation as a tough and rugged lawman. Native Americans also fought on both sides during the American Civil War, as well as military missions abroad including the most notable, the Codetalkers who served in World War II. Before becoming a cop, Thomas worked as a cowboy and a farmer. He was full of caution but showed a coolness in the moment of supreme danger that was good to witness.. These men have won fame that will endure in the history of the Plains. They earned a reputation for being able to track escaping outlaws, even through inhospitable terrain and harsh weather conditions. As a trader, he was a total failure, and many of his companions considered him partially insane, although a brave, warm-hearted, and generous man.