Lesser Known Wild West Outlaws Quiz

Answer: Sam Bass

His first robbery was of the Union Pacific Railway to the tune of $60,000. After that, his gang never managed more than $500 at a time.

Answer: William "Curly Bill" Brocius

His body was not found. His partners allegedly collected his body directly after he was 'killed' by Wyatt Earp, and buried him. Despite two newspapers putting up a combined sum of $3,000 to prove he was alive, the rewards were never collected.

Answer: Henry Newton Brown

Once he fought alongside Billy the Kid with the Regulators but eventually teamed with former outlaw Ben Wheeler and brought justice to Caldwell, Kansas as a lawman. He was an esteemed resident of the town and married into a respected family as well. Eventually he and Wheeler were bored and they teamed up with some others to rob a bank in a nearby town.

They were caught and jailed there. Attempting escape, Brown was nearly cut in half as he was gunned down. The other three outlaws were hanged.

Answer: Jack McCall

Jack McCall shot and killed Hickok in 1876 and then had his life ended at the end of a rope in 1877. He was only 25 at the time. He claimed Hickok killed his brother in Abilene, but it was believed the killing was in retribution for Hickok taking all of his money the night before in a poker game. Since then holding a pair of aces and a pair of eights in your hand is bad luck and known as the 'dead man's hand'.

Answer: Boone "The Kentucky Cannibal" Helm

An unbelievable story once you've read it. Married young, Helm was an abusive drunk, and his wife filed for divorce. Helm headed for California killing a cousin, Littlebury Shoot, who did not want to join him before leaving. He killed 6 more men on the journey before teaming up with 6 other men bragging he had committed cannibalism along the way. That party died out as the journey got tough and he teamed with a man who helped him get to Salt Lake City where he killed and ran once again.

He was captured by the Blackfoot Tribe and killed one of them before escaping.

He took the leg of a brave with him to sustain him later. He killed several more times before teaming with Henry Plummers gang and was captured along with them. He was tried and convicted despite accusing Garner and others of his own crimes.

He was hanged along with them on January 14, 1864.

Answer: Nathaniel Reed

Apparently nicknames aren't always apparent. Root was a partner of Reed's, Ledbetter was the one that wounded him putting his career at an end and Parker is the 'Hanging Judge' that promised immunity but prosecuted him anyway. Reed passed away in 1950 at the age of 87.

Answer: Reno (Will, Sim, Frank)

In a bit of irony, when three members of the Reno gang were captured the train carrying them was boarded and the outlaws were hanged on a nearby tree. Five days later, the train was again boarded when three more were captured and they were subsequently dragged out and hanged near the same tree. Six months later, after escaping to Windsor, Ontario, Canada, the last four, including Will, Sim and Frank Reno were extradited to New Albany, Indiana.

A lynch mob of 65 vigilantes rode the train to the Floyd County jail and dragged out the four and hanged them as well, thus ending the Reno Brothers' trail of crime.

Answer: Tom Horn

Tom Horn led an extremely colourful life. He helped to capture Geronimo during the Apache wars. He helped to capture criminals during his time working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. After a stint in the Spanish-American War he returned to Cheyenne, Wyoming and became involved in a Cattle and Sheep herder war.

The 14 year old son of a sheep rancher was killed and a corrupt investigation pointed a finger at Horn. He was executed by the newly created automated gallows. A recreation of the trial in 1993 exonnerated Horn.

Answer: Frank Stilwell

If you have seen the movie or know the OK Corral story, then you will have heard Frank Stilwell's name. He and Ike Clanton went to the Tucson train station to assassinate Virgil Earp when they were confronted by Earp and his posse. Morgan had already been murdered by Stilwell, and Wyatt was taking revenge.

Answer: Belle Starr

Although Sam Starr died in a gunfight with the police, Belle continued to plan robberies, fenced loot and harboured fugitives. When she became involved with more and more unseemly characters, someone ambushed her on the road and she died of multiple shotgun and pistol wounds. Suspects included her new husband, sharecroppers, her children and various criminals. No one was ever convicted of her killing.