12 Legends of the Old West: How Did They Really Die?

Sunset duels horseback chases and showdowns between sheriffs and outlaws are iconic images that fill the imagination of the American Wild West these characters ranging from Heroes to villains starred in stories intertwined with the legend and reality of that wild era while some of these figures met dramatic and legendary ends fitting the tales they inspired others had more mundane outcomes reflecting the hardships and tough life in the vast challenging territories of the American West William Buffalo Bill Cody a wild west entertainment icon with his Traveling Show passed away on January 10th 1917 during a visit to

his sister in Denver from kidney failure Cody was a legendary figure who had expressed in his lifetime the wish to be buried on Lookout Mountain in Colorado known for its spectacular views however access to his chosen burial site was blocked by snow that harsh winter to fulfill his last wish the funer eneral home had to preserve his body for 6 months during which time it needed to be embalmed repeatedly during this waiting period a controversy arose some argued he should be buried in Cody Wyoming the town he helped found and which was mentioned in a

previous will despite the debates Buffalo Bill was laid to rest on Lookout Mountain as he had desired there are conspiracy theories suggesting that Buffalo Bill's remains didn't stay in Colorado but were secretly moved to Wyoming Bat Masterson was a man of action a skilled Gunslinger and a respected Sheriff thanks in part to the influence of his friend Wyatt her her was key in persuading Masterson to take part in the turbulent governance of Dodge City Kansas a place already patrolled by his brothers and law enforcement his days as Sheriff were a mix of Triumph and sorrow

marked notably by the painful episode of his brother Ed's murder while on duty by the age of 49 tired of the dangers and dis order of the West Masterson longed for tranquility so he and his wife decided to move to New York in search of Peace there Masterson swapped his gun for a pen becoming a respected newspaper journalist and also serving as a US Marshal however his final chapter was written abruptly on October 25th 1921 while finishing his last column for a morning paper Masterson died of a heart attack at 67 seated at his desk

Wyatt her though not widely known during his 19th century lifetime became a legendary figure after his death especially thanks to a biography that depicted his daring Adventures like the famous shootout at the OK Corral toward the end of his life her moved to Los Angeles where he integrated into the budding world of Cinema serving as an unpaid consultant for western movies he made friends with film icons like Tom Mix and William Hart who ended up as Paul bearers at his funeral when her passed away in 1929 during the funeral Tom Mix couldn't hold back his

tears a scene that captured the Deep connection and respect between the movie stars and this Titan of the old west John Henry Doc Holiday initially a dentist in Texas saw his life take an unexpected turn due to his passion for card games this interest led him to mingle with iconic figures of the old west like Wyatt her getting involved in shootouts and increasingly delving into the world of alcohol and Gam L unfortunately these habits exacerbated his tuberculosis a disease that was already undermining his health seeking relief holiday moved to a sanatorium in Glenwood Springs Colorado

where in 1887 at the age of 36 he passed away leaving behind a legacy marked as much by gunfights as by cards on the table Annie Oakley the iconic Sharpshooter who made history as a role model for young women worldwide was born Annie mosy by her teens at age 16 she already displayed remarkable shooting skills which would spectacularly put her on the map during an unlikely competition that defined the course of her life during a visit to her sister's home a local inkeeper recognizing her Talent organized a shooting match her opponent was none other than

Frank Butler a professional exhibition shooter known for his Precision the competition involved hitting as many targets as possible out of a series of 25 while Frank impressed Everyone by hitting 24 Annie exceeded expectations and hit all 25 targets securing not just the victory but also Frank's heart the attraction was mutual and the couple married shortly thereafter beginning a journey together that would last nearly 50 years during this time Annie Oakley joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West show where she became a legendary Sharpshooter touring extensively and captivating audiences everywhere despite her successful career and adventurous life Annie's

Journey was tragically cut short by anemia the disease that led to her death Frank deeply affected by the loss of his wife and longtime companion succumbed 18 days after Annie's death possibly from the devastating impact of a broken heart the couple was buried side by side in a gesture symbolizing their Inseparable bond in the Oakley Family Cemetery leaving behind a Legacy of Love skill and pioneering spirit that continues to inspire many around the world Billy the Kid a young Outlaw known for his brief and violent life met his end at the hands of Sheriff Pat

Garrett by the age of 18 Billy was already linked to about 17 homicides and was constantly on the run from the law the chase between him and Garrett was intense and full of twists Garrett finally captured Billy who was tried and sentenced to death by hanging however just before his scheduled execution in 188 81 Billy spectacularly escaped leaving two guards dead during his breakout his freedom was short-lived after 3 months on the Run Garrett received a tip about Billy's whereabouts with caution and strategy Garrett stormed Billy's dark Hideout at the Maxwell ranch in New Mexico

hidden in the shadows he waited for the young Outlaw's arrival when Billy showed up he had no chance to react Garrett shot him ending his life like many figures of the old West Billy the Kid's death has sparked much speculation and conspiracy theories perpetuating his legacy in American history daav Crockett nicknamed King of the Wild Frontier is an iconic figure in American history but the end of his life is shrouded in mystery and debate known for his roles as a Pioneer congressman and Storyteller Crockett stood out for his participation in the Battle of the Alamo

in 1836 he fought bravely alongside about 200 men against against a much larger Mexican Army in a siege that lasted 13 days accounts of how Crockett died on that fateful morning of March 6th continued to divide opinions the most accepted version is that he fell in battle during the conflict showing great heroism however there are alternative accounts suggesting that Crockett and five other soldiers were captured and promised clemency but were executed contrary to the promises made these Divergent narratives fuel the controversy that still surrounds the final moments of his life Jesse James the infamous Outlaw

of the old west met his end in a tragic and unexpected way after a turbulent period of numerous heists and escapes he was hiding out with his brother Frank over time Frank decided to abandon the criminal path and Lead an honest life leaving Jesse vulnerable and forced to recruit new members for his gang among the new recruits were the Ford Brothers Bob and Charlie who had their own agenda the governor of Missouri Thomas Crittenden exasperated by Jesse's continual criminal acts had offered a $10,000 reward for his capture enticed by the promise of money and a

possible pardon the Ford Brothers concocted a treacherous plan on a hot day while Jesse was at home relaxing without his coat and guns Bob Ford seized the moment of vulnerability without hesitation he shot Jesse in the back of the head ending the career of the notorious criminal this act not not only secured the reward for the Ford Brothers but also marked a decisive point in the pursuit of Outlaws in the old west Jesse James's death quickly captured the nation's attention far from trying to hide their involvement the Ford Brothers openly took responsibility for the ACT

Robert Ford wasted no time in sending a telegram to the governor claiming the promised reward curious onlookers and admirers of the legendary Outlaw gathered in droves at the modest residence in St Joseph eager for one last look at Jesse James now a fallen Bandit Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid immortalized on screen by Paul Newman and Robert Redford had lives as dramatic as the characters they portrayed leading the infamous Wild Bunch Cassidy orchestrated heists that average $35,000 always escaping thanks to his meticulous planning tired of The Fugitive life the two decided to start over in

South America there kept a low profile until a supposed payroll robbery in Bolivia put them on the radar of local troops in a subsequent confrontation Sundance was wounded that night a Duo of gunshots rang out and the men's bodies were found with head shots Sundance with one between the eyes and Cassidy with an apparent suicide to the temple the Mystique surrounding their deaths sparked heated debates and theories that one or both might have survived claims emerged such as one from a man named William Henry long who allegedly lived in Duzen Utah under the identity of

Sundance when long died in 1936 his body was exhumed in 2008 for DNA testing but analyses conducted by Anthropologist John McCulla revealed they did not match the DNA of a distant relative of Sundance Kid leaving the mystery still Bell star better known for her associations with criminals than for direct criminal acts led a life filled with controversy and tragedy convicted once for horse theft which resulted in a 9-month prison sentence Belle never again had run-ins with the law although she continued to associate with Outlaws and figures of questionable reputation including two husbands who met their

ends in shootouts Bell also had ties with the infamous James younger gang her life came to a sudden and violent end on February 3rd 1889 2 days before her 41st birthday returning home after visiting a neighbor Belle was ambushed knocked off her horse she was shot multiple times to ensure her death with bullets hitting her back neck shoulder and face the mystery of who killed her remains with various theories circulating including one that suggests her own son Ed was involved in the crime her tragic death is one of the many Unsolved Mysteries of the old

west Wild Bill Hickok a name that became legendary in the old west initially gained Fame when his story of killing three men was featured in a magazine establishing him as a feared Sharpshooter over time he participated in various gunfights until a tragic incident where he accidentally killed his own Deputy led him to withdraw from these confrontations gradually his star began to fade and he found himself in hard times on a gloomy day in Deadwood South Dakota while playing cards in a saloon his luck finally ran out seated with his back to the door he didn't

see Jack McCall a young gun Slinger approach a shot to the back of the head ended Wild Bill's Life In His Hands he held a combination of cards that would become infamous A Pair of Aces and eights since then known as the dead man's hand Calamity Jane a legendary figure of the old west had a life as tumultuous as her nickname suggests known for her skill and bravery Jane often dressed as a man to work with the Pony Express and according to rumors even turned to prostitution to survive her prowess as a horseback shooter did

not go unnoticed and she soon became one of the main attractions in Buffalo Bills show where her Fame only grew however stardom came with its excesses Jane was known for her affinity for drinking which eventually evolved into a severe alcoholism problem that haunted her until her death at 51 she was buried at Mount Mariah semetery in South Dakota next to Bill Hickok an ironic Choice as despite Hickok never showing much affection for her in life four of the men responsible for her funeral decided to unite them in eternity as a final prank on hicock if

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