The legendary American Old West was a crucible of lawlessness and legend, where figures emerged from the shadows to carve their names into history, often with a six-shooter or a cunning plan. Among these fabled characters are the lesser-known but equally significant Old West outlaws whose surnames begin with the letter ‘O’. From notorious train robbers to loyal gang members and even those entangled in violent range wars, these individuals played their part in the untamed frontier, leaving behind legacies of crime, daring escapes, and often, violent ends. This comprehensive look delves into the lives and escapades of these fascinating ‘O’ outlaws, exploring their impact on the era and the enduring myths of frontier justice.
The Wild Bunch and Notorious Associates
Tom O’Day, The Wild Bunch Safecracker
Known by aliases such as Peep, Court Jester, and Joe Chancellor, Tom O’Day was a formidable safecracker and an astute poker player who found his calling within the ranks of the infamous Wild Bunch. His criminal career intersected with legends like Kid Curry, George Curry, and the Sundance Kid, notably participating in the audacious bank robbery in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. O’Day’s knack for getting into trouble seemed inexhaustible; on November 23, 1903, he was apprehended with a herd of stolen horses near Casper, Wyoming. This particular transgression landed him in prison for horse theft, from which he was eventually released on June 1, 1908. Choosing a path less traveled for an outlaw, O’Day reportedly settled down, married, and even gained a measure of local celebrity at a saloon in Deadwood, South Dakota. While the exact date remains a mystery, it is believed he passed away in South Dakota around 1930, finding his final resting place, unmarked, in the O’Day plot at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Dunlap, Iowa. His story embodies the complex transition many outlaws attempted from a life of crime to one of relative normalcy.
Thomas “Big Foot” O’Folliard, Billy the Kid’s Confidant
Born in 1858, Thomas “Big Foot” O’Folliard carved his niche in the tumultuous landscape of the Old West as an outlaw cattle rustler and a staunch friend to the legendary Billy the Kid. His loyalty and prowess quickly earned him the position of second-in-command within Billy the Kid’s Gang. O’Folliard was deeply entwined in the Lincoln County War, a violent feud that tore through New Mexico, solidifying his reputation as a ruthless and dedicated member of the Kid’s faction. His life of crime, however, was tragically cut short in 1880 when he was killed by Pat Garrett’s posse. His death marked one of the first significant blows to Billy the Kid’s gang, setting the stage for the eventual downfall of the young outlaw king. O’Folliard remains a poignant figure, representing the fierce loyalties and brutal realities of gang life in the frontier.
Ike Ogg, Oklahoma Outlaw
Hailing from Oklahoma, Ike Ogg was another outlaw who rode with notorious figures of his time. He was an associate of Al Spencer and Jelly Nash, individuals who contributed to Oklahoma’s reputation as a haven for lawbreakers. While less is documented about Ogg’s individual exploits, his association with such gangs suggests a life steeped in robbery, cattle rustling, and evading the long arm of the law. The landscape of Oklahoma, with its vast, untamed territories, provided ample opportunities for men like Ogg to operate, though their careers were often fraught with danger and brief, violent ends.
Frontier Justice and Bloody Consequences
Albert O’Dell, A Grim Fate in Fort Smith
The story of Albert O’Dell, an Oklahoma outlaw, is a grim reminder of the harsh justice meted out on the frontier. In a particularly sordid episode, O’Dell, alongside James Lamb, committed the murders of Edward Pollard and George Brassfield. The motive behind these heinous acts was a dark entanglement of deceit and betrayal: Pollard and Brassfield were the husbands of O’Dell and Lamb’s respective mistresses, both of whom were pregnant by their outlaw paramours. Their crimes led them to the infamous courthouse of Fort Smith, Arkansas, under the stern jurisdiction of “Hanging Judge” Isaac Parker. On January 14, 1887, O’Dell and Lamb met their fate on the gallows, a stark testament to the unforgiving nature of justice in the American West. Their tale serves as a somber illustration of how personal transgressions often intertwined with capital offenses, leading to irreversible consequences.
Alvin and William Odle, Texas Rangers’ Prey
The brothers Alvin and William Odle were Texas outlaws whose criminal careers peaked with a dramatic escape from the Burnet jail in 1889. Following their breakout, the pair fled south to Mexico, seeking refuge from Texas law. However, their freedom was short-lived. They were eventually tracked down in Edwards County, Texas, by legendary Texas Rangers, including the formidable Bass Outlaw and John Hughes. The encounter proved fatal for both brothers, as they were killed by the Rangers. The Odle brothers’ story underscores the relentless pursuit of justice by the highly effective Texas Rangers, a force renowned for its tenacity and skill in tracking down desperadoes, even across international borders. Their capture and demise highlight the dangerous and often fatal dance between outlaws and lawmen in the heart of Texas.
Edward O’Kelley, The Avenging Gunman
Born in 1858, Edward O’Kelley earned his place in Old West history through a single, defining act of vengeance. On June 8, 1892, in Creede, Colorado, O’Kelley walked into Robert Ford’s saloon and shot him dead. Robert Ford was, of course, the man who famously murdered Jesse James, a folk hero to many, including seemingly O’Kelley. This act, often viewed as a form of frontier justice or retribution for James’s betrayal, sent O’Kelley to prison. After serving eight years, he was released, only to meet his own end in 1904, killed by a lawman in Oklahoma City. O’Kelley’s life is a complex narrative of crime, retribution, and the cyclical violence that characterized the era. His actions reflect the deeply personal and often bloody nature of justice as it was interpreted by individuals in the absence of consistent law enforcement.
Outlaws and Lawmen: The Lingering Conflict
Jake Owens and the Lincoln County War
Jake Owens’ journey through the Old West began as an employee of the Murphy-Dolan faction, a key player in New Mexico’s brutal Lincoln County War. This bloody conflict, ostensibly a dispute over economic control, devolved into widespread violence and murder. After the war’s official end, Owens pivoted, joining Selman’s Scouts, a vicious gang notorious for terrorizing the very county they were supposed to be
