The American Wild West outlaws, a captivating cast of characters, continue to intrigue historians and enthusiasts alike. Among the most compelling are those individuals whose names begin with the letter ‘M’, each leaving a unique, often violent, mark on the frontier. This comprehensive overview delves into the lives and legends of these outlaws M, exploring their deeds, their downfalls, and their lasting legacies.
The Dual Lives: Lawmen and Lawbreakers
The blurred lines between justice and crime were a hallmark of the Old West, with some figures straddling both sides of the law. One such prominent figure was Dave H. Mather, famously known as Mysterious Dave (1851-1930?). Mather served as a Marshal in Dodge City, Kansas, and El Paso, Texas, and even as a U.S. Deputy Marshal in New Mexico. Yet, he also associated with the lawless Dodge City Gang and faced suspicions of cattle and horse rustling, embodying the complex morality of the era.
Similarly, Sherman W. McMasters (1853-??) began his career as an outlaw before transitioning into a lawman. His most notable involvement on the side of the law was as one of the six men participating in the Earp Vendetta Ride, a pursuit for revenge following the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The circumstances surrounding McMasters’ death remain a mystery, adding to his enigmatic reputation.
Another individual who carved a path through both legal and illegal activities was James McIntire (1846-1902). A Texan gunman and lawman from 1860, McIntire served as a Texas Ranger, city marshal, and deputy sheriff. Despite his law enforcement roles, he also carried a $1,000 reward for the deaths of two men near Silver City, New Mexico, marking him as a true frontier paradox.
Notorious Gangs and Their ‘M’ Members
Many ‘M’ outlaws operated within the structure of notorious gangs, amplifying their impact on the frontier. The McCarty Gang, which included brothers Tom and Bill McCarty, along with brother-in-law Matt Warner, was a significant force in Western banditry. Tom McCarty (1855-1900?) is even credited with introducing Butch Cassidy to the outlaw life. Their exploits included bank robberies in Washington and Colorado, the latter leading to a violent confrontation where Tom shot a cashier and his brother Bill and nephew Fred were killed. Tom eventually escaped, settling as a sheepherder in Montana, where he reportedly died in a gunfight around 1900.
New Mexico’s infamous Vicente Silva’s White Caps Gang included several ‘M’ members: Patricio Maes, Zenon Maes, German (Herman) Maestas, and Manuel Maldonado. Patricio Maes met a grim end, hanged by his own gang as a suspected traitor in October 1892. German Maestas was later hanged for killing his common-law wife and her lover, showcasing the internal violence that often plagued such criminal organizations.
Other gangs also featured ‘M’ outlaws. John W. Mackey, known as Buttermilk John, was a member of the Christian Gang in Oklahoma, captured shortly after the killing of Deputy Sheriff W.C. Turner. Tomas Madril (18??-1875) belonged to the Mes Gang, rival to the John Kinney Gang in New Mexico, ultimately ambushed and killed by their adversaries. Arthur C. McCoy (1825-1880?), a former Confederate captain and suspected spy during the Civil War, became involved with the James-Younger Gang after the war, allegedly participating in robberies and the killing of a Pinkerton Agent. Similarly, William “Bud” McDaniels, a former Quantrill’s Raider, also rode with the James Gang. The Sam Bass Gang included Robert McKemie, known as Little Reddie, operating in the Dakotas in the 1870s. The Doolin Gang was associated with the young outlaw Annie McDougal (or McDoulet), also known as Cattle Annie, who was suspected of livestock theft and selling whiskey before her capture. Irving McManus rode with the Black Jack Ketchum gang in the 1890s.
Infamous Encounters and Violent Ends
Some ‘M’ outlaws gained notoriety through specific, often deadly, encounters. John McCall, also known as Jack or Broken Nose Jack, etched his name in history by assassinating the legendary Bill Hickok on August 2, 1876, in Deadwood. McCall was subsequently hanged for the murder in 1877, a swift retribution for one of the most shocking killings in the Old West.
The events at Rock Creek Station on the Oregon Trail brought notoriety to David C. McCanles (18??-1861). While his “outlaw” status is debated, Bill Hickok’s account branded him a ruthless killer and leader of the McCanles Gang, a narrative that propelled Hickok’s own legend. McCanles and at least two other men were shot and killed by Hickok during a dispute in July 1861, an incident forever known as the McCanles Massacre.
The iconic Gunfight at the O.K. Corral claimed the lives of brothers Frank McLaury (1848-1881) and Tom McLaury (1853-1881). As members of the Clanton Gang, they were among the three cowboys killed by the Earp brothers and Doc Holliday on October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona, a moment forever immortalized in Western lore.
Clarence L. “Gunplay” Maxwell (1860?-1909), also known by aliases such as James Bliss, was a notorious bank and stagecoach robber and gunfighter. His violent career ended when he was killed by Deputy Sheriff Edward Johnstone in Price City, Utah, in August 1909.
Lesser-Known Yet Equally Dangerous Figures
Beyond the celebrated names and gangs, many other ‘M’ outlaws contributed to the volatile nature of the American frontier. Cat Mace, a gambler from Texas, was wanted for killing two men before Jim McClease killed him in Colorado in the 1890s. Juanito Maes was a horse thief operating around Boquilla, New Mexico. In Indian Territory, a Cherokee man named Smoker Mankiller was hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 1875 for shooting and killing his neighbor.
Brothers Abler and Amos Manley committed a horrific act in Oklahoma, killing a farmer who had offered them shelter and mutilating his hired man before being hanged at Fort Smith in 1881. Robert Massey (18??-1883) murdered Edmond Clark during a cattle drive, stealing his possessions and the sale proceeds, leading to his hanging at Fort Smith in 1883.
The infamous Natchez Trace highwaymen included Samuel “Wolfman” Mason, a former militia captain during the American Revolution who later became a pirate on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Other dangerous individuals included “One-Legged Jim” McCoy, who killed Sheriff Charles McKinney in Texas and was hanged in 1887, and John McDaniel (18??-1844), a soldier for the Texas Republic who plundered Mexican wagon trains on the Santa Fe Trail before being hanged in St. Louis, Missouri. John Mahoney was part of a gang that killed Jock Harriman in New Mexico in 1883. William Martin, also known as Wild Bill Jones, an outlaw in Lincoln County, New Mexico, was killed by John Perry in 1887. J. McDaniels was an outlaw member of the Pitts-Yeager Gang, killed in Texas in 1884. J. McDonald, a gunman, shot and killed his friend Robert Taylor in Clayton, New Mexico, in 1890. Walter McDonald shot Thomas Richards in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, in 1884. “Three-Fingered Jack” McDowell (18??-1864) led a violent gang and was lynched in Aurora, Nevada, in 1864. Orpheus McGee (18??-1876) and Patrick McGowen were both hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, for murder in separate incidents in 1876 and 1881 respectively, showcasing the strict justice often meted out on the frontier. Amos McIntosh was said to have killed U.S. Deputy Marshal Lee Atkins. William J. McGrew, initially a hero, turned into a scalawag, as told by author Sue Moore. M. “Red” McLaughlin was an outlaw robber who escaped jail in Springer, New Mexico, in 1884. Lastly, Bill McNew, an accused rustler and gunman, was involved in the Lee-Good feud in Tularosa, New Mexico.
This extensive list of Wild West outlaws whose names begin with ‘M’ illustrates the diverse range of criminal activities and personal stories that defined the American frontier. From vengeful killings and daring robberies to the complex interplay between law and lawlessness, these individuals – some legendary, some nearly forgotten – collectively form a vital part of the Old West’s dramatic narrative. Their tales serve as a potent reminder of an era when individual actions often had life-or-death consequences, shaping the legends we remember today.
