Unmasking the 'D' List: Legendary Old West Outlaws Whose Names Began with 'D'

Delve into the shadowy world of the American frontier and discover the captivating stories of Old West outlaws whose notorious deeds shaped history. This comprehensive list illuminates the lives of desperadoes, rustlers, and ruthless individuals whose names began with ‘D’, offering a glimpse into the raw, often brutal, reality of the 19th-century American West. From infamous gang members to lone wolves, these figures left an indelible mark on the era, becoming legends or cautionary tales.

Many of these Old West outlaws were driven by desperation, greed, or a thirst for adventure, engaging in acts that ranged from petty theft to cold-blooded murder. Their narratives are interwoven with the fabric of frontier justice, often ending in a hail of bullets or the hangman’s noose. Join us as we explore the dark side of the West, one daring individual at a time.

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The Notorious Dalton Dynasty and Their Connections

The name Dalton is synonymous with outlawry in the Old West, and several family members contributed to this infamous legacy.

The Dalton Brothers and Their Kin

Christopher “Kit” Dalton (18??-1920): A lesser-known but equally adventurous figure, Kit Dalton, a second cousin to the notorious Dalton brothers, carved his own path of crime. He was active along the North-South border during the tumultuous Civil War, engaging in robberies and looting. Kit notably claimed to have ridden with both the legendary James and Bass Gangs, adding another layer to his enigmatic reputation before his death in 1920.
Emmett Dalton (1871-1937): A key member of the infamous Dalton Gang, Emmett Dalton was remarkably the sole survivor of their ill-fated raid on Coffeyville, Kansas. Despite being severely wounded during the attempt to rescue his brother Bob, he was captured and served over fourteen years in prison. Following his release, Emmett relocated to Hollywood, California, where he penned a revealing book about the Dalton Gang, offering a unique firsthand account of their exploits and downfall.
Grattan “Grat” Dalton (1865-1892): Grat Dalton initially served as a Kansas deputy marshal, a career path that ironically placed him on the opposite side of the law he would later embrace. He soon abandoned his badge to join his brothers, forming the notorious Dalton Gang, which specialized in robbing banks and trains. His life of crime met a violent end during the disastrous Coffeyville, Kansas bank robbery attempt on October 5, 1892, where he was killed.
Robert “Bob” Dalton (1868-1892): Like his brother Grat, Bob Dalton began his career as a lawman before succumbing to the allure of outlawry. He was the driving force behind the formation of the Dalton Gang in 1891, quickly establishing them as one of the most feared criminal outfits of the era. Bob’s reign as a gang leader also concluded fatally during the devastating Coffeyville, Kansas bank robbery attempt on October 5, 1892, where he was gunned down.
William “Bill” Dalton (1866-1894): A surprising deviation from the typical outlaw trajectory, Bill Dalton served in the California legislature before turning to a life of crime. After the deaths of his brothers, he joined forces with Bill Doolin, eventually becoming a leader of the formidable Doolin-Dalton Gang. His outlaw career was cut short when he was killed by lawmen on June 8, 1894.
J. Frank Dalton, aka Happy Jack: This outlaw gained notoriety for horse theft in Limestone County, Texas, in 1886. However, J. Frank Dalton is perhaps most famous for his later and unverified claim that he was none other than the legendary Jesse James, a declaration that sparked considerable debate and speculation.

Desperadoes of the Diverse Frontier

Beyond the Daltons, a host of other individuals with names starting with ‘D’ contributed to the wild history of the American frontier, ranging from regional terrors to infamous gang members.

John Daly (1839-1864): Known as a vicious thug, John Daly, alongside his partner “Three-Fingered Jack” McDowell, operated a saloon in the mining camp of Aurora, Nevada. Together, they terrorized the town’s citizens, preying on the vulnerable in this lawless mining community.
Boston Damewood: A California outlaw and highwayman, Damewood met a swift and brutal end, lynched by a mob of 200 angry citizens in Los Angeles. His fate highlights the swift and often unforgiving nature of frontier justice.
Bill Daniels: This ruthless outlaw led a gang responsible for robbing the Tucumcari, New Mexico bank. During their escape, Daniels’ gang tragically shot a boy who was attempting to surrender with his hands raised, demonstrating their brutal disregard for life.
Pancho Daniel (18??-1858): A prominent figure in California’s outlaw history, Pancho Daniel, along with Juan Flores, co-led the infamous Flores-Daniels Gang. They conducted numerous raids across southern California during the mid-1850s, striking fear into communities until Daniel was eventually captured and hanged for his crimes on November 30, 1858.

Rustlers, Robbers, and Renegades: From Arkansas to Arizona

The vast expanse of the West offered countless opportunities for illicit activities, attracting figures like rustlers and diverse criminals.

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Isom Dart, aka Ned Huddleston (1849-1900): Born into slavery in Arkansas, Isom Dart’s journey led him through Texas and into Colorado, where he became a prolific cattle rustler. His career as an outlaw ended violently when he was shot dead on October 3, 1900, by the infamous bounty hunter Tom Horn.
Emmet R. Daugherty: The nephew of the notorious Henry Starr, Daugherty followed in his uncle’s footsteps, finding himself embroiled in serious legal trouble after an attempted murder in Oklahoma.
Roy Daugherty “Arkansas Tom Jones” (1871-1924): A significant member of the Doolin-Dalton Gang, Daugherty earned his moniker after his capture at Ingalls, Oklahoma. He served seventeen years in prison, but upon his release, he stubbornly returned to a life of crime, which ultimately led to his death at the hands of law officers on August 16, 1924.
Jim Davenport: A Texas outlaw and cowboy, Davenport was accused of killing Elk Hereford. When Texas Rangers attempted to apprehend him in Cotulla, Texas, in 1899, he fiercely resisted arrest and was killed in the ensuing confrontation.
Andrew Jackson “Big Jack” Davis (??-1877): A career criminal specializing in stagecoach and train robberies, Big Jack Davis met his end in Nevada. He was killed by a Wells-Fargo shotgun messenger while attempting to rob a stagecoach, a testament to the risks involved in confronting well-armed guards.
Frog Davis: This outlaw achieved infamy for killing Sheriff Jim Musgrove in the Cherokee Nation of Indian Territory. He was subsequently convicted and hanged for the crime, facing the full extent of frontier law.
Jack Davis (1845?-1879?): A close associate of Bill Longley, Jack Davis was involved in train robberies alongside legendary figures like Sam Bass and Joel Collins, making him a notable figure in Texas outlaw history.
John Davis (18??-1884): John Davis was responsible for the murder of a boy named William Bullock in Brownswood, Texas. Arrested by the relentless Heck Thomas, he was convicted and hanged at Fort Smith, Arkansas, on July 11, 1884.
Lewis Davis (18??-1896): A Creek Indian outlaw and member of the brutal Rufus Buck Gang, Lewis Davis was involved in a spree of heinous crimes. He was hanged on July 1, 1896, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, after being convicted of murder, robbery, and rape.
Lucky Davis (18??-1896): Also a Creek Indian outlaw and member of the Rufus Buck Gang, Lucky Davis shared the same grim fate as Lewis Davis, being hanged on July 1, 1896, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, for murder, robbery, and rape.
Curtis Dayson: An outlaw member of the Cook Gang operating in Indian Territory, Dayson was captured after participating in a bank robbery, marking the end of his criminal career.

Outlaws and the Law: Collisions on the Frontier

The stories of these Old West outlaws frequently involve clashes with law enforcement, leading to dramatic captures and violent ends.

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Pony Deal (or Diehl): A chameleon-like figure, Pony Deal was a former member of the John Kinney Gang before joining the Jesse Evans Gang during New Mexico’s violent Lincoln County War. He then drifted to Arizona, becoming part of the notorious Clanton Cowboys. Deal was pursued by Wyatt Earp during the Earp Vendetta Ride but managed to evade capture. He controversially claimed to have killed John O’Rourke in 1882, alleging O’Rourke was responsible for the death of his friend, Johnny Ringo.
Ollie “Big Nose George” Deetz (1850-1889): Initially appointed marshal of Manhattan, Colorado, in 1887, Deetz was tasked with cleaning up the lawless gold mining camp. He embraced this role with alarming zeal, allegedly killing three men on his first night and planting evidence to justify hangings. After moving to Wyoming, he was accused of bank robbery and subsequently lynched at Rock Creek on October 5, 1889.
William E. Delaney, aka: Bill Johnson; Morman Bill (1856-1884): Suspected of murder in Pennsylvania, Delaney fled west and joined an outlaw gang in Arizona. His flight from justice ended when he was captured by Deputy Ben Daniels and hanged in Tombstone in March 1884.
Tom Deloach: In September 1885, Deloach gained infamy for shooting and killing Joe Holland outside of El Paso, Texas, an act that solidified his place among the era’s violent figures.
Dan Demmons: Demmons led a prominent outlaw gang that terrorized parts of Texas and New Mexico during the 1870s. His criminal enterprise eventually ended with his capture in 1880.
Boyd Dempster: A New Mexico outlaw, Dempster met his demise in Georgetown, New Mexico, on December 26, 1881, when he was shot and killed by Deputy Sheriff Glasgow.
Patas de Rana, aka: El Coyote: A member of Vicente Silva’s ruthless White Caps Gang in Las Vegas, New Mexico, Patas de Rana was ultimately ordered by the gang to kill Silva on May 19, 1895. This act contributed to the gang’s eventual breakup after internal feuds and executions.
James Devine, aka Jones, James Johnson, Curran: This New Mexico outlaw was lynched in Raton on April 16, 1881, an illustration of the harsh, summary justice often meted out on the frontier.
Timmie Dick: A Creek Indian outlaw from Indian Territory, Timmie Dick was convicted of murder and faced execution in 1906, highlighting the severe consequences for capital crimes.
James Diggs (18??-1878): Diggs, an Oklahoma murderer, killed cattle drover J. C. Gould for a paltry sum of $27.00. He was subsequently hanged on December 20, 1878, at Fort Smith, Arkansas, a common fate for those who committed violent crimes in the territory.
Jerry Dillon: A New Mexico outlaw, Dillon was responsible for killing Captain Paul Dowlin on May 5, 1877, near Fort Stanton, an act that further cemented the region’s reputation for lawlessness.
Lee Dixon: An outlaw member of the Smith-Dixon Gang, Dixon was wounded during his capture by Deputy James Cole and later died from his injuries in the jail hospital at Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Cornelius “Lame Johnny” Donahue, aka: John A. Hurley (1850-1878): A notorious road agent operating in the Black Hills, Donahue was arrested but never made it to jail. He was intercepted and hanged by a vigilante group, demonstrating the raw power of self-appointed justice in remote areas.

The Doolin-Dalton Legacy and Other Frontier Figures

The confluence of various gangs and individual desperadoes continued to shape the American West.

William M. “Bill” Doolin, aka Will Barry (1858-1896): A formidable leader, Bill Doolin headed the infamous Doolin-Dalton Gang, which terrorized Oklahoma, New Mexico, Missouri, and Kansas with a string of train and bank robberies. His career ended when he was shot and killed by the relentless U.S. Deputy Marshal Heck Thomas on August 24, 1896.
John Dorsey: A New Mexico outlaw, Dorsey was lynched in Las Vegas, New Mexico, after he killed Constable Joe Carson, a swift and brutal reprisal for attacking a lawman.
Bob Dossay: An Oklahoma outlaw, Dossay met his end at the hands of Ceasar Payne in the Seminole Nation of Indian Territory, another instance of frontier violence.
Charley Dotson: An outlaw member of the Cookson Hills Gang, Dotson participated in the bank robberies at Haskell, Oklahoma, and York, Nebraska, both occurring in 1933, marking him as a criminal from a later period of the Old West era.
Daniel Dowd: A criminal associate of Bill Delaney, Dowd shared Delaney’s fate, being hanged in March 1884 in Tombstone, Arizona.
William Downing: Downing was a member of the Alvord-Stiles Gang, but his notoriety also stemmed from his corrupt role as the sheriff of Willcox, Arizona. He notoriously allowed his gang to escape after a train robbery. Credited with killing over thirty men, he was finally shot dead by Sheriff Billy Speed in August 1900 in Willcox.
Robert “Bob” Dozier (1800-1878): A farmer who turned to outlawry, Bob Dozier was accused of multiple crimes in Indian Territory. His criminal career ended when he was relentlessly tracked down by the legendary U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves, one of the most effective lawmen of the time.
Bluford “Blue” Duck (18??-1895): Born Sha-con-gah in the Cherokee Nation, Blue Duck became known as an outlaw involved in a small gang that committed stage holdups and rustling, navigating the complex territories of the Indian Nations.
Dell Dublin: A Texas outlaw, Dell Dublin was captured in Coryell, Texas, after committing murder, facing justice for his violent deeds.
Dick Dublin: Like Dell, Dick Dublin was a Texas outlaw also captured in Coryell, Texas, after committing murder, suggesting they may have been involved in a joint criminal enterprise.
Thomas Duffy: A New Mexico outlaw, Duffy was jailed in Las Vegas for killing Thomas Bishop in Liberty, New Mexico. His attempt to escape on September 19, 1880, proved fatal when he was shot and killed.
Giovanni Dugi, aka Dagi, Duque: This New Mexico outlaw was lynched on June 4, 1879, in Las Vegas, New Mexico, another victim of vigilante justice.
Dick Duncan: The nephew of the notorious Thomas “Black Jack” Ketchum, Dick Duncan followed his uncle’s violent path. He was hanged for murder at Eagle Pass, Texas, in 1891, ending a brief but impactful criminal career.
Jack Dunlap (or Dunlop), aka Three-Fingered Jack (18??-1900): Dunlap’s criminal career spanned several gangs. In the 1890s, he robbed banks and trains in Arizona before his initial arrest. After his release in 1895, he joined Black Jack Christian’s High Fives gang and later the Alvord-Stiles Gang, continuing his train robbery exploits. He met his demise after being shot during a train robbery in Fairbank, Arizona.
Dunn Brothers of Ingalls, Oklahoma: In the 1890s, William B. Dunn and his brothers, Bee, Calvin, Dal, and George, operated a road ranch near Ingalls, Oklahoma. This establishment was ostensibly for travelers seeking food and rest, but tragically, many who stopped there were robbed, killed, and never seen again, making the Dunn Brothers a feared name in the territory.
Rose Dunn, aka: The Rose of Cimarron (1878-1955): Known for her striking beauty and resilience, Rose Dunn earned the moniker “The Rose of Cimarron” through her association with the Doolin-Dalton Gang. She was famously involved with George “Bitter Creek” Newcomb, an outlaw in the gang, and played a role in assisting him after he was wounded. Despite her connections to some of the most dangerous men of the West, Rose Dunn survived the era, eventually settling down and living a long life, far removed from her early days of notoriety.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of ‘D’ Outlaws

The collection of Old West outlaws whose names began with ‘D’ provides a diverse cross-section of frontier criminality. From the intricate family ties of the Daltons to the solitary terror of figures like Isom Dart, and the ruthless efficiency of gangs led by Bill Doolin or Pancho Daniel, their stories paint a vivid picture of a turbulent era. Each individual, whether a notorious leader or a lesser-known accomplice, contributed to the legend and lore of the Wild West. Their lives, often brief and violent, serve as enduring testaments to the challenging pursuit of law and order in a land still finding its way.