In folklore, all the stories of famous "outlaws" almost have three identical characteristics:
They are mostly "Robin Hoods" who steal from the rich just to support the poor.
Although they all died of violent crimes, most believe that they escaped the disaster at the last second, changed their names and surnames, and died without a problem.
They, without exception, fought unswervingly to the end.
Folklore has its own truth. But if we only believe what historians tell us, you will find the following common denominators – theft, robbery, guns, more guns, violence and premature death.
Below, we'll tell the true story of six of the "most famous" outlaws: The Wild West — five men and one woman — living and dying.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >3, Joan Kim Murita</h1>
In an oil painting called "Vaqueirot" created in 1875, Joan Murita rides on a horse
Before the appearance of "Zorro", there was also Murita - Jojin Murita.
Legend has it that Murita was a successful Mexican (or Chilean) gold miner in California in the 1850s. But the local whites, jealous of his success, caught and beat him; killed his brother, raped and killed his wife.
Murita was utterly enraged. He began to turn to crime, stopping white trains, robbing them – becoming a Mexican "Robin Hood" to avenge racial injustice.
After a series of "feats", when the California Rangers pursued him, cut off his head, and kept him in a jar of brandy — it was all over. Apparently, Murita's head was worth a $1,000 bounty, which they needed to continue the "bandits."
Although this may not be the case, it is believed that the head did belong to Murita; however, in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the jar and the contents were gone—never to be found.
This is the widely circulated story of Cherokee writer John Rollin Ritchie in his book The Life and Adventures of Joakin Murita. And this story, in turn, eventually became one of the inspirations for the fictional character "Zorro".
No one can confirm Ritchie's account of What's behind Murita's backstage, but it has been shown that Murita did lead a gang that went into a murderous criminal revelry — but they brutally slaughtered dozens of people without regard to their ethnic origins.
So where did this legend come from?
Murita's nephew, a guy named Procopio, was only 12 years old when his uncle died. He embellished Jordyn's story and made himself the heir to California's most notorious outlaw.
<h1 class="pgc-h-arrow-right" >2, Cherokee Bill</h1>
Cherokee Bill, third from left, and his gangmates
When Crawford Goldsby, better known as "Cherokee Bill," was to pay for many of the crimes he committed, his last words were, "I'm here to die, not to say something." ”
For many, this is an unforgettable "old-school" illegal term. It may not be true, but it makes sense – because this man is more inclined to shoot than to talk.
Cherokee Bill was born in 1876 at Fort Concho, Texas.
His father was Sergeant George Gordsby, a famous buffalo soldier of the 10th Cavalry; his mother was named Alan Goldsby, a Cherokee woman of European and African-American descent.
George and Allen parted ways when Crawford was 7 years old; so the young Bill was sent to "Indian" schools in Kansas and Pennsylvania— though apparently he didn't thrive there.
Some say Cherokee Bill killed his brother-in-law when he was 14, while others say he was 12. But anyway, it wasn't until he became "Cherokee Bill" at the age of 18 and recruited outlaw Jim Cook that his career really began.
Immediately after, on Indian Land, a season of robbery and murder began—from May to December 1894—until he was captured. Bill didn't stop the violence, though; during a prison escape, he killed a guard, but was unable to escape. In April 1895, he was sentenced to death by Isaac Parker, the "hanged criminal officer."
On St. Patrick's Day the following year, Cherokee Bill uttered his famous last words.
<h1 class= "pgc-h-arrow-right" >1, Butch Cassidy</h1>
Butch Cassidy, sitting on the far right, with his gang of outlaws, circa 1900
Look at this guy—hat tilted to one side, manicured mustache obscuring a smirk—he looks like a clever, unproductive gentleman who likes to play tricks on others.
Perhaps, that's why so many people believe that Butch Cassidy didn't really die in a rain of bullets in South America, but rather faked his death, changed his name, and then spent his life in Spokane, Washington.
This is William H. T. Phillips wrote the story in detail in the book The Story of Butch Cassidy: The Bandits Are Invincible. Some even think that the book is a memoir written by Cassidy himself, under a pseudonym.
If that were the case, it would be one of several name changes by Butch Cassidy—he started his career under Robert Leroy Parker in 1866; until 1889, when he changed his name to Cassidy.
In fact, he is indeed the leader of a notorious gang. The gang roamed Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and South Dakota, robbing trains and banks, stealing cattle and horses.
When he was being hunted down by many parties and about to be brought to justice, Butch Cassidy fled to South America along with Harry Lompaf (aka Sundance Kid), along with Harry's wife Eta.
There, the two returned to the arduous work of robbery. According to reliable historians, they were eventually brought to justice and their careers of outlaw came to an end.
Like most celebrity criminals who "successfully cheated to death," Butch Cassidy's survival story is not based on facts, but on wishful thinking.
The end.