Understanding the Misconceptions of the American Gunfighter

The image of the American gunfighter, often romanticized in films and literature, is more complex than popular narratives suggest. In his new book, The Gunfighters: How Texas Made the West Wild, author Bryan Burrough explores the historical realities behind the legends of figures like Jesse James and Wyatt Earp, revealing a chaotic and often violent frontier.

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Burrough highlights that the Wild West, typically defined as the period from the end of the Civil War in 1865 to the early 1900s, was not solely populated by noble heroes. Instead, it was characterized by a significant number of gunfights and gunfighters, particularly from Texas. "If you study these marquee gunfights at any length, something jumps out at you about the participants. A startling number of these deadly encounters involved a single kind of person: A Texan," Burrough notes.

The cultural backdrop of Texas contributed to this phenomenon. Following the Civil War, Texas was marked by a martial culture, shaped by its history of defeating Mexico and facing off against the Comanche. This environment fostered a deep sense of honor, often leading to violent confrontations over perceived slights. Burrough points out that during the California Gold Rush of the 1850s, more duels were fought in California than in any other state, with Southerners initiating most of them.

The violence in the West was stark, with some areas experiencing murder rates as high as 60 per 100,000 people, significantly above modern standards. For comparison, Chicago's murder rate in 2024 was estimated at 24 per 100,000. This high level of violence was exacerbated by the presence of embittered men from the South who saw themselves as victims of the war, further igniting tensions in the region.

Many of the most famous gunfighters were not as heroic as their legends suggest. For instance, John Wesley Hardin, who claimed to have killed twenty men by age 18, and Wild Bill Hickok, whose actual kill count was far lower than the hundreds attributed to him, illustrate the discrepancies between myth and reality. Burrough emphasizes that Jesse James was more of a criminal than a traditional gunfighter, executing far more men than he killed in fair fights.

Wyatt Earp, often viewed as the archetypal Western hero, had a complicated past, including being a federal fugitive. Despite this, he and fellow lawman Bat Masterson helped make Dodge City safer during their tenure. Burrough notes that while Texans contributed to the violence in the West, they also played a role in its pacification, particularly through the Texas Rangers, who were mobilized in 1874 to combat crime and violence.

Burrough's narrative suggests that many Hollywood portrayals of the West have roots in historical events. For example, Clint Eastwood's character in A Fistful of Dollars is loosely based on the real-life contract killer “Deacon Jim” Miller, who wore an iron plate for protection. The violent conflicts between ranchers and sheep herders depicted in Westerns also reflect real historical tensions.

Despite Burrough's engaging storytelling, some critics argue that he overlooks deeper questions about the enduring fascination with the Wild West. Casey Chalk, a senior contributor at The Federalist, reflects on this interest, suggesting it stems from a perception that such rugged individuals are necessary for civilization's survival. "We know that we need rough men to protect us, even though we also know such men always exist uneasily on the boundaries of law and order," Chalk states.

As new Western films and series continue to emerge, the legacy of the gunfighter remains a topic of interest. Burrough’s work prompts readers to reconsider the narratives surrounding these figures, recognizing that while they may embody individualism, their stories are often intertwined with the complexities of law, order, and societal norms.