To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Texas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Texas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 4/24/20 • Approved: 4/24/20 • Last Updated: 4/27/20 • R304327-G0-S3
1851 - 1878
Gun Slinger, Outlaw
Aliases included Wild Bill, Rattling Bill, Tom Jones, Jim Patterson, Jim Webb, Bill Black, Bill Henry, and Bill Jackson.
October 6, 1851 - October 11, 1878
Born in Austin County and moved to Old Greenwood, Lee County, Texas when he was two years old. When he was 16 years old he killed black man in Old Greenwood and two more in Lexington, Texas. Until 1870 he teamed up with Cullen Montgomery Baker harassing and killing freed black men, reconstructionist, carpetbaggers, and blue belly soldiers. He was caught by vigilantes and hanged. But good shooting by friends severed the rope and spared his life. He went on a trail drive to Abilene, Kansas and killed the trail boss and in Leavenworth he killed a soldier. He moved on to Cheyenne, Wyoming and worked for the government. He was tried and convicted for two murders and sentenced to 30 years. He escaped and lived with Ute Indians. Eventually he wandered back to Texas. He was finally captured after reportedly killing 32 men. He was hanged in Giddings, Texas on October 11, 1878.
Contributed on 4/24/20 by tomtodd
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 304327