Old West Outlaws
While television westerns have romanticized and exaggerated the violence in the Wild West, criminal activities were a reality, especially in Kansas cowtowns. the communities of Abilene (Dickinson County), Ellsworth (Ellsworth County), Wichita (Sedgwick County), Dodge City (Ford County), and Caldwell (Sumner County) attracted their share of gamblers, confidence men, robbers, and even murderers. Learn more about some of these outlaws.
Lowe, "Rowdy Joe" and "Rowdy Kate"
Dalton, Emmett of the Dalton gang
Bender, Kate of the infamous Bender family
Entry: Old West Outlaws
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: July 2010
Date Modified: July 2017
The author of this article is solely responsible for its content.
