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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.