Idolizing Outlaws of the "Wild" West

Wild Bill Hickock, Billy the Kid, "clubfoot" George Lane, George "Red Buck" Weightman, and many others have been idolized since their heydays in the wild west, but why did Americans feel so passionately about those who, by many standards, should have been locked behind bars? In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the West was seen by many as a place of lawlessness, ruthless behavior, and a place where a life of order was just as common as one without. Land west of the Mississippi attracted those seeking not only adventure, but a place where they could cut loose and live under their own rules. This was ultimately a response to the very aristocratic and rigid cultural structure of the east. People on the east idolized those that were rich, powerful men who were able to buy what they want and talk their way out of conflicts. These people were looked up to because they found success through business and the expansion of a corporate america. Why then, would the most popular individuals from the "wild" west be outlaws? The west, which we have discussed as being almost purely a reaction to the ideas promoted on the east, began to idolize those who were able to be as physically powerful, manly, and lawless, as possible. In many cases, these men were those who operated outside of the law, making due with what they could and living the life they wanted. These outlaws were idolized because they took advantage all that the west had to offer, and were the most manly, un-east-like people in the country. They could do what they wanted, and their success was measured not by the amount of money they could make, people they could barter with, or how well they could speak, but rather that they could sling a gun faster than anyone, rob more banks than the average man, take what they want without asking, fend for themselves, and even ride a horse backwards during an attack from indians. In their own way, these men were heros, able to be pure men; uncivilized, gunslinging, real men. I guess Americans were able to overlook the unlawful behavior because the idea behind their actions was so pure and real, and so unlike those of the east.

Researched and Written by: Matt Rizzo and Jack Cookson