Three Serial Killers from the Old West
Cowboys may have become the icon of the Wild West, but there were plenty of serial killers as well.
When people think about the Wild West era of American history, they usually think of cowboys, dusty towns, and gunslingers shooting it out or living it up in local saloons. Some of the outlaws from the time have gone on to become American folk heroes — Jesse James, Billy the Kids, and Butch Cassidy to name a few.
With so much criminal activity, it should come as no surprise to learn serial killers were active, if not well known. The phrase “serial killer” wouldn’t be coined until the 20th century, but that doesn’t mean serial killers didn’t exit. At a time when a man could become a local hero after an afternoon shootout, people who preferred to live on the edge of society found they could quite literally get away with murder.
At least for a while.
That’s the problem with being a criminal in a lawless time. You may get away with things for a while, but it isn’t always the law you need to worry about.
