Bill Longley
Bill Longley, often referred to as "Wild Bill Longley," was a notorious gunslinger in the American West, born in Texas in 1841. From a young age, he demonstrated exceptional shooting skills and developed a reputation for violence and a quick temper, particularly after the American Civil War. Longley was involved in numerous altercations and killings across several states, including Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas, earning infamy for allegedly killing at least thirty-two individuals. His criminal activities included confrontations with soldiers and civilians alike, leading to a series of arrests, though he often evaded justice through connections and quick escapes.
In 1877, Longley was finally captured and, after being sentenced to death for murder, was executed by hanging in 1878. His life has been romanticized in literature and media, with appearances in works by authors like Louis L'Amour and a television series titled "The Texan." Despite his brutal legacy, stories about Longley persist, contributing to the mythos of the Wild West and raising questions about his life and the cultural perceptions surrounding gunslingers of that era. Longley's remains were exhumed in 2001, confirming his identity through DNA testing, which added a layer of historical intrigue to his already infamous narrative.
Subject Terms
Bill Longley
American outlaw
- Born: October 6, 1851
- Birthplace: Mill Creek, Austin County, Texas
- Died: October 11, 1878
- Place of death: Giddings, Texas
Major offenses: Murder and robbery
Active: December, 1866-June, 1876
Locale: Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Wyoming, and Kansas
Sentence: Death by hanging
Early Life
About one and a half years after Bill Longley (LAWNG-lee) was born to Campbell and Sarah Longley, the family moved to Evergreen, Texas. Bill attended school there and worked on the family farm. He developed a close relationship with his brother James Stockton Longley.
While still a young boy, Longley became very proficient with a pistol. By the time the American Civil War (1861-1865) ended, he had developed a deep hatred for freed slaves, Union soldiers, and carpetbaggers (Northerners who took up residence in the South and tried to exploit Southerners). Longley allegedly killed a black man on December 10, 1866, after an argument escalated between them. Longley fled and worked for a period of time as a cowboy in Karnes County, Texas.
Criminal Career
Longley reportedly killed a calvary soldier in April, 1867. A reward of one thousand dollars was offered for his capture. On December 20, 1868, Longley and two friends killed a freed slave. By 1869, Longley had established a reputation as a daring gunslinger. He had a quick temper and was willing to pick a fight with anyone who got in his way. Trouble and killings followed Longley throughout his travels in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Wyoming.
During his wild escapades, Longley worked occasionally on ranches in south-central and western Texas. At various times, he was accused of stealing horses and looting homes and farms. He used a variety of aliases to avoid the law. In February, 1870, Longley and his brother-in-law, John W. Wilson, killed a black man in Bastrop County, Texas. They were also accused of killing a black woman. Longley escaped to Kansas, where he worked as a cowpuncher in Abilene and killed his trail boss after an argument. He also killed a U.S. soldier near Leavenworth and then fled to Wyoming.
On March 1, 1875, Longley gunned down a farmer, Wilson Anderson, in Lee County, Texas. In January 1876, he killed gunfighter Lou Shroyer. About six months later, he killed the Reverend William Lay in Delta County, Texas.
Legal Action and Outcome
Longley was arrested for murder in 1873 in Kerr County, Texas, but was soon released when the arresting officer was paid off by one of Longley’s relatives. After numerous killings in Texas, Longley hid out in Louisiana. On June 6, 1877, he was captured in DeSoto Parish, Louisiana, by Sheriff Milton Mast and returned to Lee County, Texas, for trial.
On September 5, 1877, Longley was sentenced to hang for murder. The court of appeals affirmed his conviction in March, 1878. Longley was sent to Giddings, Texas, to be hanged. The hanging took place on October 11, 1878. After the rope slipped and Longley’s body fell until his feet touched the ground, Sheriff James Madison Brown made some adjustments in the rope. After eleven and a half minutes, Longley was pronounced dead.
Impact
Wild Bill Longley was known as one of the most dangerous, daring gunslingers in the American West. He had a reputation for being very fast on the draw and a very accurate marksman. He reportedly killed thirty-two people, ranking him second only to John Wesley Hardin for number of killings by a gunslinger.
Stories of Longley have been explored in several gunfighter texts. He was the subject of Louis Lamour’s western novel The First Draw: The Blazing Story of the First Great Gun Fighters (1959). A television series about Wild Bill Longley titled The Texan aired between 1958 to 1960.
After his hanging in 1878, rumors persisted that Longley had escaped and fled to South America, appearing later in Louisiana. In 2001, his remains were exhumed from the Giddings City Cemetery. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) comparison testing with a living relative proved that the body was indeed that of Longley.
Bibliography
Miller, Rick. Bloody Bill Longley: A Biography. Wolfe City, Tex.: Henington, 1996. Miller does a thorough job in separating truth from legend in explaining the life of Longley.
Rosa, Joseph G. Gunfighters: The Outlaws and Their Weapons. Berkeley, Calif.: Thunder Bay Press, 2006. This book provides a vivid account of the events and facts associated with the life of Longley.
Texas Historical Association. The Handbook of Texas. Austin: Author, 2001. Describes the adventures of Longley in detail, particularly his capture and execution.