This photo of rugged young-looking dudes was known as the Rufus Buck Gang. Originally formed by a guy named Rufus Buck, this multi-racial gang of outlaws robbed ranches and stores in the late 1890s in the Arkansas-Oklahoma area.
They were eventually captured outside Muskogee, OK, and received a death sentence for killing several men, including a US Marshall named John Garrett.
Rotgut Liquor
Back then, any kind of liquor was not cheap, especially Rotgut Liquor. For saloons to generate more money, owners would dilute their good liquor by adding other ingredients into it, like ammonia and turpentine. Woah, that sounds like a dangerous combination!
Besides, hard liquor, some of the most popular drinks included the Allston Cocktail, which was made with peppermint schnapps, gin, lemon juice, and a classic mix of brandy and soda called B&S. No wonder people were always drunk! The drinks back then were super deadly!
A Bullet Dance
In the photo you see before you, there are several men firing their guns at another man’s feet in an unknown old western saloon, which was possibly located in Wyoming.
Back then, the only way a poor man could avoid getting shot was if he jumped as fast as he could, which was called a “Bullet dance” As you can see, we don't think it was all fun and games for these guys!
Maggie: A Girl of the Streets
A novella written by Stephen Crane called “Maggie: A Girl of the Streets” The plot had centered around a young girl from Bowery, whose life had taken an unfortunate turn because she was seduced by a friend of her brother’s, which eventually ended her life tragically.
The story was considered risque at the time because it was followed by a second novel called “George’s Mother” written by the same author.
Cowboys Playing Poker
Have you tried watching those old western movies, only to find a group of cowboys playing a game of poker before getting into a bar fight? Well, to make it more interesting, people actually took gambling seriously back then, no matter how illegal it might have been.
In fact, gambling back then was a big deal, especially in the 19th century. Believe it or not, some of the first structures built in the old west were gambling halls. It was a favorite pastime, so if you were hanging out at the saloon, the first thing you’d expect to see are girls, bar fights, drinking, and poker games!