Tennessee Russ Anderson Jr.: The True Story of a Western Legend

Tennessee Russ Anderson Jr. was a man of many talents and a figure of legend in the Wild West. He was a cowboy, a gunfighter, a lawman, and a soldier, and he lived a life that was as exciting as any of the dime novels and Western movies that would later be inspired by his adventures.

Born in Tennessee in 1852, Anderson moved west in his early twenties in search of adventure. He quickly found it, working as a cowboy on the vast ranches of the Texas Panhandle. In the years that followed, he would also work as a buffalo hunter, a stagecoach driver, and a scout for the U.S. Army.

Anderson's reputation as a gunfighter grew out of his many duels and shootouts with other outlaws and lawmen. He was known for his quick draw and his deadly aim, and he was said to have killed more than a dozen men in his lifetime.

In later years, Anderson became a lawman, serving as a deputy sheriff in several counties in Texas and Oklahoma. He was also a member of the Texas Rangers, and he played a role in some of the most famous law enforcement actions of the era.

Anderson's life was cut short in 1887 when he was killed in a shootout with three outlaws. He was only 35 years old at the time of his death, but his legend lived on, and he became one of the most famous figures of the Wild West.

Becoming a Cowboy

Anderson's early life was marked by tragedy. His father was killed in a gunfight when Anderson was just a boy, and his mother died when he was a teenager. Anderson was left to fend for himself, and he soon drifted into a life of crime. He was arrested several times for theft and other petty offenses, and he spent time in jail on more than one occasion.

In 1874, Anderson was working as a cowboy on a ranch in the Texas Panhandle when he got into a fight with another cowboy. The fight ended with Anderson killing the other man, and he was forced to flee the ranch to avoid being arrested for murder.

Gunfighter on the Run

Anderson spent the next several years on the run from the law. He drifted from town to town, working as a cowboy, a buffalo hunter, and a stagecoach driver. He also continued to get into fights and shootouts, and his reputation as a gunfighter grew.

In 1878, Anderson was involved in a shootout with a group of outlaws in Dodge City, Kansas. Anderson was wounded in the gunfight, but he managed to escape. The shootout made Anderson a legend in Dodge City, and he was soon one of the most wanted outlaws in the West.

Lawman and Texas Ranger

In 1881, Anderson decided to turn his life around. He surrendered to the authorities in Texas and was sentenced to prison for the murder he committed in 1874. After serving two years in prison, Anderson was released on parole. He decided to join the Texas Rangers and became a deputy sheriff in several counties in Texas and Oklahoma.

As a lawman, Anderson was known for his bravery and his determination to bring criminals to justice. He participated in several famous law enforcement actions, including the capture of the outlaws Bill Doolin and Ned Christie.

Death and Legacy

Anderson's life came to an end in 1887 when he was killed in a shootout with three outlaws in Oklahoma Territory. He was only 35 years old at the time of his death.

Anderson was buried in Texas, and his grave is a popular tourist destination. He is remembered as one of the most famous figures of the Wild West, and his legend has been told in numerous books, movies, and television shows.

Tennessee Russ Anderson Jr. was a man of many talents and a figure of legend in the Wild West. He was a cowboy, a gunfighter, a lawman, and a soldier, and he lived a life that was as exciting as any of the dime novels and Western movies that would later be inspired by his adventures.

Anderson's life was cut short in 1887, but his legend lives on. He is remembered as one of the most famous figures of the Wild West, and his story is still told today.