Arkansas-born "Texas Jack" Reed's life story has become a part of Wild West lore.
His memoirs, published in the 1930s, are considered valuable collectors' items and offer a glimpse into the life of one of the last survivors of the "47 most notorious outlaws" of Indian Territory.
While some of his tales may have been exaggerated, Reed's impact on the history of the American Southwest is undeniable.
Nathaniel "Texas Jack" Reed was born on March 23, 1862, in Madison County in a rural area near the small town of St. Paul.
His father, Mason Henry Reed, was killed in action during the American Civil War, leaving young Nathaniel to be raised by his mother, Sarah Elizabeth Prater, and various relatives. Growing up in the rugged frontier, Reed developed a taste for adventure and a knack for survival that would later define his notorious career.
Reed moved out West in 1883, at the age of 21. He initially worked at various jobs in states like Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas before eventually settling in Oklahoma, where he became a ranch hand for the Tarry outfit.
Reed's journey into the world of crime began in the summer of 1885 when he was recruited by his ranch foreman to rob a train at La Junta, Colorado. The successful heist, which netted Reed $6,000, marked the end of his days as a cowboy and the beginning of his life as an outlaw.
Over the next nine years, Reed and his gang terrorized the American Southwest, robbing stagecoaches, banks, and trains.
Operating primarily in the Rocky Mountains and Indian Territory, Reed's gang became infamous for their daring robberies. One of their most audacious heists was the capture of a large shipment of bullion in California.
Reed's reputation grew, and he was often associated with other notorious outlaws of the time, such as the Dalton gang and Bill Doolin.
One of Reed's most audacious crimes was the capture of a large shipment of bullion in California. This heist further cemented his reputation as a notorious outlaw.
By the early 1890s, Reed's criminal activities began to catch up with him. In 1894, he was involved in the robbery at Blackstone Switch, near Muskogee. He and his gang targeted a shipment of gold out of Dallas and although he managed to evade capture for a time, the relentless pursuit by law enforcement eventually led to his downfall.
He served less than one year of a five-year sentence before being pardoned by Judge Isaac C. Parker in November 1896. Reed was held at the Fort Smith Federal Penitentiary in Fort Smith. The jail time in Fort Smith was the only time he was incarcerated in his long and prosperous career.
After his release, Reed turned his life around and became an evangelist, preaching against the dangers of a life of crime.
He spent his later years in Tulsa where he was often seen on the streets sharing his story and warning others about the perils of criminal activity.
He also toured the country with a series of Wild West shows. His memoirs, The Life of Texas Jack, were published in 1936, and 35,000 copies of several published pamphlets and dime novels describing his life as an outlaw were sold before his death. An original copy of his memoirs reportedly sold on th internet for $1500 in 2007.
Reed passed away on January 7, 1950, leaving behind a legacy of both infamy and redemption. He was buried in Brashears Cemetery in St. Paul.
