Blue Duck (outlaw) facts for kids
Blue Duck, also known as Bluford Duck, was an outlaw from the American Old West. He lived from 1858 to 1895. Many people know him from a famous photograph taken in the mid-1880s. In this picture, he posed with Belle Starr, who was a well-known female outlaw.
Discovering Blue Duck's Early Life
Blue Duck was born in the Cherokee Nation. His birth name was Sha-con-gah. In the early 1870s, he started riding with groups of outlaws. These groups committed crimes like stealing across the Oklahoma Territory.
Blue Duck became connected with Belle Starr around this time. When Belle Starr married another outlaw named Sam Starr, they started their own group. Blue Duck joined them. He rode with their group for much of the late 1870s. His involvement with them was not always constant.
Blue Duck's Capture and Release
On June 23, 1884, Blue Duck was riding in the Cherokee Nation. He was with another outlaw named William Christie. They were later captured by a Deputy US Marshal named Frank Cochran. They were taken to Judge Isaac Parker in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Judge Parker was sometimes called the "Hanging Judge."
Both Blue Duck and Christie were found guilty. However, Christie was later found innocent and set free. Blue Duck was first sentenced to execution. But his sentence was later changed to life in prison. He was sent to Menard Penitentiary in Chester, Illinois. Belle Starr tried to help him appeal his case, but it was not successful.
In 1895, doctors found that Blue Duck had tuberculosis. This was a serious illness at the time. He was not expected to live much longer. Because of this, he was given a pardon and released from prison. He passed away shortly after in Catoosa, Oklahoma, where he is buried.
See Also
- Blue Duck (Lonesome Dove series)
