The Outlaw Years

The years just before 1880 until about 1885 are considered the outlaw years. Lawlessness developed a law of its own and planned an empire.

Operating along the Natchez Trace, an overland trading and postal-rider route that in places was barely a trail, the outlaws preyed upon the traffic along this line. Their plans were laid in the dives under the bluffs of the river towns - Natchez and Vicksburg and as far South as New Orleans.