Andrew Roberts: A Legendary Gunfighter of the Old West
The Last Stand of Buckshot Roberts
April 5, 1831 - April 5, 1878
Andrew Roberts, known as "Buckshot Roberts," was an American buffalo hunter, frontiersman, and cowboy who lived from 1831 to 1878. He became famous for his last stand against a group of eight men on April 4, 1878, a gunfight that has been described as one of the most remarkable in the history of the Old West.
The Gunfight at Blazer's Mill
On that fateful day, Roberts found himself at Blazer's Mill on the Mescalero Indian Reservation. As he was resting, eight men approached him, intending to kill him. Roberts, armed with his rifle, took defensive positions behind a tree.
The eight men opened fire, but Roberts returned fire and managed to hit one of them. The remaining seven men continued firing, but Roberts remained unscathed despite being outnumbered.
The Legendary Last Stand
During the intense gunfight, one of the men, Billy Bowdre, managed to get close to Roberts and fired a shot at him. However, the bullet struck Roberts' belt buckle and knocked him to the ground.
As Bowdre approached to finish him off, Roberts screamed "No!" and fired his rifle, striking Bowdre in the chest and killing him. The remaining men, seeing their comrade fall, realized that Roberts was a formidable opponent and chose to disperse.
Buckshot Roberts' legendary last stand cemented his place in the annals of Western history. His courage, determination, and marksmanship skills made him a respected and admired figure among frontiersmen and outlaws alike.
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