William Cruzan made a name for himself as a member of the Wild Bunch. But his criminal beginnings came years before, in 1888, outside an Illinois church. Worship was over, and Cruzan had eyes for a girl in the congregation. But she was walking home with Elijah Ulm. Cruzan—22 at the time—followed the couple, accosting them with threats and foul language. Ulm turned and punched Cruzan, who then pulled a pistol. Ulm reciprocated and both opened fire. Ulm died of two bullets to the chest. Cruzan escaped to Texas.

True West March/April 2025
In This Issue:
Western Books & Movies
More In This Issue
- Truth Be Known
- What Has Taught Me: Deb Goodrich
- Earp, Cowboy Songs & Prairie Hygiene
- Trails of the Old West
- The Frontier Characters of South Dakota
- The Bowie Knife
- The Kindled Flame 1835
- King of the Scatterguns
- Selling the Mythic West and the Real West
- A Gut Punch Turns into a Miracle Reprieve
- The Beginnings of the Bird Cage
- Frontier Colossus