Bill Downing wasn’t just another outlaw in the Arizona Territory—he was the most hated man in the state. From his violent temper and lawless saloon to his connections with the outlaw/lawmen Burt Alvord, Downing carved out a reputation for brutality that left scars on every town he touched. He ran crooked games, taught his women the art of pickpocketing, and wasn’t afraid to beat anyone—friend or foe—who crossed him. Even the law despised him. By the time his story ended, Arizona was united in celebration at his downfall.
In this episode of Wild West Deep Dives, we explore the rise and bloody fall of Bill Downing, why he became a symbol of everything rotten in frontier Arizona, and how his own reckless choices made him an outlaw remembered only for his cruelty.
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Sources;
o https://truewestmagazine.com/bill-downing-six-shooter/ (1)
o https://truewestmagazine.com/article/jeff-milton-burt-alvord-gang/ (2)
o https://www.historynet.com/the-lowdown-on-quarrelsome-bill-downing/ (3)
§ Article by Phyllis De La Garza
o https://www.legendsofamerica.com/az-cochiserobbery/ (5)
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