A crazy Wild West story I once read took place in the year 1892 — the Ruggles Brothers, John and Charles, were robbing stage coaches all throughout the state of California. John went at it alone initially but eventually roped in his brother Charles, as well.
In May 1892, luck caught up with the pair — Charles was hit with buckshot in the stomach and John, believing the wound mortal, said his goodbyes and left the scene
Having just made a large amount of money, John moved to a distant city and enjoyed his earnings. Charles recovered, however, his wounds looking worse than they were.
Authorities went after the remaining brother, and caught him in a restaurant, eating a succulent meal. Taken to the town of Redding, California, where their last robbery took place, the Ruggles brothers were placed in a local jail to await trial. Here, things got crazy — John and Charles were handsome chaps and particularly charming. Local women went crazy, baking them cakes, throwing flowers and even themselves their way, some offering marriage. Because of this “Ruggles Mania”, local men got angry and besides themselves with jealousy…
On July 24, 1892, a gang of forty to seventy-five angry local men, jealous of the outlaw brothers taking away the affection of their sweethearts, broke into jail and dragged the Ruggles bro’s out… they then lynched them, not for being outlaws, but for being too charming and popular with the town’s ladies.
