Here are some of the most infamous “Bad Men from Bodie” — real characters who helped give the town its rowdy, violent reputation in the late 1800s:
1. James Stuart – Stagecoach Robber & Lynching Victim
Stuart was caught robbing a stagecoach and brought to Bodie for trial. But locals weren’t in the mood for legal delays. In 1881, a mob dragged him out of jail and hanged him from a telegraph pole on Main Street. This was frontier justice, Bodie-style.
2. Tom Treanor – Killer in a Saloon Shootout
Treanor was known for his hot temper and quick trigger. He got into an argument over a card game in a saloon and opened fire. He killed his opponent, but the townsfolk weren’t exactly shocked. In Bodie, that kind of trouble was practically expected.
3. William “Red” Irwin – Gunman with a Reputation
Red Irwin shot a man during a poker game, claiming self-defense. Witnesses disagreed. But with the help of skilled lawyers (possibly like Pat Reddy), he avoided serious punishment. He strutted Bodie’s streets afterward, daring anyone to challenge him.
4. Joe “Fat Jack” Clark – Notorious Brawler
Fat Jack was a miner with fists like anvils and a bad attitude to match. Known for knocking out men in a single punch, he was feared in town and banned from several saloons. He reportedly killed a man during a bar brawl but was never convicted.
5. Lottie Johl (Honorable Mention) – Not a “bad man,” but a tragic figure
Lottie was the wife of Jacob Johl, a saloon owner. She had a rough reputation herself, sometimes unfairly. After her death, she was buried in the town cemetery, but rumors claimed some townsfolk had her body moved due to prejudice. Her story adds a darker layer to Bodie’s social world.
These individuals — some criminals, some just violent men in a violent time — helped cement Bodie’s image as a place where life was cheap, and justice was often swift and deadly.