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William Preston "Bill" Longley (1851–1878), also known as "Bloody Bill," was a notorious American Old West outlaw and gunfighter from Texas. He is often cited as one of the deadliest figures of his era, though modern historians note that he was a prolific braggart who heavily exaggerated his body count.
Key Facts and Criminal Career
Early Life: Born in Austin County, Texas, Longley grew up during the Reconstruction era, which fueled his violent resentment toward Union authority and freed slaves.
Killing Spree: Longley's first known killing occurred at age 15 or 16. He spent much of his life as a fugitive, moving through Texas, Wyoming, and Louisiana under various aliases like "Bill Jackson".
Body Count: While Longley claimed to have killed 32 people to rival the reputation of John Wesley Hardin, he confessed to only eight murders just before his death. Historians have confirmed at least five to seven specific victims.
Notable Victims:
Wilson Anderson: A childhood friend he killed with a shotgun in 1875, leading to his eventual execution.
Reverend William R. Lay: Ambushed and killed by Longley while milking a cow in 1876 after a dispute over a woman.
Execution and Legacy
Botched Hanging: Longley was executed on October 11, 1878, in Giddings, Texas. The hanging was famously botched; the rope was too long, and his feet hit the ground, requiring the sheriff and deputies to lift him up so he would slowly strangle to death over 11 minutes.
Myths and Hoaxes: Rumors long persisted that the hanging was a hoax and that Longley escaped to South America. However, the Smithsonian Institution exhumed his remains in 2001 and used DNA testing to confirm he was indeed the man buried in the Giddings cemetery
 
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