Jack Ganzhorn’s autobiography, “I’ve Killed Men,” offers a raw and unflinching glimpse into the violent life of a Western frontier figure. This book, first published in 1910 by Robert Hale Limited, details Ganzhorn’s experiences with numerous gunfights and a life steeped in the rugged realities of the Old West. As a collector of Western pulp magazines, understanding authors like Ganzhorn provides a unique perspective on the era. The book is often compared to Charles Askins’ “Unrepentant Sinner“, with both authors openly admitting their thrill in using firearms.
The Life and Times of Jack Ganzhorn
Ganzhorn’s life was as varied as the tales he told. Born into a period of significant change in the American West, he experienced firsthand the transition from a frontier still ruled by the gun to a more settled society. His autobiography covers a remarkable span of experiences, from growing up in Tombstone, a town synonymous with the Old West’s lawlessness, to his encounters with legendary figures like Wyatt Earp. Ganzhorn’s journey included stints as a gambler, a scout during the Philippine Insurrection under General Funston, and even a period in Hollywood as an actor. His diverse life also saw him working undercover for Remington Arms, a testament to his unique skills and knowledge.
“I’ve Killed Men”: Content and Context
The title itself, “I’ve Killed Men,” immediately signals the violent nature of the autobiography. The book reportedly details some forty killings, referred to as “six-shooter killings,” not including those he may have dispatched during his military service in the Philippine insurrection. A New York Times review from 1959 noted that Ganzhorn claimed fifteen victims during that conflict alone. This level of admitted violence, documented during a time when Westerns were at their peak popularity, offers a stark contrast to modern interpretations of “gun violence.”
Kirkus Reviews described Ganzhorn as a “remarkable man” despite being “practically illiterate until maturity.” The autobiography is packed with accounts of feuds, fights, and survival. Beyond his personal exploits, Ganzhorn recounts dramatic events such as escaping a deadly forest fire in Minnesota and surviving the San Francisco earthquake and fire. The book is recommended for readers who appreciate Western narratives that go beyond simple cowboy tales, delving into the complex and often brutal realities of frontier life.
Ganzhorn’s Literary and Cinematic Footprints
Jack Ganzhorn’s influence extended beyond his autobiography. He appeared in several silent films, including Thorobred (1922), The Iron Horse (1924), and The Apache Raider (1928). While most of his cinematic work appears to be lost, a colorized version of the 1929 edit of the serial Hawk of the Hills is available on YouTube, offering a visual connection to his early career.
Furthermore, Ganzhorn was a prolific writer for Western pulp magazines between the 1920s and 1950s. His contributions included stories like “Damnation Ranch” in The Golden West Magazine (September 1929), “Gamblers Guns” in Super Western (December 1937), and “Leaden Justice” in Wild West Stories Magazine (November 1935). His writing style is characteristic of the pulp era, direct and action-oriented, much like the real-life accounts of gunfights he often recounted. One such story, reprinted from Super Western, details another of his real-life gunfights.
Legacy and Comparison
Though not as widely known today as contemporaries like Wyatt Earp or Bat Masterson, Jack Ganzhorn lived a life that mirrored theirs in its intensity and engagement with the frontier’s challenges. His transition from a “gunfighter life” to a career in film and writing reflects a common trajectory for many figures of that era who sought to find a different path in their later years. Ganzhorn’s autobiography, “I’ve Killed Men,” remains a significant document, providing a firsthand, albeit violent, perspective on the American West. For those interested in the historical underpinnings of Westerns and the lives of those who lived them, this book offers invaluable insights. Examining such historical accounts can deepen our understanding of the lore and reality of training a young horse for dressage, as the spirit of resilience and grit often translated across different frontier professions.
References
- Ganzhorn, Jack. I’ve Killed Men. Robert Hale Limited, 1910.
- “Marked for Violence.” The New York Times, 22 Nov. 1959.
- “I’ve Killed Men.” Kirkus Reviews, https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/jack-ganzhorn/ive-killed-men/
- Ganzhorn, Jack. “Gamblers Guns.” Super Western, December 1937.
- Ganzhorn, Jack. The Apache Raider. Directed by Louis Gasnier, Columbia Pictures, 1928.
- Ganzhorn, Jack. Hawk of the Hills. Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet, Pathé Exchange, 1929.
