Texas Jack: The Forgotten Legend Buried in Colorado

He is John Baker Omohundro (July 27, 1846 – June 28, 1880) and is buried right here in Colorado. Just like his buddies Wild Bill Hickok and Buffalo Bill, he also had an alias. He was called “Texas Jack.”

Texas Jack poses between onstage co-stars Wild Bill Hickok (left) and Buffalo Bill Cody. (Cowan’s Auctions)Photo byCenter of the West / Edit by Colorado Martini

Like his pictured buddies, Texas Jack had been a civilian scout for the US Army during the American Indian Wars. Texas Jack became a legendary Old West showman and was immortalized in dime novels published around the world.

Wild Bill Hickok (left), Texas Jack (middle), Buffalo Bill Cody (right).Photo byCenter of the West

He was born John B. Omohundro in Virginia. When the Civil War broke out, he became a scout to General J.E.B. Stuart’s Confederate cavalry. After the war at the age of 19, he came west to become a cowboy. He became a legend on the plains leading the Pawnee Indians on their summer hunts and was a wilderness guide for Britain’s Earl of Dunraven. If the Earl’s name sounds familiar, he is the very same Earl of Dunraven that the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado claims to haunt one of their rooms.

In 1872, with his friend, William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill), he gained national fame by co-founding their Wild West Show. He even performed at the Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado.

Texas Jack Omohundro, ca. 1880.Photo byCenter of the West

He and his wife settled in Leadville, where he died of a pneumonia on June 28, 1880, at the young age of 33. You can find his grave in the Protestant section of the Evergreen Cemetery in Leadville. The headstone itself was donated by his good friend Buffalo Bill. There is also a grave maker showing his service to the Confederate States Army (CSA). See video below.

In 1994, he was inducted into the Oklahoma City’s National Cowboy Hall of Fame. He can also be seen featured in the William Cody Museum in Cody, Wyoming.

Texa Jack's headstone in Evergreen Cemetery, Leadville, ColoradoPhoto byColorado Martini

You can visit Texas Jack’s grave at the Evergreen Cemetery in Leadville, Colorado. This is an amazing cemetery full of history. If you have been following us for a while, you might be familiar with our story on the Irish immigrant graves lost and forgotten at the back of this very same cemetery. See video of a visit to Texas Jack’s grave below.

Have you ever heard of Texas Jack? Let us know in the comments.

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