One of the most famous is the story of Jesse James. He was a bank and train robber. His gang carried out numerous heists, and he became a sort of Robin Hood - like figure in some people's eyes, though he was still an outlaw. He was eventually betrayed and killed by a member of his own gang.
One of the best is 'True Grit' by Charles Portis. It has a great story of a young girl seeking revenge with the help of a tough U.S. Marshal. Another good one is 'The Ox - Bow Incident' which shows the dark side of mob justice in the Wild West. And 'Riders of the Purple Sage' by Zane Grey is also a classic, with its vivid descriptions of the western landscape and the conflicts between outlaws and settlers.
A really good one is 'The Virginian' by Owen Wister. It's often considered one of the first great western novels. The main character, the Virginian, has to deal with outlaws and uphold justice in the wild west. The book does a great job of showing the code of the west and the relationships between different characters.
Another good option is 'The Ox - Bow Incident' by Walter Van Tilburg Clark. It delves into the dark side of the wild west with the story of a lynching. There are outlaws and the sense of the wild and lawless nature of the west. The characters are complex and their interactions add to the overall appeal of the book.
Jesse James was also very famous. He led a gang of outlaws and they carried out numerous bank and train robberies. His story was a complex one, with some seeing him as a hero fighting against the big banks and railroads, while others saw him simply as a criminal. His daring raids and narrow escapes made him a popular figure in old west gunfighter lore.
One of the best old west stories is about the Earp brothers in Tombstone. Wyatt Earp, along with his brothers Virgil and Morgan, were involved in the famous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. It was a clash between the lawmen and a group of outlaws. Their actions in upholding the law in a wild and lawless town became legendary.
One of the best outlaw stories is that of Robin Hood. He robbed from the rich and gave to the poor in Sherwood Forest. His band of Merry Men fought against the unjust Sheriff of Nottingham. Another great outlaw story is Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. They were famous outlaws in the American West, known for their train robberies and their ability to evade the law for a long time. The third one could be Jesse James. He was a controversial figure, a Confederate guerilla during the Civil War who later turned to bank and train robbery.
There was an old lady who lived on the border between Tennessee and Florida. One day, an outlaw came through the area. This outlaw was known for causing trouble in both states. The old lady, being a tough character, didn't take any nonsense. When the outlaw tried to hide in her barn, she found him. She told him that she knew all about his deeds and that if he didn't leave at once, she would call the authorities. The outlaw, fearing her determination, quickly fled the area and was never seen in those parts again.
A common theme is the struggle between good and evil. You often have the law - abiding citizens like sheriffs fighting against outlaws. Another theme is the search for wealth, like prospecting for gold.