One of the typical characters is the saloon girl. In horror stories, she might be the target of a serial killer or have some sort of connection to the supernatural. Then there's the rancher. He could be dealing with his land being invaded by some unearthly forces. There are also the outlaws, who in some old west horror tales, make pacts with the devil and become something truly evil. For example, an outlaw might sell his soul for immortality and then terrorize the small towns in the area.
One common theme is the isolation of the frontier. People in the old west were often far from civilization, which made them vulnerable to all sorts of terrors. Another theme is the idea of vengeance from the past. For example, the ghosts of outlaws who were killed unjustly might come back to haunt the living. Also, the harsh environment itself could be a source of horror, like getting lost in the desolate desert and facing unknown creatures or forces.
Stephen King is a very popular author who has delved into 'old west horror novels'. His 'The Dark Tower' series combines the elements of the old west and horror quite well. Another is Cormac McCarthy with his 'Blood Meridian' which is a very dark and disturbing take on the old west with horror elements.
A less - known but great 'old west horror novel' is 'The Wendigo's Hunt' by Jack Hardy. It's about a group of settlers in the old west who encounter a Wendigo, a terrifying creature from Native American folklore. The author does a great job of building suspense as the settlers struggle to survive in the unforgiving western landscape while being hunted by this supernatural being. It has all the elements of a classic old west story, like cowboys, saloons, and long rides through the desert, but with a horror twist that makes it really stand out.
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.
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.
One characteristic is the tough environment. In old west love stories, the harsh landscape and difficult living conditions often test the love between characters. For example, in many stories, the couple has to face droughts or attacks from outlaws together.
Billy the Kid is also a well - known outlaw story from the old west. He was a young gunfighter who got involved in various conflicts. He had a reputation for being quick on the draw and was constantly on the run from the law. There are many tales of his narrow escapes and his life in the wild west.