“Low characters naturally gravitated in this direction where they would be in less danger of the law.  Peaceable men were sometimes forced to become murderers through association with the lawless element who were thrown in their midst.  Questions were not asked of their past.”

-J.R. Austin, 1936, An Early History of Baca County

In the annals of the Old West, few towns remain as obscure as Boston, Colorado. Nestled in the southeastern part of the state, Boston was a short-lived settlement that sprang up in the late 1880s and essentially ended in a gunfight in April of 1889. Despite its brief existence, it is possible the town played a significant role in shaping the entire genre of Western movies.

Thanks to newspaper publisher Sam Konkel, we have a detailed record of this notorious yet short-lived place through a series of 64 articles written in 1918-1919. Most towns that popped up in the American West do not have as complete a record of their events and characters. Konkel’s writings, though mostly prose, preserve the tumultuous history of Boston, Colorado.

The Influence on Western Movies

Boston’s dramatic and often violent history, coupled with colorful characters like Al Jennings, suggests a link to early Western films. The turbulent history of Boston, with its gunfights, influence peddling, political posturing, disputes, and colorful characters, provided rich material for what we see in today’s Western films. The town’s legacy influenced the portrayal of similar towns in movies, creating a template for the classic Western setting:

The turbulent history of Boston, Colorado, with its gunfights, influence peddling, political posturing, disputes, and colorful characters, provided rich material for what we see in today’s  Western films. The town’s legacy influenced the portrayal of similar towns in movies, creating a template for the classic Western setting:

1. Lawlessness and Vigilantism: Boston’s history of lawlessness and the frequent need for vigilantism became a recurring theme in Western movies. Films often depicted towns on the edge of civilization where the law was a distant concept, and justice was often served by the quickest draw.
2. Land and County Seat Wars: The land disputes, town booming and political battles that plagued Boston were mirrored in numerous Western films. These conflicts provided dramatic tension and a backdrop for stories about survival, greed, and justice in the harsh environment of the American frontier.
3. Character Archetypes: The colorful figures who populated Boston, such as outlaws, regulators, and land speculators, became archetypes in Western cinema. The complex characters who lived by their own codes of honor and survival influenced the development of iconic Western personas.

Al Jennings: The Outlaw

Al Jennings, originally known as a train robber, later transitioned into the film industry and had a significant impact on the early Western movie genre. After his release from prison, Jennings leveraged his notorious past to build a career in Hollywood. He starred in and produced several silent films, utilizing his real-life experiences as an outlaw to bring authenticity to his roles. His first notable film was “The Bank Robbery” (1908), which featured actual lawmen and outlaws, including himself, adding a layer of realism uncommon in early Westerns.

Jennings moved to California and worked both as an actor and a technical advisor in the burgeoning motion picture industry, particularly in Westerns. His 1914 film “Beating Back” was based on his own biography, and he continued to work in the industry through the 1920s and 1930s, appearing in films like “The Lady of the Dugout” (1918) and “Fighting Fury” (1924). There is also 1951 movie about his exploits “Al Jennings of Oklahoma” Jennings’ unique background allowed him to portray the Western outlaw in a manner that resonated with audiences, making him a pioneer in the genre.

Al Jennings, a former lawyer turned outlaw, captured the public’s imagination with his dramatic life story. His autobiography, “Beating Back,” co-authored with Will Irwin, paints a vivid picture of his exploits as a train robber and member of a notorious gang​ (Internet Archive)​​ (ThriftBooks)​​ (The Saturday Evening Post)​. Jennings’ life story, full of daring robberies, shootouts, and escapes, became a rich source of material for Western filmmakers.

Elements of Jennings’ Influence

1. Outlaw Romanticism: Jennings’ portrayal in his autobiography and subsequent public appearances romanticized the outlaw lifestyle. His tales of standing against injustice and living by a personal code of honor resonated with audiences and filmmakers, helping to cement the image of the noble outlaw in Western cinema​ (ThriftBooks)​​ (The Saturday Evening Post)​.
2. Dramatic Escapades: The dramatic nature of Jennings’ robberies, such as his infamous but mostly unsuccessful train heists, provided thrilling narratives for Western movies. His stories of using dynamite to blow up safes and outsmarting lawmen created a template for the high-stakes adventures that became a staple in the genre​ (The Saturday Evening Post)​.
3. Complex Characters: Jennings’ background as a lawyer-turned-outlaw added a layer of complexity to his character, influencing the portrayal of multifaceted anti-heroes in Western films. This complexity allowed for deeper storytelling and character development in movies, moving beyond the simple good-versus-evil narratives​ (The Saturday Evening Post)​.

His contribution to early Western films wasn’t just in front of the camera; Jennings also produced and directed, ensuring the authenticity of the Western lifestyle and lore. His work helped to shape the Western genre into a staple of early American cinema.

Konkel’s view on the “Jenningses”

Sam Konkel, editor of the Boston (Colorado) World from 1887-1889, had a nuanced view of the Jennings clan. He noted that while they were talented and courageous, their troubles were often of their own making due to their low moral character and self-serving nature. Konkel once remarked, “As long as you didn’t get in their way they were fine.” 

Konkel’s skepticism of Jennings’ autobiography is evident in his writings in the September 1918 Springfield Democrat-Herald. He acknowledged the basis of Jennings’ stories but suggested that much of it was embellished. He stated, “As to Forney’s(Al’s nickname in Boston)  autobiographical sketch in the Saturday Evening Post, there was a basis for all he says, but you would have to scrape the face-powder off to find it.” Additionally, Konkel bluntly remarked, “The most of Al’s story, as presented in this prologue, is fishy.”

Despite this, Konkel recognized the Jennings’ talents and contributions to the Western narrative: “The Jenningses were talented, and while their morals were of a low order, there wasn’t any questioning their courage.”

The Noble Outlaw Archetype

The combination of Jennings’ real-life exploits and the dramatic history of towns like Boston created a rich tapestry for Western films. Movies began to depict the “Noble Outlaw,” characters with a sense of honor and personal justice, much like Jennings portrayed himself. The noble outlaw archetype embodies a complex blend of rebellion against corrupt authority and adherence to a personal code of ethics, often operating outside the law for morally justifiable reasons.

Another example of Jennings’ tendency to exaggerate is his lawsuit against the producers of The Lone Ranger radio show in 1945. Jennings sued for defamation of character after an episode had the masked man shoot a pistol out of his hand. Jennings maintained that even in the world of make-believe, nobody was good enough to shoot the gun out of the great gunslinger Al Jennings’ hand. The jury was amused, but Jennings lost the case.

Characteristics of the Noble Outlaw

1. Moral Code: Despite their outlaw status, these characters adhere to a strict personal code of ethics. They often champion justice, fairness, and protection of the innocent, even if it means breaking the law.
2. Rebellion Against Corruption: Noble outlaws typically oppose corrupt officials, unjust landowners, or ruthless businessmen. Their criminal activities are framed as necessary actions to combat greater societal evils.
3. Sympathy and Heroism: These characters garner sympathy from the audience due to their honorable motives and actions. They are often portrayed as heroes who are forced into outlaw status by circumstances beyond their control.
4. Complexity and Depth: Unlike traditional villains, noble outlaws are depicted with considerable depth. Their backgrounds often reveal tragic or unjust experiences that led them to a life of crime.
5. Loyalty and Honor: Noble outlaws show strong loyalty to friends, family, and allies. They are often depicted as honorable in their personal relationships, which contrasts with their outlaw activities.

Examples in Western Movies

1. Jesse James: In many portrayals, Jesse James is depicted as a Robin Hood-like figure, stealing from the rich to help the poor and fighting against the oppressive forces of his time.
2. Billy the Kid: Often portrayed as a young, charismatic outlaw with a sense of justice, Billy the Kid is depicted as fighting against the injustices of powerful landowners and corrupt lawmen.
3. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid: This duo is depicted as charming and likable outlaws who rob banks and trains but are shown to have a moral compass and a disdain for killing.
4. The Outlaw Josey Wales: Clint Eastwood’s character Josey Wales is a former Confederate soldier who becomes an outlaw after his family is murdered by Union soldiers. He seeks revenge but also helps those in need, demonstrating a complex blend of vengeance and nobility.

The noble outlaw archetype has had a significant impact on the Western genre, shaping the narratives and moral complexities of many films. This character type challenges the simplistic good-versus-evil dichotomy, offering a more nuanced view of morality and justice in the Wild West. The noble outlaw remains a popular and enduring figure in Western movies, reflecting broader themes of rebellion, justice, and the fight against corruption.

Cultural Legacy

Boston, Colorado, was not just another frontier town; it was a microcosm of the lawlessness and rugged individualism that defined the Old West. Its violent history, documented accounts, and connection to Al Jennings contributed to the portrayal of gritty, dramatic Western narratives in films. Situated 15 miles north of the lawless No Mans Land (today’s Oklahoma Panhandle).  A hunting party from Garden City, Kansas, visiting Boston in December 1888, reported the grim reality of life (and death) in the town. They noted the presence of 18 graves in the local cemetery, with 17 of the deceased having been shot and one hung​ (Baca County History).  Such a stark reminder of the town’s violent history would provide filmmakers with a rich backdrop for their Western narratives even if they may not have known that was one of the sources for Al Jennings depiction of the American West. Although it is pure speculation, it is reasonable to consider that Boston, Colorado, influenced Jennings and his role in developing the Western genre of movies.

While it might seem audacious to claim that Boston, Colorado, influenced an entire genre of movies, the town’s vivid and chaotic history provided a rich backdrop that resonated with the themes of lawlessness, vigilante justice, and survival that are central to Western films. Newspaper publisher Sam Konkel’s detailed accounts preserved this town’s wild legacy, and Al Jennings connection to the early era of Western film making offer a treasure trove of material that filmmakers could draw upon.

Below is the small bit of information about Boston, Colorado from Al Jennings 1913 biography, Beating Back. The reference in the first image to Coldwater is Coldwater, Kansas.