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Doc Middleton

1851 – 1913

American outlaw

Outlaw
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About Doc Middleton

Lived 1851 – 1913 (aged 62). Doc Middleton was an American outlaw.

Criminal career Middleton stole his first horse at the age of 14. In 1870, he was convicted of murder and was sentenced to life in prison at the Huntsville Prison. In 1874, he escaped the prison.

He was caught stealing horses in Iowa. After serving 18 months, he moved to Sidney, Nebraska, where he shot and killed a soldier, Pvt. James Keith of the 5th Cavalry Regiment, on January 13, 1877, from nearby Fort Sidney in a bar fight. He was arrested but he escaped as a lynch mob gathered. was dispatched to capture him. Llewellyn, along with an army from detachment under George Crook lured him to a meeting with a promise of a pardon from the governor. In a melee, two of Doc's gang were killed and a lawman named Hazen was wounded but Middleton was captured and was taken to Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he was convicted of grand larceny and served a prison sentence from September 18, 1879, and was released on June 18, 1883. At the time of his 1879 arrest, it was reported that he had stolen thirty-five horses from William Irving of Cheyenne in 1877.

In 1884, he and his third bride moved to Gordon, Nebraska, where he operated a saloon, and was briefly a deputy sheriff.

In 1897, it was reported that he was the City Marshal of Edgemont, South Dakota.

In 1900, he later moved to Gordon, Nebraska. He had a saloon in both Gordon and Ardmore, South Dakota, and he also became the town marshal. In 1913, he moved to Orin Junction, Wyoming, where he opened a saloon. After getting into a knife fight at the bar, he was arrested for dispensing liquor illegally. While in jail, he contracted erysipelas and died. The film uses reenactments and animation, along with interviews from individuals such as Platte County historian Tim Benson, President of the Association of Professional Genealogists Roberta King, Rock County historian Carolyn Hall and Converse County historian Steve Gregersen.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Outlaw
Nationality
Also known as
James Middleton Riley

People in Doc Middleton's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Doc Middleton's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Doc Middleton?

American outlaw (1851–1913)

When was Doc Middleton born?

Doc Middleton was born on 9 February 1851 in Bastrop.

When did Doc Middleton die?

Doc Middleton died on 29 December 1913 in Orin.

What was Doc Middleton's occupation?

Doc Middleton was an outlaw.

What nationality was Doc Middleton?

Doc Middleton was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Doc Middleton

· Wikidata: Q5287094

· DBpedia: Doc Middleton

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Doc Middleton. https://biography.guide/doc-middleton/

MLA: "Doc Middleton." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/doc-middleton/.

Chicago: "Doc Middleton." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/doc-middleton/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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