Mormons, Shootouts, & Outlaws: Wild West Murder of Frank LeSueur

Aug 7, 2025

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This is a re-broadcast of my 2023 interview with Steve LeSueur. Unfortunately Steve passed away from pancreatic cancer on July 1, 2025.

Mormons were part of the untamed world of the Wild West—complete with outlaws, shootouts, and the kind of drama you’d expect straight out of a western film. In this episode, Steve LeSueur shares the gripping story of his great-uncle Frank LeSueur and his friend Gus Gibbons, who were murdered by the notorious outlaw gang known as The Wild Bunch. There’s even a surprising connection to the infamous Butch Cassidy. Join us as we explore the real dangers Mormons faced on the frontier. Don’t miss our conversation…

https://youtu.be/QcPqQ7TQPrE

Don’t miss our other conversations with Steve: https://gospeltangents.com/people/steve-lesueur/

Gospel Tangents

Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.

Today, we’re sharing a powerful story that highlights the often-overlooked human cost of the Wild West era, brought to life by a historian who deeply personal connection to the past. We’re talking about Steve LeSueur, a wonderful historian and author who sadly passed away in July 2025 due to pancreatic cancer. This post is a tribute to his work and his last interview on Gospel Tangents, where he discussed his remarkable book, Life and Death on the Mormon Frontier: The Murders of Frank LeSueur and Gus Gibbons by The Wild Bunch, published by Greg Kofford Books.

Steve LeSueur was driven to explore a piece of his own family history that had been shrouded in mystery for generations. His great-uncle, Frank LeSueur, was murdered by outlaws in 1900. While his family always knew Frank was killed, the details were scarce, and the killers were believed to have gotten away with little effort to capture them. His grandfather, Carl LeSueur, Frank’s younger brother, was only five when Frank was killed and didn’t have many details to share. For over a century, it was largely considered “some minor episode in western history”.

However, in recent years, historians and biographers specializing in outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid began to point fingers. These historians, some of whom had Mormon ties, suggested that Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch gang were the likely culprits behind Frank’s death. This new information ignited Steve’s interest, drawing him into a deeper investigation.

What truly set Steve’s work apart was his unique perspective: focusing on the victims. As he noted, historians often prioritize the outlaws, their daring heists, and exciting getaways, treating victims as mere “bit players” or “extras in a movie”. Steve, however, looked at the events from the victim’s point of view, reading journals, diaries, and reminiscences left behind by Latter-day Saints in the community. He discovered a compelling story that offered numerous insights into both the outlaws and the community itself. It turns out, not many people have an ancestor killed by a famous outlaw.

Despite the year being 1900, which might sound somewhat modern, the setting for this tragedy was truly still the Wild West. Frank LeSueur’s murder occurred just outside St. Johns, Arizona, a “dusty cattle and sheep town”. In 1900, this town had no electricity and no running water. It was an era where cars and airplanes were not yet commonplace.

Steve LeSueur’s research has profoundly enhanced our understanding of this specific Wild West tragedy, shifting the narrative to those who suffered the most. His book stands as a vital contribution to history, reminding us that every “bit player” has a story worth telling. We miss Steve greatly, and our hearts go out to his family.

Don’t miss our other conversations with Steve: https://gospeltangents.com/people/steve-lesueur/

Gospel Tangents

Except for book reviews, no content may be reproduced without written permission.