MORMON ANGEL: Porter Rockwell killed more men than Wyatt Earp, Doc Holladay & Bat Masterson combined

Some stories attributed to Porter Rockwell are probably apocryphal. I suppose you skipped those as unverified. Two of my favorites: 1) It is said that he denied the attempted assassination of Gov. Boggs by saying, "If it was me, I wouldn't have missed." 2) A mounted gunfighter challenged Rockwell, who was exiting a building at the time, by saying, "I heard you couldn't be killed. I'm here to test that theory" as he pointed his revolver at Rockwell. Rockwell responded, "If you're planning on shooting me with that pistol, you'd better make sure you have a loaded chamber." That made the gunfighter doubt his weapon. He took his eyes off Rockwell just long enough to check his weapon -- long enough for Rockwell to draw and fire, killing the assailant. I have the greatest respect for Porter Rockwell who should only be judged based on the times in which he lived and not by modern standards. There seem to be no stories associated with him that suggest he ever hunted or killed anyone who didn't "need killin'," just as he declared.

Was acused of trying to kill Boggs. Joseph Smith said " No Chance of that. If Porter had tried to kill him he would be dead."

While Porter Rockwell was well known as a skilled rifleman, he was also known to carry a cut down Colt 1860 Army revolver and was reputed to be just as deadly with that belly gun.

My husband's grandmother hated Porter as when her uncle's were young men they stole some horses. Porter found them and dumped their dead, shot through bodies in the yard of their mother and told her to do a better job raising the rest of her children. Porter wasn't wrong.

I consider myself a history buff but I hadn't heard of this guy before. Thanks for the education.

Really was a nice non-biased video, just sticking to facts. Though a bit more to their reunion after the trial, Joseph Smith himself grab Porter and was about to throw him out until he recognized him, that's when Porter was told as long as he didn't cut his hair he would never be harmed. another note, 1 things I learned from the Mormon-Missouri War; Never give up guns, especially when one has to worry about state supported mob violence.

If this account is accurate, it is an amazing story about a man to be respected. I sold life insurance with an office full of Mormons in 1983. Great people....great conviction. The sales manager was a Mormon Bishop. I am not of that religion but I respect men and women of honor. Life insurance is not an easy sale to close. The best sales folks in life insurance are those who have strong family convicctions and want to make sure their loved ones are safe. Be well, all....

A story about the history of the wild West, without deliberately demonizing Mormons?? I can’t believe it! Well done. Finally, an unbiased history channel worth trusting. Subscribed

It was a Mormon that developed weapons that helped saved the US. John Mosses Browning one of my favorite members as well as Rockwell.

What a badass. Underrated Wild West legend for sure. I’m not an active LDS person anymore but I have a bunch of admiration for some of the saints especially Rockwell

You left out one of the best confirmed stories. After the promise from joseph smith that no bullet nor blade could harm him if he remained faithful and did not cut his hair. Later on when he was in California, he met the widow of joseph smith’s brother. She had lost all her hair due to a disease. Knowing the potential consequences and how many men wanted him dead, he did not hesitate before cutting all his own hair off to make a wig for her.

My grandmother always referred to Porter as 'Uncle Port' as he would visit her grandfather's home when her father was a child and get down on the floor to play with the children.

Never heard this story before, thank you from Australia.. What a great voice and story teller you are, I wonder if there was ever a movie made about this remarkable man's life?

A great uncle, Smallwood Valentine Noland of Independence Missouri was shot off his horse while crossing the Blue River by a Mormon armed group. He floated down the river for some distance and survived. Ironically, he later was a peace commissioner between those in Independence and the Mormons, allowing the Mormons to leave without harassment. Noland's home in Independence, Missouri was built in the early 1840's still stands and is on the historic register. Some of my closest friends today are LDS!

One side of my family were Mormons and fled Nauvoo crossing the river into Iowa eventually landing in N Missouri. They made carrot moonshine and farmed a small patch of ground not far from Philadelphia Missouri. As a kid we visited the old homestead, not much left then doubt anything is now. Was a small cave on the Fabius river where they ran their still, we explored it a few times. My great uncle fished a lot of those rivers when I was a kid and he always had to pay his respects when we were in the area.

Rockwell was brought to my attention decades ago as depicted in the TBS movie "The Avenging Angel".....worth the watch

This was a pretty fair recounting of the history too. I am a mormon who grew up in missouri, the morality of the politics of the time aside, the history happened. The executive extermination order was even active on the books until the 1980's. I can appreciate this Legends of the West channel for a remarkably objective retell

Never heard of this man. What an excellent story. Thank you.

An incredible man, of whom I had heard nothing. Great episode - thank you!