The Outlaw Who Refused to Die… Literally

The Outlaw Who Would. Not. Die.

If you’ve ever felt like life is kicking you in the teeth…
…allow me to introduce you to Ben Cravens.

Or as he sometimes liked to be called (when dodging authorities): Charles Maust. 😏

Now, Ben wasn’t your typical Kansas/Oklahoma outlaw.

He didn’t ride into town, rob a bank, get caught, and hang up his boots.

Nope.

Ben had this minor character flaw:

He was just too dang mean to die.

Shot multiple times?

Survived.

Sentenced to 20 years in the Kansas State Pen?

Escaped.

Caught again?

Escaped again.

Cornered by lawmen?

Growled, “Hell no, you can’t kill me.”

(And then, because the drama king that he was, survived. Again.)

The Woodward News declared him locked up for good in 1897.
But ol’ Ben said, “Hold my whiskey.”

And walked out of prison like it had a revolving door.

Then, for extra spice, he vanished.

Not dead.

Not hiding in a cave.

Living peacefully in Missouri under the name Charles Maust, which, let’s be honest, sounds more like a nervous librarian than a man who once shot it out with lawmen on horseback.

When they caught him again and shouted, “Ben Cravens, you outlaw scum!”

He looked them square in the eyes and said:

“Never heard of him.”

For 38 years, he rotted in federal prison at Leavenworth.

Not once did he admit he was anyone other than sweet ol’ Chuck Maust. Sweet shyster from little ole Missouri

Even when he was released in 1947, gray and hobbling, he still claimed:

“You’ve got the wrong man.”

He died in 1950 at age 86.

Still sticking to the lie.

A lifelong commitment to the bit. 💀

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So why tell this ridiculous (but true) tale?

Because sometimes history is more entertaining and inspiring than fiction.

And if you enjoyed this story, you’ll love what’s waiting for you at the Plains Indians and Pioneers Museum in Woodward, Oklahoma.

Even better?

You can pick up the very book where this story came from:

📚 Tales from the Plains Indians and Pioneer Museum

Highly recommended.

Not just for history buffs, but for anyone who appreciates a good tale, a wild past, and a reminder that our ancestors were just as wild, weird, and fascinating as we are.

So go visit.

Take the kids. Take your skeptical friend. Take a selfie with a ghost (probably).

Just don’t leave without that book.

Because in a world that tries to tame us, maybe we all need a little more outlaw in our blood. 😉

Yours in full Cravens-mode,
Matt West