The Bloody Trail of Hank Parish: Southern Utah’s Most Notorious Outlaw

A Ghost of the Wild West: Who Was Hank Parish?

Born in Nova Scotia around 1840, Hank Parish became a feared gunslinger whose name struck terror across Southern Utah and beyond. His reputation as a lawless enforcer followed him wherever he went, earning him a place in the infamous annals of the Wild West.

A Deadly Reputation

Hank was known for carrying a sawed-off pistol tucked into his shirt at all times. His life was riddled with violent encounters—many over high-stakes poker games. Between 1879 and 1888, Hank was responsible for multiple killings across Utah, Nevada, and Wyoming. His crimes ranged from fatal shootouts to suspected stagecoach robbery.

The Crimes That Shocked the West

• The Paddock Murder (1879): During a poker game in Eldorado Canyon, Nevada, Hank accused his mining partner Paddock of cheating. The argument ended with Hank shooting Paddock in the desert.

• Saloon Shootings: He was involved in multiple bar fights that ended in gunfire, including the shooting of Jim Greenwood and N. Clark in an Eldorado saloon.

• Silver Reef Stagecoach Heist: In 1885, a stagecoach carrying gold and silver arrived in Silver Reef with one passenger. When a sack of money went missing, Hank and the driver assaulted the passenger. Though arrested, he was quickly released when the stolen money mysteriously reappeared.

• The Duel That Never Was (1888): Hank was set to duel Enos S. Blancett after a heated argument. Before Blancett could arrive, Hank ambushed and killed him in the street.

• The Murder of Pete Thompson (1890): Hank’s final crime occurred in Royal City, Nevada, where he stabbed Thompson during a poker game dispute.

Captured at Last

Despite his cunning and quick draw, Hank’s reign of terror came to an end when Sheriff D. Turner took the dangerous job of arresting him alone. The infamous gunslinger, known for his 17 notches on his gunstock, was finally captured and sentenced to death.

The Hanging of Hank Parish

On December 12, 1890, in Ely, Nevada, Hank Parish stood on the gallows, proclaiming his innocence. He claimed to have killed three men justifiably and insisted he had always been persecuted. Regardless of his final words, justice was carried out, and he was buried in Ely City Cemetery.

A Legacy of Blood and Mystery

Though his name may have faded from history, the legend of Hank Parish lives on in the dusty saloons and ghost towns of Southern Utah. Some say his spirit still roams the lands he once terrorized, forever haunted by the men he left behind.

Would you dare visit the places where Hank Parish once ruled? Join St. George Ghost Tours and uncover the stories of outlaws, hauntings, and lost souls.