Elza Lay – Cassidy’s Best Pard
The American West, a land of vast landscapes and burgeoning opportunity, also fostered an era of outlawry, where figures like Butch Cassidy and his infamous Wild Bunch carved their names into history. Among these notorious characters was William Ellsworth "Elza" Lay, a close confidant of Cassidy and a significant participant in the gang’s daring exploits. The story of Elza Lay is one of youthful adventure, criminal enterprise, and eventual redemption, a narrative that reflects the complexities of the Old West.
Elza Lay, also known to William McGinnis as Elzy Lay and William McGinnis, was an outlaw member of Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch, operating out of the Hole-in-the-Wall Pass in Johnson County, Wyoming; Lay also sometimes rode with the Ketchum Gang in New Mexico. Born on November 25, 1869, in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, to James Landon Lay and Mary Jane Bellew, Lay’s early life was marked by a westward migration. Shortly after his birth, the family relocated to northeastern Colorado, where the young Lay experienced the rugged life of the frontier. This formative period undoubtedly instilled in him a sense of independence and a yearning for adventure that would later define his path.
At the tender age of 18, Elza Lay left his family home, driven by a thirst for excitement and a desire to forge his own destiny. He embarked on this journey alongside his childhood friend, William McGinnis. While McGinnis soon returned to the familiarity of home, Lay remained, embracing the uncertainties and opportunities that lay ahead. During this period, he would occasionally use the alias "McGinnis" while working as a ranch hand, a testament to his evolving identity and the secrets he began to accumulate.
A pivotal moment in Elza Lay’s life occurred in 1889 when he crossed paths with Butch Cassidy while working on a ranch in Wyoming. The two men quickly formed a strong bond, drawn together by their shared ambition and rebellious spirits. This friendship would prove to be a defining force in Lay’s life, leading him down a path of outlawry and adventure.
During this time, Lay also became romantically involved with Josie Bassett, the daughter of a local rancher who frequently supplied beef and horses to the outlaws. Meanwhile, Cassidy himself began courting Josie’s younger sister, the 15-year-old Anne Bassett, who would later become a notorious outlaw in her own right. This intertwining of relationships highlights the close-knit nature of the outlaw community and the complex dynamics that existed within it.
Before fully embracing a life of crime, Elza Lay briefly worked on the ranch of cattleman Matt Warner. It was Warner who provided Lay with his first taste of robbery, informing him of a shopkeeper nearby who possessed a significant sum of cash. Lay, along with Warner and his nephew Lew McCarty, successfully robbed the man, dividing the spoils among themselves. This initial foray into criminal activity would serve as a catalyst for Lay’s future involvement with the Wild Bunch.
Seeking to capitalize on his newfound wealth, Lay ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, opening a gambling house in Vernal, Utah. For a time, the venture proved profitable, attracting a steady stream of patrons eager to test their luck. However, Lay’s success was short-lived, as Uintah County Sheriff John T. Pope eventually shut down the establishment.
Following the closure of his gambling house, Elza Lay returned to Matt Warner’s ranch, where he rekindled his relationship with Josie Bassett. He remained there until Butch Cassidy’s release from an 18-month prison sentence, a period that undoubtedly solidified their bond and set the stage for their future exploits together.
Upon Cassidy’s return, Lay fully committed himself to a life of outlawry, joining the ranks of the Wild Bunch. Renowned for his intelligence and strategic thinking, Lay quickly became an integral member of the gang, participating in numerous robberies and even planning several of them. His contributions were crucial to the Wild Bunch’s success, solidifying his reputation as a skilled and dependable outlaw.
One of the Wild Bunch’s most audacious heists, in which Lay played a key role, occurred in April 1897 at Castle Gate, Utah. The gang successfully robbed a payroll shipment, netting approximately $8,000 – a substantial sum at the time. This daring act further cemented the Wild Bunch’s notoriety and established them as a force to be reckoned with in the American West.
Lay continued to operate with the Wild Bunch until the daring robbery of the Union Pacific train at Wilcox, Wyoming, on June 2, 1899. This event would mark a turning point in Lay’s life, leading him down a different path and ultimately separating him from the gang he had become so closely associated with.
On July 11, 1899, Lay participated in a train robbery with the Ketchum Gang in New Mexico. During the heist, he sustained injuries but managed to escape capture. However, his luck ran out on August 16, when law enforcement apprehended him. He was subsequently tried, convicted, and sentenced to a term in the New Mexico Territorial Prison.
Despite his criminal past, Elza Lay’s story does not end in despair. In 1906, after serving his sentence, he was released from prison and returned to Wyoming, settling in Baggs. There, he embarked on a new chapter in his life, running a saloon and seeking to establish himself as a legitimate member of society.
Several years later, Lay married, started a family, and moved to California. This marked a significant departure from his outlaw past, as he embraced the responsibilities of a husband and father. Aside from an alleged visit to the Bassett sisters, Lay had no other known contact with members of the Wild Bunch after his release from prison.
William Ellsworth "Elza" Lay died in Los Angeles, California, in 1934. He was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, near Los Angeles, his final resting place a testament to the complex and multifaceted life he had led. His story serves as a reminder of the allure and dangers of the Wild West, the complexities of human nature, and the possibility of redemption even after a life of crime. He will always be remembered as Elza Lay – Cassidy’s best pard.