Sam Bass and His Train Robber Gang

By James B. Gillett, 1921

The era of the Wild West, a period etched in American lore with tales of daring outlaws and frontier justice, saw the rise and fall of many infamous figures. Among them stands Sam Bass, a name synonymous with train robbery and outlawry. He commanded not one, but two distinct gangs during his brief but impactful criminal career: the Black Hills Bandits (1876-1877) and the Sam Bass Gang of Texas (1877-1878). His exploits, though ultimately leading to his demise, cemented his place in the annals of Western legend.

Born on July 21, 1851, in Mitchell, Indiana, to Daniel and Elizabeth Jane Bass, Sam Bass‘s early life offered little hint of the path he would eventually tread. He migrated to Texas while still a young boy, finding employment with Sheriff Everhart of Denton County. Up until his early adulthood, he was considered an upright and honest individual. A turning point arrived when Bass acquired a small race pony, a spirited sorrel mare.

The allure of the racetrack proved to be a powerful distraction. As the local boys gathered in Denton on Saturday evenings, Sam Bass found success racing his pony. Sheriff Everhart, observing Sam’s growing neglect of his duties due to his equine passion, recognized the potential for trouble. He wisely advised Sam to sell the mare, but Bass hesitated, deeply attached to the animal. Eventually, the sheriff issued an ultimatum: relinquish the horse or forfeit his job. Bass promptly chose the former, a decision that likely marked a pivotal shift in his life’s trajectory.

In the spring of 1877, Sam Bass departed Denton County, journeying to San Antonio. The city buzzed with the activity of cattlemen preparing for the spring cattle drive northward. Joel Collins, a cattleman planning to drive a herd from Uvalde County to Deadwood, South Dakota, hired Bass as a cowboy. After six arduous months on the trail, the herd arrived in Deadwood, where it was sold, and Collins paid off his crew.

Deadwood, at that time, was a quintessential boomtown, fueled by the mining frenzy and attracting a diverse population of adventurers, gamblers, miners, and cattlemen. Joel Collins, however, succumbed to the town’s temptations. Despite acquiring his cattle on credit and owing a significant portion of the sale proceeds to his Texas creditors, he gambled away the entire sum. Realizing his predicament and lacking the moral fortitude to face his debts, Collins became desperate. He formed a band of his cowboys, later known as the Black Hills Bandits, and initiated a series of stagecoach robberies. These heists yielded minimal financial gain but served as the catalyst that set Sam Bass upon his criminal path.

In the autumn of 1877, Collins, accompanied by Bass, Jack Davis, Jim Berry, Bill Heffridge, and Tom Nixon, left Deadwood and traveled south to Ogallala, Nebraska. It was here that Collins conceived and executed a daring plan: the robbery of a Union Pacific train. The six men, armed and masked, stormed the train at Big Springs, a small station just beyond Ogallala. They demanded that the express messenger open the safe. The messenger explained that the safe was equipped with a time lock and could only be opened at the journey’s end. One of the robbers, enraged, began assaulting the messenger with his pistol, threatening to kill him unless the safe was opened. Bass, known for his inherent compassion, intervened, urging the man to stop and stating that he believed the messenger’s claim. Just as the robbers were about to abandon their efforts, one of them noticed three sturdy boxes near the large safe. Seizing a coal pick, he pried open the top box, revealing $20,000 in gleaming gold coins. Each of the three boxes contained a similar amount, all in $20 gold pieces.

After securing the gold, the robbers systematically looted the passengers, netting approximately $1,300. By dawn, they had concealed their loot and returned to Ogallala. They lingered in town for several days while railroad officials, U.S. Deputy Marshals, and sheriff’s posses scoured the countryside in search of the perpetrators.

Collins and his crew frequented a large general store. The store clerk, a former express messenger for the Union Pacific, had extensive knowledge of the company’s operations. The train robbery was the dominant topic of conversation in town. The clerk, whom we’ll call Moore for clarity, engaged Collins and his gang in discussions about the heist. The bandits even offered to assist in the hunt for the robbers, feigning interest in a potential reward.

Moore’s suspicions grew, and he became convinced that Collins and his men were the true culprits. He concealed his belief but kept a close watch on the group. Eventually, Collins informed Moore that he and his companions were returning to Texas to drive another herd of cattle north the following spring. After Collins had been gone for a day, Moore hired a horse and followed him. He quickly identified the suspects’ route and, on the second day, unexpectedly encountered them at a roadside farmhouse. Moore passed by unnoticed and hid himself near the trail. Collins and his men soon continued their journey, and Moore trailed them until they made camp. Under the cover of darkness, the amateur detective crept closer to the bandits, but they were asleep, and he gained no information.

The next day, Moore resumed his pursuit. He observed the gang making camp for the night and again approached them undetected. The bandits had built a large fire and were talking and laughing. They spread out a blanket and, to Moore’s astonishment, produced money bags and emptied sixty thousand dollars in gold onto the blanket. From his concealed vantage point, he overheard the robbers discussing the heist. They believed they remained undetected and decided to divide the money, separate into pairs, and go their separate ways. The coin was divided into six piles, each man receiving $10,000 in $20 gold pieces. Collins and Bill Heffridge would return to San Antonio, Texas; Sam Bass and Jack Davis would head to Denton County, Texas; and Jim Berry and Tom Nixon would return to the Berry home in Mexico, Missouri.

As soon as Moore witnessed the money and learned of the robbers’ plans, he slipped back to his horse and rode day and night to Ogallala. He informed the railroad officials of what he had seen, providing the names and descriptions of the bandits and their destinations. This information was disseminated across southern Nebraska, Kansas, Indian Territory, and Texas. The fugitive list sent to each company of the Frontier Battalion of Texas Rangers described Sam Bass as: "25 to 26 years old, 5 feet 7 inches high, black hair, dark brown eyes, brown mustache, large white teeth, shows them when talking; has very little to say."

Shortly after their separation in Nebraska, Joel Collins and Bill Heffridge arrived at Buffalo Station, Kansas. They led a pack pony. Dismounting and leaving their horses in the shade of the store, they entered to make purchases. The railroad agent, aware of the search for the train robbers, engaged Collins in conversation. During their discussion, he deliberately exposed a letter bearing his name. The agent, a shrewd observer, asked Collins if he had driven a herd of cattle north that spring. Collins admitted that he had and eventually confirmed his identity.

A lieutenant of the United States Army, with a troop of ten men, was camped a few hundred yards from Buffalo Station, scouting for the train robbers. As soon as Collins and Heffridge remounted, the agent alerted the lieutenant, pointing out the bandits and declaring, "There go two of the Union Pacific train robbers!"

The army officer pursued Collins and Heffridge. Upon overtaking them, he informed them that their descriptions matched those of the train robbers and that they would have to return to the station for identification. Collins scoffed at the idea, claiming they were cattlemen returning to Texas. They reluctantly turned back with the soldiers. After riding a short distance, the two robbers held a whispered conversation. They suddenly drew their pistols and attempted to resist the lieutenant and his troop. The outlaws were promptly shot and killed. An examination of their packs revealed $20,000 in gold hidden in the legs of a pair of overalls. None of the stolen money had been spent, leaving no doubt as to their identity.

Not long after the division in Nebraska, Jim Berry appeared at his home in Mexico, Missouri. He deposited a significant amount of money in the local bank and exchanged $3,000 in gold for currency, explaining that he had sold a mine in the Black Hills. Within a few days, the county sheriff learned of Berry’s deposits and examined the gold, confirming his suspicions.

That night, the sheriff and a posse surrounded Berry’s house, but the suspect was not there. The house was well-stocked, and the posse found newly purchased clothing. Just after dawn, while searching the premises, the sheriff heard a horse whinny in nearby timber. He discovered Jim Berry sitting on a pallet. Berry attempted to flee but was shot in the knee, shattering it. He was taken home and given medical attention, but gangrene set in, and he died within days. Most of his $10,000 was recovered. Tom Nixon apparently left Berry’s company somewhere along the way and escaped with his share of the loot, never to be apprehended.

After the separation in Nebraska, Sam Bass and Jack Davis sold their ponies and purchased a light spring wagon and a pair of workhorses. They concealed their gold coins at the bottom of the wagon, covered with bedding and clothes, and traveled through Kansas and Indian Territory to Denton County, Texas. Bass later recounted that during their journey, they camped within 100 yards of a detachment of cavalry. After supper, they visited the soldiers’ camp and chatted with them until bedtime. The soldiers, unaware of their true identities, mentioned that they were searching for the Union Pacific train robbers and that two had been reported killed in Kansas.

This rumor put Bass and Davis on alert. Upon reaching Denton County, Texas, they hid in the Elm Bottoms until Bass could consult with friends. He learned that the law officers possessed the names and descriptions of all the Union Pacific train robbers, that Collins, Heffridge, and Berry had been killed, and that every sheriff in North Texas was searching for Davis and himself. Davis urged Bass to flee to South America, but Bass refused. Davis bid Sam farewell and departed alone, never to be captured. On his deathbed, Bass claimed to have received a letter from Jack Davis, written from New Orleans, Louisiana, inviting Bass to join him in a hide-buying business.

Bass had left Denton County as an honest young man, but through association with criminals, he had transformed into one of the most daring outlaws and train robbers of his time. Before he committed any crimes in Texas, law officers attempted to capture him for the reward offered by the Union Pacific and the express company, but the terrain and Bass’s network of friends hampered their efforts.

Bass’s money soon attracted desperate men to him. Henry Underwood, Arkansas Johnson, Jim Murphy, Frank Jackson, Pipes Herndon, William Collins (a cousin of Joel Collins), and others joined him in the Elm Bottoms. Bass was chosen as the leader. He planned and executed his first train robbery in Texas at Eagle Ford, a station on the Texas Pacific Railroad near Dallas. Subsequently, the gang held up two or three other trains, the last at Mesquite Station, east of Dallas, securing about $3,000. They faced resistance there, as the conductor, armed with a small pistol, fought back and wounded one of the robbers.

The train robberies sparked outrage throughout the state. General John B. Jones arrived in Dallas and Denton to assess the situation and organized a company of Texas Rangers in Dallas, commanded by Captain June Peak. However, the raw recruits were no match for Bass and his gang. Counting the Rangers and the various sheriff’s posses, approximately 100 men pursued the Bass Gang. Sam played a game of cat and mouse with them, rarely venturing beyond Stephens County to the west or Wise County to the north, typically remaining in Dallas, Denton, or Tarrant Counties. He would often visit Fort Worth or Dallas at night, arriving with his men at an outside saloon, buying drinks for everyone, and then disappearing.

In a fight at Salt Creek in Wise County, Captain June Peak and his Texas Rangers killed Arkansas Johnson, Bass’s most trusted lieutenant. Shortly before or after this battle, the Rangers captured Pipes Herndon and Jim Murphy, driving Bass and his remaining companions out of North Texas. At that time, the state had six companies of veteran Rangers on the frontier, well-equipped and highly trained. Any one of these commands could have dismantled the Sam Bass Gang more quickly than the new recruits.

After the fight on Salt Creek, only Sam Bass, Seaborn Barnes, and Frank Jackson remained of the once formidable gang. Having gained little from their robberies in North Texas and facing constant pursuit, Bass reluctantly decided to flee to Mexico. General Jones learned of this plan through informants and enlisted the help of Jim Murphy, captured around the time of the Salt Creek fight. Murphy, facing federal charges for train robbery, was promised release if he betrayed his friend.

Murphy hesitated, citing Bass’s kindness to his family, but General Jones reminded him that Bass was an outlaw preparing to leave the state. He warned Murphy of a likely federal prison sentence and urged him to consider his family. Murphy agreed to betray Bass.

As planned, Murphy posted bond and failed to appear at the federal court in Tyler, Texas. This was publicized, creating the impression that Murphy had rejoined Bass. Murphy met Bass in the Elm Bottoms of Denton County, proposing a train or bank robbery to fund their escape. Bass’s friends, suspicious of Murphy, warned Sam that Murphy was playing a double game and should be killed. Bass confronted Murphy, reminding him of his generosity towards Murphy’s family. He accused Murphy of betrayal. Barnes agreed with Bass, urging Murphy’s death.

Jackson declared that he had known Murphy since childhood and vouched for his sincerity. Bass, still suspicious, insisted on Murphy’s execution. Jackson then stated that they would have to kill him first. Jackson, despite being the youngest, held considerable influence over Bass. Bass needed Jackson’s courage and daring and spared Murphy’s life. The bandits decided to leave the country, planning to rob a bank en route to Mexico.

Bass, Seaborn Barnes, Frank Jackson, and Jim Murphy left Denton County in July 1878. Bass traveled the public highway in broad daylight. Bass and Barnes remained suspicious of Murphy and kept him under constant surveillance. Reaching Waco, the gang camped outside the town and scouted the situation. Jackson wanted to rob a bank with a large amount of gold and currency, but Bass considered it too risky.

While in Waco, Bass paid for drinks with a $20 gold piece, remarking, "There goes the last 20 of the Union Pacific money and d—n little good it has done me." Leaving Waco, the robbers stole a mare and traveled to Belton. They were out of money and planned to rob the bank in Round Rock, Texas.

General Jones was concerned about the gang. Jim Murphy had been unable to communicate with the authorities. It seemed he would be forced to participate in the next robbery.

In Belton, Sam Bass sold a pony. The buyer requested a bill of sale. While Bass and Barnes were writing it, Murphy sent a note to General Jones: "We are on our way to Round Rock to rob the bank. For God’s sake, be there to prevent it." He mailed the letter just before Bass returned. The gang continued to Round Rock and camped near the old town, planning to rest before the robbery. This delay allowed General Jones to assemble his Rangers.

After being made Adjutant-General of Texas, Major Jones sent a detachment of Rangers to camp on the Capitol grounds in Austin. This allowed him to quickly dispatch them anywhere needed. At that time, four men from Company “E” were camped at Austin.

Upon receiving Murphy’s letter, General Jones was surprised that Bass would attempt to rob a bank so close to the capital. He ordered Corporal Wilson to carry orders to Lieutenant Reynolds in San Saba, 115 miles away.

Wilson reached Lampasas and caught the stage to San Saba, delivering the orders to Reynolds.

General Jones ordered the three Rangers in Austin to proceed to Round Rock and conceal themselves until he arrived. The following morning, General Jones went to Round Rock with Morris Moore, a former Ranger. He informed Deputy Sheriff Grimes of Williamson County that Bass was expected and advised him to wait for the Rangers.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Nevill delivered Reynolds’ orders: “Bass is at Round Rock. We must be there as early as possible tomorrow. Make a detail of eight men… ready to ride in thirty minutes.”

Lieutenant Reynolds ordered two mules hitched to a hack, as he was ill.

In 30 minutes, the Rangers were ready. They traveled all night, reaching the North Gabriel River in the morning. They had a quick breakfast and reached the vicinity of old Round Rock in the afternoon. They camped on Brushy Creek while the lieutenant reported to General Jones.

Bass planned to rob the bank on Saturday. On Friday evening, the gang rode to town to survey the bank. Murphy suggested stopping at May’s store for corn. Bass, Barnes, and Jackson rode on, noting the bank’s location. They entered Copprel’s store to buy tobacco. Deputy Sheriff Moore told Deputy Sheriff Grimes that one of the newcomers had a pistol.

“I will go in and see,” replied Grimes.

“I believe you have a pistol,” remarked Grimes, approaching Bass.

“Yes, of course, I have a pistol,” said Bass. The robbers drew their guns and killed Grimes. They shot Moore as he drew his weapon.

Dick Ware, in a barbershop nearby, rushed into the street and encountered the robbers. Bass and his men fired, one bullet hitting a hitching post near Ware’s head. Ware fought the robbers. General Jones, arriving from the telegraph office, joined the fight. Connor and Harold joined in. Every man in town who could secure a gun joined the fight.

The bandits reached their horses and fought with desperation. Jackson unhitched Bass’s horse and helped him into the saddle, while holding off the Rangers. Jackson and Bass escaped. Murphy, standing in May’s store, saw them go by, Jackson holding Bass, who was pale and bleeding.

Lieutenant Reynolds entered Round Rock and met citizens and Rangers pursuing the robbers.

The fugitives reached the cemetery and secured a Winchester. The fight had been brought on prematurely by the deputies. Moore and Grimes should have known the strangers were the Sam Bass Gang.

Lieutenant Reynolds sent Sergeant Nevill and his Rangers to search for the bandits. They found a man lying under an oak tree, who identified himself as Sam Bass.

After entering the woods, Bass became too weak to continue. Jackson dismounted and wanted to stay with him.

“No, Frank,” replied Bass. “I am done for.”

He told Jackson to tie his horse nearby and escape.

At daylight, Bass walked to a nearby house and asked for water. The lady sent him a cup of water. He was found under a tree an hour later. He had a wound through his left hand.

Bass’s death wound was inflicted by Dick Ware. The bullet struck Bass’s belt, cut cartridges, and entered his back, damaging his right kidney. He suffered greatly.

Bass was taken to Round Rock and died the following day, July 21, 1878. General Jones asked him to reveal his confederates.

Bass refused to betray his friends.

Sam Bass was buried in the cemetery at Old Round Rock. His grave is marked with a simple inscription.

Jackson returned to Denton County, hoping to kill Murphy.

Murphy learned that Jackson was hiding in the Elm Bottoms and sought protection in jail. He drank poison and died. Remorse, no doubt, caused him to end his life.