Bronco Bill Loses Against Wells Fargo

The annals of the American West are replete with tales of daring cowboys, ambitious railroad men, and, inevitably, those who chose a path less traveled, one paved with outlawry and defiance. Among these figures stands William E. Walters, better known as "Bronco Bill," a man whose life unfolded against the backdrop of the sprawling landscapes of the Southwest, a life punctuated by cattle drives, railway work, and ultimately, a descent into the world of train and stagecoach robbery.

Born in 1869 at Fort Sill, Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma), Walters’ early life offered little indication of the path he would eventually tread. He experienced the life of a cowboy, honing the skills of horsemanship and cattle handling that were essential in the burgeoning West. Later, he found employment as a section hand on the Santa Fe Railroad, contributing to the iron veins that were rapidly spreading across the nation, connecting distant communities and fueling economic growth. However, as he approached his thirties, a different ambition began to stir within him, leading him down a path that would ultimately pit him against the formidable forces of law and order, and more specifically, the relentless pursuit of Wells Fargo.

The allure of quick riches and the thrill of the chase proved too strong for Walters to resist. He transitioned from a hardworking laborer to a gun-toting bandit, venturing into the rugged terrain of Arizona. His initial foray into outlawry saw him aligning himself with the infamous Black Jack Ketchum Gang, a notorious group of desperados who terrorized the region with their brazen robberies and disregard for the law. This association provided Walters with valuable experience and a taste for the outlaw life, setting the stage for his own independent ventures.

Emboldened by his time with the Ketchum Gang, Walters struck out on his own, forming his own band of outlaws. They primarily operated in the territories of New Mexico and Arizona, preying on stagecoaches and trains, symbols of the burgeoning commerce and transportation networks of the West. Bronco Bill and his gang quickly gained a reputation for their daring heists and their willingness to use violence to achieve their goals. He was credited with several shootings and numerous stagecoach robberies, earning him the unwelcome attention of law enforcement and the wrath of the Wells Fargo Company.

The Wells Fargo Company, a financial institution deeply intertwined with the development of the American West, was not one to take such affronts lightly. They had a vested interest in ensuring the safe passage of their assets and the protection of their interests. Faced with the escalating threat posed by Bronco Bill and his gang, the company decided to take decisive action. They turned to two of the most seasoned and respected lawmen in the region: Jeff Milton and George Scarborough.

Milton and Scarborough were renowned for their unwavering dedication to justice, their exceptional tracking skills, and their unflinching courage in the face of danger. They were men who embodied the spirit of the Old West, hardened by years of experience and committed to upholding the law in a land often characterized by lawlessness. Wells Fargo entrusted these two men with the task of bringing Bronco Bill and his gang to justice, a mission that would ultimately lead to a dramatic showdown.

The opportunity to apprehend Walters and his gang presented itself at Grants Station, New Mexico. The outlaws attempted to rob a train, but their plans were thwarted by the arrival of lawmen, who engaged them in a fierce gun battle. The bandits were driven off by the heavy gunfire, but the confrontation served as a catalyst for a relentless pursuit. Jeff Milton, with his keen tracking abilities, led a posse in hot pursuit of Walters and his remaining gang members.

The chase led them to a hideout outside of Solomonville, Arizona, where Milton and his posse cornered two of Walters’ men. A fierce gunfight erupted, resulting in the death of one gang member and a serious wound to Bronco Bill himself. The capture of Walters marked a significant victory for law enforcement and a turning point in the outlaw’s career.

Despite his injuries, Walters survived the gunfight and was brought to trial for his crimes. He was convicted of train robbery and sentenced to life in prison, a seemingly fitting end for a man who had terrorized the Southwest for so long. However, fate had other plans in store for Bronco Bill.

In 1917, after serving a portion of his sentence, Walters was released from prison. The reasons for his release remain somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it is possible that factors such as good behavior, health concerns, or political considerations played a role. Upon his release, Walters sought to distance himself from his outlaw past and begin anew.

He relocated to Hachita, New Mexico, a small town in the southwestern part of the state, and took on the relatively unassuming job of a wrangler for the Diamond A Cattle Company. He traded his guns for ropes and his life of crime for the daily grind of ranch work. It seemed as though Bronco Bill was finally ready to embrace a life of peace and anonymity.

Tragically, Walters’ newfound tranquility was short-lived. On June 16, 1921, while repairing a windmill tower on the Diamond A Cattle Company property, he fell to his death. The circumstances surrounding his death suggest it was an accident, a cruel twist of fate that brought an end to the life of a man who had lived on the fringes of society for so long.

Despite his tumultuous life and his eventual demise, the legend of Bronco Bill persists to this day. One enduring aspect of his story is the mystery surrounding the loot he allegedly stole during his train and stagecoach robberies. Legend has it that Walters and his gang amassed a considerable fortune in stolen cash and valuables, but the whereabouts of this treasure remain unknown.

While one might assume that Walters would have returned to recover any buried treasure after his release from prison, there is no evidence to support this. The Wells Fargo loot was never recovered, fueling speculation and intrigue among treasure hunters and history enthusiasts alike. Some believe that the stolen cache may be hidden somewhere in the vicinity of Solomonville, Arizona, the area where Walters was apprehended.

The story of Bronco Bill serves as a compelling reminder of the complex and often contradictory nature of the American West. He was a man who embodied both the rugged individualism and the lawlessness that characterized the era. His life was a testament to the allure of the outlaw life, but also a cautionary tale about the consequences of choosing a path outside the bounds of the law. While his name may not be as widely recognized as some of the other famous outlaws of the West, his story remains a fascinating chapter in the history of the American frontier. The legend of Bronco Bill and the lost Wells Fargo loot continues to capture the imagination of those who are drawn to the romanticism and the mysteries of the Old West.