Burrow Brothers – Outlaw Train Robbers
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of daring outlaws, individuals who defied the law and carved their names into the history books through acts of rebellion and, often, violence. Among these figures, the Burrow Brothers, Jim and Rube, stand out as notorious train robbers whose exploits captivated and terrified the South and Southwest in the late 19th century. Leading the infamous Burrow Gang, these siblings left a trail of daring heists and close calls with the law, ultimately meeting tragic ends that solidified their place in outlaw lore.
The story of the Burrow Brothers is one of humble beginnings, desperation, and a descent into a life of crime. Born in Alabama, Jim and Reuben "Rube" Houston Burrow initially followed different paths. Rube, born December 11, 1854, in Lamar County, Alabama, started as a farmer in Arkansas. He later migrated to Stephenville, Texas, in 1872, where he tried his hand at ranching. He married in 1876 and became a family man, fathering two children and even becoming a respected member of the Masonic Lodge. However, tragedy struck when his wife succumbed to yellow fever in 1880, leaving him to raise his young children alone. He remarried in 1884 and bought a farm near Alexander, Texas, hoping for a fresh start.
Unfortunately, fate had other plans. When Rube’s crops failed, plunging him into financial hardship, he made a fateful decision: to turn to a life of crime. In 1886, he joined forces with his brother Jim, embarking on a path that would forever alter their lives and etch their names into the history of the Old West.
Their criminal careers began modestly enough. On December 1, 1886, the Burrow Brothers committed their first train robbery in Bellevue, Texas. The haul was meager, netting them only a few hundred dollars. However, this initial success emboldened them, and they began to recruit other outlaws, forming the notorious Burrow Gang. Among their associates were William L. Brock and Leonard Brock, Henderson Brumley, and Nep Thornton.
As the Burrow Brothers and their gang continued their train-robbing spree, their reputation grew. They targeted trains across Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, and Alabama, becoming increasingly audacious in their operations. By early 1888, the Burrow Gang had become the most infamous train robbers since Jesse James, drawing the relentless pursuit of lawmen from across the South and Southwest.
Jim Burrow’s life as an outlaw was destined to be short-lived. In 1888, a conductor recognized the brothers on a train pulling into Nashville, Tennessee. Alerted to their presence, lawmen laid a trap, cornering Rube and Jim in a passenger car. In the ensuing chaos, Rube managed to shoot his way to freedom, escaping the clutches of the law. Jim, however, was not so fortunate. He was captured and imprisoned in Texarkana. Sadly, Jim’s health deteriorated rapidly while in prison, and he succumbed to consumption on October 5, 1888.
The death of his brother did not deter Rube Burrow from his life of crime. With wanted posters plastered throughout the region, he became the subject of one of the most extensive manhunts in American history. Undeterred, the outlaw continued to rob trains, often seeking refuge in Alabama, where locals sympathetic to his plight would provide him with shelter and protection.
However, Rube Burrow’s luck was running out. On October 7, 1890, he made a fatal mistake. While in Linden, Alabama, he was recognized by a store owner named Dixie Carter. As Burrow browsed through rifles, Carter seized the opportunity, pointing his shotgun at the outlaw and locking him in a storeroom. While Carter went to summon the authorities, Burrow managed to escape. Fueled by anger and a desire for revenge, he returned to the store, seeking to kill Carter. Spotting the shopkeeper at the train depot, Burrow opened fire, wounding Carter in the arm. Carter, however, was armed and ready. He drew his revolver and returned fire, hitting Burrow in the stomach. The outlaw collapsed in the street, succumbing to his wounds. Dixie Carter, having brought down one of the most notorious outlaws of the West, recovered from his injury and claimed the reward for Burrow’s capture.
The story of the Burrow Brothers serves as a reminder of the tumultuous times of the Old West, a period marked by lawlessness, desperation, and the allure of quick riches. While their criminal activities cannot be condoned, their daring exploits and tragic fates have cemented their place in the pantheon of American outlaws. Their legacy continues to fascinate, reminding us of a time when the line between right and wrong was often blurred, and the pursuit of freedom could lead down a dangerous path.