Code Young – Cowboy Outlaw
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of daring outlaws, men who carved their own paths outside the boundaries of the law. Among these figures, Code Young, also known by the aliases Cole Estes, Bob Harris, and Tom Harris, emerges as a shadowy figure, a cowboy-turned-outlaw who roamed the territories of New Mexico and Arizona, leaving a trail of robberies and fleeting notoriety in his wake. His story, though brief, offers a glimpse into the turbulent times and the allure of outlaw life in the late 19th century.
Born in Texas, Code Young initially pursued the life of a cowboy, finding work near Roswell, New Mexico. It was here that fate, or perhaps a shared inclination towards lawlessness, brought him into contact with George Musgrave and Bob Hayes, two other cowboys who harbored similar discontent with the constraints of honest labor. This fateful meeting marked a turning point in Young’s life, setting him on a path that would ultimately lead to his demise.
Drawn by the promise of easy riches and a life of adventure, the trio eventually drifted southward into the southeastern reaches of the Arizona Territory. Here, they encountered the infamous "Black Jack" Christian and his brother Bob. Recognizing a kindred spirit in these men, they joined forces, forming the nucleus of what would become known as the High Fives Gang. The name, derived from a popular card game of the era, belied the seriousness of their criminal activities. The High Fives Gang quickly established a reputation for rustling cattle, robbing banks, trains, and post offices, becoming a thorn in the side of law enforcement and a source of fear for the communities they preyed upon.
Code Young played an active role in the gang’s exploits. Records indicate his participation in the robbery of a general store and post office in Separ, New Mexico, on July 20, 1896. He was also present during the gang’s audacious attempt to rob the International Bank in Nogales, Arizona, on August 6, 1896. These incidents paint a picture of a man deeply entrenched in a life of crime, willing to risk everything for the potential reward.
However, the life of an outlaw is often fraught with peril, and Code Young’s luck was destined to run out. On the night of October 2, 1896, the High Fives Gang set their sights on robbing an eastbound Atlantic and Pacific train near Rio Puerco, New Mexico. Their plan involved ambushing the train as it paused to address an overheated crank pin, a common occurrence in the steam-powered locomotives of the time.
Concealed behind the water tank, the gang lay in wait. As the train began to move forward, three of the outlaws emerged, brandishing their pistols and ordering the engineer, Charles Ross, and fireman, Abe Reed, to halt the train once more. A shot rang out, shattering the brakeman’s lantern, plunging the scene into near darkness. A second shot extinguished the remaining light, further disorienting the train crew. Engineer Ross was forced to uncouple the express car, the intended target of the robbery.
Unbeknownst to the outlaws, their carefully laid plan was about to be disrupted by an unexpected adversary. Among the passengers on board was U.S. Deputy Marshal Will Loomis, a seasoned lawman returning from serving subpoenas in Gallup, New Mexico. Hearing the gunfire, Loomis immediately recognized the signs of a robbery in progress and moved to intervene.
As Engineer Ross struggled to uncouple the express car, Marshal Loomis approached from the rear, firing upon the robbers. One of his shots found its mark, striking Code Young. According to Conductor Sam Heady, who later recounted the events, Young cried out, "I am shot, I can’t come, I’m done for." However, his plea went unanswered as his fellow bandits, fearing capture, immediately fled the scene, leaving their wounded comrade behind. Code Young succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter, marking the end of his brief and tumultuous life as an outlaw.
Marshal Loomis, who had been pursuing the High Fives Gang since mid-August, having tracked them from Santa Fe through Deming to Skeleton Canyon and into Mexico, remained at the scene with Young’s body while the train continued its journey eastward to Isleta Junction. He then arranged for Young’s remains to be transported to Albuquerque.
In Albuquerque, Young’s body was taken to the undertaking rooms of O.W. Strong, where it was viewed by several individuals. Among those who identified the deceased were A.H. Jones and A.G. Stocket, employees of the Atlantic and Pacific machine shop, who claimed to have known Young when he resided in Trinidad, Colorado. Albert V. Read, a cowboy from Deming, New Mexico, identified the body as Cole Estes, a former resident of West Texas, further confirming the outlaw’s true identity.
On October 5, 1896, Code Young, the cowboy outlaw who lived under several aliases, was laid to rest in the public ground of Albuquerque’s Fairview Cemetery. His grave, marked by a simple stone, serves as a silent reminder of the allure and the perils of the outlaw life in the American West. He was born in Texas and would ultimately meet his end in New Mexico.
The story of Code Young serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating the fleeting nature of outlaw fame and the ultimate consequences of choosing a life of crime. While his exploits may have briefly captured the imagination of those who romanticized the Wild West, his legacy remains a testament to the enduring power of law and order. His brief stint with the High Fives Gang would lead to his death and ultimately being buried in an unmarked grave.
In conclusion, the narrative of Code Young is a microcosm of the broader story of the American West, a land of opportunity and danger, where the lines between right and wrong were often blurred, and where the pursuit of freedom could lead down a path of destruction.