Dalton Raid in Coffeyville Historic Text – Legends of America
On the crisp morning of October 5, 1892, the quiet town of Coffeyville, Kansas, was thrust into the annals of Old West lore as the Dalton Gang attempted a daring daylight robbery. This ill-fated raid, forever etched in history, not only marked the demise of the infamous gang but also showcased the resilience and bravery of the town’s citizens. Newspaper reports from that era vividly capture the unfolding drama, the ensuing chaos, and the aftermath of a day that forever altered Coffeyville’s destiny.
A Town on Edge
In the weeks leading up to the raid, Coffeyville was on high alert. Rumors of the Dalton Gang’s intentions had circulated, prompting the town to organize patrols and maintain a vigilant watch. However, as days turned into weeks without incident, the heightened security measures were relaxed. Unbeknownst to the townspeople, the Daltons were merely biding their time, waiting for the opportune moment to strike.
The Raid Unfolds
At approximately 9 a.m., six members of the Dalton Gang brazenly rode into Coffeyville. Splitting into two groups, they strategically targeted two banks simultaneously: the First National Bank and C.M. Condon & Co.’s Bank. The audacity of the plan was evident, aiming to cripple the town’s financial infrastructure in one fell swoop.
First National Bank: A Clash of Wills
Robert "Bob" Dalton, the gang’s leader, along with his brother Emmett, stormed into the First National Bank. They found Cashier Ayers, his son Albert, and Teller W.H. Sheppard unarmed and quickly subdued them. Bob Dalton, with cold resolve, forced Cashier Ayers to empty the vault and cash drawers, stuffing the money into a sack. Determined to prevent any immediate alarm, the Daltons marched the bank employees out the door, intending to hold them hostage during their escape.
Condon & Co.’s Bank: A Frustrated Attempt
Meanwhile, "Texas Jack" (also known as John Moore) led the other four gang members into Condon & Co.’s Bank. They confronted Cashier Ball and Teller Carpenter, demanding they surrender the money. However, their plans were thwarted when Cashier Ball explained that the safe’s time lock wouldn’t open until 10 a.m. Undeterred, Texas Jack seized the money from the tellers’ drawers, a paltry sum of $2,300, and waited impatiently for the vault to unlock.
The Alarm is Raised
As the Daltons carried out their audacious plan, their presence didn’t go unnoticed. City Marshal Connelly, alerted to the gang’s arrival, swiftly gathered a posse of armed citizens, including Jim Spears, a renowned marksman. Positioning themselves strategically around the square, they prepared to confront the outlaws.
A Bloody Confrontation
As Bob and Emmett Dalton emerged from the First National Bank with their hostages, they were met with a hail of gunfire from Spears and his posse. Bob Dalton, struck in the head, fell dead on the spot. Emmett, narrowly escaping the same fate, sought refuge behind the bank corner.
Inside Condon & Co.’s Bank, the sound of gunfire sent the gang into a frenzy. Texas Jack and his men fired a volley of shots out the windows, hitting Cashier Ayers, who had been standing on the steps of the First National Bank, and a citizen named Charles Brown. Realizing their escape route was compromised, the remaining gang members fled the bank, engaging in a fierce gunfight with the townspeople.
Death in Death Alley
As the outlaws attempted to escape through an alley, they were met with relentless gunfire from the posse. Spears’s deadly aim claimed the lives of Joseph Evans and Texas Jack. In the ensuing chaos, Grat Dalton, Marshal Connelly, George Cubine, and L.M. Baldwin were fatally wounded.
Emmett Dalton, attempting to flee on horseback, was shot and captured. He later confessed to the gang’s crimes before succumbing to his injuries.
Aftermath and Legacy
The Dalton Raid in Coffeyville resulted in the deaths of four gang members (Bob Dalton, Grat Dalton, Emmett Dalton, and Texas Jack) and four townspeople (Marshal Connelly, Cashier Ayers, George Cubine, and Charles Brown). The failed robbery marked the end of the Dalton Gang’s reign of terror, but it also left an indelible mark on Coffeyville.
In the aftermath, the townspeople celebrated their victory over the outlaws. The bodies of the Daltons were displayed in the town square, drawing crowds from near and far. The event became a symbol of the community’s courage and determination to defend itself against lawlessness.
Today, Coffeyville remembers the Dalton Raid as a defining moment in its history. The town has preserved the sites of the gunfight, including the Condon Bank with its bullet-riddled facade, as a reminder of the day when ordinary citizens stood up against extraordinary odds.
Controversies and Disputed Facts
While the general narrative of the Dalton Raid is well-established, some details remain disputed. For instance, the identity of the sixth gang member, who supposedly escaped, is still debated. Some accounts claim it was Allie Ogee, but he later refuted the claim.
The Dalton Gang: A Family of Outlaws
The Daltons were a large family, with five boys and three girls. Before their life of crime, the brothers engaged in cattle rustling and other illegal activities. Their exploits eventually led them to train and stagecoach robberies, gaining notoriety throughout the West.
The Final Chapter
The Dalton Raid in Coffeyville was the gang’s last stand. Their ambition to rob two banks simultaneously proved to be their undoing, as the townspeople rose up to defend their community. The event serves as a testament to the courage and resilience of the American spirit in the face of adversity.
The Dalton Raid in Coffeyville remains a captivating tale of the Old West, a story of outlaws, heroes, and a town that stood its ground against the forces of lawlessness. It is a reminder of a time when the line between right and wrong was often blurred, and when ordinary citizens were called upon to defend their homes and their way of life.