Frank “Blockey” Jackson – Riding With Sam Bass

The annals of the American West are filled with figures both romanticized and vilified, individuals who carved their paths through a landscape of opportunity and hardship, often skirting the edges of the law. Among these characters, the name Frank “Blockey” Jackson emerges, a man whose life intertwined with that of the notorious outlaw Sam Bass. This is the story of Frank “Blockey” Jackson, a Texan whose journey took him from the trade of a tinsmith to the daring exploits of a bank robber and, ultimately, to a life shrouded in mystery.

Born in the burgeoning state of Texas in 1856, Frank “Blockey” Jackson entered the world during a period of significant transformation. Texas, having recently joined the Union, was a land of vast open spaces, economic opportunity, and social upheaval. Details surrounding Jackson’s early childhood are scarce, but it is known that he was orphaned at a young age, a circumstance that undoubtedly shaped his future trajectory.

Following the loss of his parents, young Frank “Blockey” Jackson was apprenticed to a tinsmith. Tinsmithing, a vital trade in the 19th century, involved crafting everyday objects from tinplate, such as cookware, lanterns, and household items. This profession demanded precision, patience, and a certain level of artistic skill. However, Jackson’s temperament seemed ill-suited to the meticulous nature of the trade.

By the age of 20, Jackson had abandoned the quiet life of a craftsman and embraced the rugged existence of a cowboy. He found employment on the Murphy Ranch in Denton, Texas, a sprawling cattle operation that provided him with a livelihood and a sense of purpose. Little did he know that this seemingly innocuous job would lead him down a path of infamy. The Murphy Ranch, as fate would have it, served as one of the hideouts for the infamous Sam Bass and his gang.

Sam Bass, a name that echoed with both fear and admiration throughout Texas, was a charismatic and daring outlaw. He and his gang were known for their audacious robberies of banks and trains, acts that challenged the authority of the law and captured the imagination of the public. It was within this environment that Frank “Blockey” Jackson found himself drawn into a life of crime.

The catalyst for Jackson’s descent into outlawry was a violent encounter with a man named Henry Goodall, who was accused of horse theft. An argument erupted between the two men, culminating in Jackson shooting Goodall and, in a brutal act of finality, cutting his throat. This act of violence marked a turning point in Jackson’s life, transforming him from a simple cowboy into a fugitive from justice.

Now officially an outlaw, Frank “Blockey” Jackson cast his lot with the Sam Bass Gang. The gang, composed of a motley crew of desperados, operated with a boldness that bordered on recklessness. They targeted banks and trains across Texas, amassing considerable wealth and notoriety in the process. Jackson, with his skills as a horseman and his newfound willingness to use violence, quickly became a valuable member of the gang.

The life of an outlaw was one of constant risk, and the Sam Bass Gang knew that their days of freedom were numbered. The Texas Rangers, a legendary law enforcement agency known for their tenacity and effectiveness, were relentlessly pursuing them. The inevitable confrontation came on July 19, 1878, when the gang attempted to rob a bank in Round Rock, Texas.

Unbeknownst to Bass and his men, the Texas Rangers had been tipped off about their plans. As the gang approached the bank, they were met with a hail of gunfire. A fierce gunfight erupted, turning the streets of Round Rock into a chaotic battleground. Seaborn Barnes, a member of the gang, was struck in the head and killed instantly. Sam Bass himself was severely wounded, a devastating blow to the gang’s morale and their chances of escape.

Despite his injuries, Bass managed to mount his horse and flee the scene, with Frank “Blockey” Jackson providing crucial assistance. The two men rode hard, attempting to outrun the pursuing Rangers. However, Bass’s wounds were too severe, and he was unable to maintain the pace.

The following day, Bass was found lying helpless in a pasture north of Round Rock. He was taken back to town, where he succumbed to his injuries without revealing any information about Jackson’s whereabouts or the gang’s remaining plans. The death of Sam Bass marked the end of an era, but the fate of Frank “Blockey” Jackson remained uncertain.

Following the shootout in Round Rock and the death of Sam Bass, Frank “Blockey” Jackson vanished from the public eye. His escape was considered the "ultimate escape" by some. For a man who was now associated with some of the most wanted criminals in Texas, Jackson was able to vanish without a trace. The subject of countless rumors and speculations, Jackson’s movements are now nothing more than conjecture.

One popular theory suggests that Jackson fled to New Mexico, where he assumed a new identity and became a successful rancher. This narrative paints a picture of a man who managed to leave his past behind and build a respectable life for himself. It is believed that he lived out his days in relative anonymity, dying around 1930.

The story of Frank “Blockey” Jackson is a testament to the complexities of the American West. It is a tale of a man who, through a series of fateful events, found himself caught in a web of violence and crime. While his association with Sam Bass cemented his place in the annals of outlaw history, the details of his life after the Round Rock shootout remain shrouded in mystery, leaving us to wonder about the true fate of the man known as Frank “Blockey” Jackson.