George Curry – Member of the Wild Bunch
The annals of the American West are replete with tales of daring outlaws, audacious heists, and relentless pursuit. Among the notorious figures who etched their names into this rugged tapestry was George Curry, a Canadian-American robber inextricably linked to the infamous Wild Bunch. His story, a blend of youthful transgression, violent escapades, and a fateful encounter with the law, offers a glimpse into the volatile world of the late 19th-century frontier.
Born on the serene Prince Edward Island, Canada, around 1864, George Curry’s early life provided little indication of the path he would eventually tread. His family emigrated to Nebraska while he was still a child, transplanting him from the pastoral landscapes of eastern Canada to the burgeoning heartland of America. It was here, in the vast and untamed territories of the West, that George Curry’s life began to take a dramatic turn.
By the age of fifteen, restless and drawn by the allure of the open range, George Curry drifted westward. He soon found himself entangled in the illicit world of cattle rustling, a common practice in the sparsely populated regions where livestock was a valuable commodity. It was during this period, according to legend, that an unfortunate encounter with a horse resulted in a disfigured nose, earning him the unflattering but memorable nicknames "Flat Nose" and "Big Nose." This physical alteration, coupled with his growing reputation as a lawless figure, cemented his identity as an outlaw.
The lure of greater opportunities and a life beyond petty theft soon led George Curry to the ranks of the Wild Bunch, a loosely organized gang of outlaws led by the charismatic Butch Cassidy. The Wild Bunch, also known as the Doolin-Dalton gang, operated across several states, preying on banks, trains, and stagecoaches. They were renowned for their audacity and their ability to evade law enforcement, becoming a symbol of defiance against the encroaching forces of civilization.
It was within the Wild Bunch that George Curry crossed paths with another notorious outlaw, Harvey Logan. Logan, known for his fiery temper and deadly skills, adopted Curry’s surname, becoming forever known as Kid Curry. This association further solidified George Curry’s place within the outlaw fraternity and marked the beginning of a long and turbulent partnership.
One notable exploit involving George Curry, Harvey Logan (Kid Curry), and Tom O’Day occurred in June 1897. The trio targeted the Butte County Bank in Belle Fourche, South Dakota, orchestrating a daring daylight robbery. However, their carefully laid plans quickly unraveled when O’Day’s horse bolted, leading to his immediate arrest. Curry and Logan managed to escape, but their freedom was short-lived.
While holed up in Fergus County, Montana, the duo was apprehended by a posse and returned to South Dakota, where they were incarcerated in the Deadwood jail. The Deadwood jail was known for holding some of the most dangerous criminals in the Dakota Territory. However, Curry and Logan were not men to be confined. In a brazen act of defiance, they overpowered their jailer and made a daring escape, disappearing back into the vast expanse of the West.
Following their escape, Curry and Logan continued their criminal activities, participating in further robberies of post offices and trains. Their reputation as ruthless outlaws grew with each successful heist, striking fear into the hearts of law-abiding citizens and attracting the attention of law enforcement agencies across multiple states.
However, Curry’s life of crime was ultimately brought to an end in Moab County, Utah. While engaged in cattle rustling, he was tracked down by lawmen Jessie M. Tyler and Thomas Preece. On April 17, 1900, a confrontation ensued, and Curry was fatally shot. His death marked the end of a turbulent chapter in the history of the Wild Bunch and brought a sense of closure to the authorities who had been pursuing him for years.
News of Curry’s death reached Harvey Logan (Kid Curry), who was reportedly enraged by the loss of his friend and partner. Driven by vengeance, Logan traveled to Utah, where he sought out Tyler and his Deputy, Sam Jenkins. In a violent gunfight, Logan killed both men, exacting his revenge for Curry’s death. This act of retribution further cemented Logan’s reputation as a ruthless killer and added another layer of complexity to the intertwined stories of Curry and his associates.
George Curry’s final resting place is in Chadron, Nebraska, a quiet testament to a life lived on the fringes of society. His story, while brief, offers a compelling glimpse into the lives of those who chose to defy the law and carve their own destinies in the Wild West. He remains a figure of both fascination and condemnation, a reminder of the violence and lawlessness that characterized a bygone era.
His legacy, though rooted in criminality, continues to be debated and reinterpreted. Some view him as a symbol of rebellion against a rapidly changing world, while others condemn his actions as nothing more than acts of violence and theft. Regardless of one’s perspective, George Curry remains an undeniable part of the history of the American West, forever linked to the legend of the Wild Bunch. His story serves as a reminder of the complexities and contradictions that defined the frontier era, a time when the lines between right and wrong were often blurred, and the pursuit of freedom often came at a high price.