Hole-In-The-Wall – Outlaw Hideout
Nestled within the rugged embrace of the Big Horn Mountains in Johnson County, Wyoming, lies a place steeped in history, folklore, and the echoes of a bygone era: the Hole-In-The-Wall. More than just a geographical location, this remote pass is a symbol of the Old West, a sanctuary for outlaws, and a testament to the enduring allure of the American frontier. The Hole-In-The-Wall area presents a dramatic landscape, characterized by its towering red sandstone escarpment, that has captured the imagination of generations.
This isolated haven gained notoriety as a favored refuge for some of the most notorious figures of the late 19th century. The stark beauty of the Wyoming landscape provided the perfect backdrop for a life lived outside the bounds of the law. Among those who sought shelter within its confines was the infamous Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch Gang. Their exploits, along with those of other outlaws, have woven a rich tapestry of legends around the Hole-In-The-Wall, transforming it into an almost mythical location.
The Wild Bunch, a collection of cattle rustlers and train robbers, included such figures as William Ellsworth “Elzy” Lay, Harry “Sundance Kid” Longabaugh, Ben “Tall Texan” Kilpatrick, Harvey “Kid Curry” Logan, William “News” Carver, Laura Bullion, and George “Flat Nose” Curry. These individuals, driven by a combination of desperation, greed, and a rebellious spirit, found common cause in their defiance of the established order. The Hole-In-The-Wall provided them with a secure base from which to plan and execute their daring heists, further solidifying its reputation as an outlaw stronghold.
However, the Wild Bunch was not the sole group to utilize the Hole-In-The-Wall as a hideout. A diverse assortment of outlaws, including Al Smith, Bob Taylor, Tom O’Day, "Laughing" Sam Carey, Black Jack Ketchum, and the Roberts Brothers, also frequented the area. Even the legendary Jesse James is rumored to have paid a visit to this infamous locale, adding another layer to its already compelling history. The allure of the Hole-In-The-Wall lay in its remoteness, its defensibility, and the unspoken code of conduct that governed those who sought refuge within its embrace.
These various groups and individual outlaws were collectively known as the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang. It’s important to understand that this wasn’t one monolithic organization, but rather a loose confederation of separate gangs who operated independently but shared a common sanctuary. Each gang planned and executed its own robberies with minimal interaction with the others. While members of different gangs might occasionally ride together, they primarily operated separately, only converging when they happened to be at the hideout simultaneously. This decentralized structure contributed to the gang’s resilience and made it difficult for law enforcement to effectively target their operations.
The geography of the Hole-In-The-Wall offered significant advantages to those seeking to evade the authorities. Its remote and secluded location, coupled with its narrow passes, made it easily defensible. Lawmen could not approach without alerting the outlaws, giving them ample time to prepare for a confrontation or make their escape. The hideout also boasted a rudimentary infrastructure, with each gang contributing to the collective well-being by supplying food, livestock, and horses.
Cabins were constructed to provide shelter, with each gang typically occupying one or two. A corral and livery stable were also built to accommodate the horses that were essential for both transportation and escape. A strict code of conduct governed life within the Hole-In-The-Wall. Disputes between gang members were handled according to established rules, and stealing from another gang’s supplies was strictly forbidden. There was no single leader; each gang adhered to its own internal chain of command.
The hideout served as a refuge from the harsh Wyoming winters, providing shelter and a place to lay low until the weather improved. When conditions allowed, the outlaws used the remote pass to move horses and cattle, often acquired through illicit means. This ability to both hide and transport stolen goods made the Hole-In-The-Wall an invaluable asset to their outlaw inhabitants.
The lawlessness that pervaded the area eventually led to conflict, as evidenced by the event known as the Hole-in-the-Wall Fight. Cattle rustling was rampant, with stolen livestock often concealed within the confines of the Hole-in-the-Wall country. In 1897, Bob Divine of the CY Cattle Company organized a roundup to reclaim stock belonging to various ranch outfits. He received an anonymous threat warning him to stay away, but Divine and his fellow ranchers were undeterred.
On July 22, 1897, Divine, accompanied by CY Ranch Cowboys, men from the Ogallala Land and Cattle Company and the Circle L Ranch, a Montana livestock inspector named Jim Drummond, and U.S. Deputy Marshal Joe LaFors, ventured into the Hole-in-the-Wall country. They entered through the Bar C gap and headed south, passing the Hole-in-the-Wall ranch. About three miles in, they encountered Bob and Al Smith, and Bob Taylor, all members of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang.
Tensions quickly escalated due to existing animosity between Bob Divine and Bob Smith. When Divine inquired about missing CY cattle, Smith responded defiantly, sparking a violent confrontation. Shots were exchanged, horses reared, and dust filled the air. When the smoke cleared, Bob Smith lay dead with a bullet in his back. Divine’s horse had been killed, and both he and his son Lee had been wounded. Al Smith escaped, while Bob Taylor was captured and later released.
Following the shootout, Divine led a heavily armed contingent and two deputies into the Hole-in-the-Wall and drove out several hundred head of cattle. Although they were watched closely by armed men, they were not interfered with. This event marked a turning point in the history of the Hole-in-the-Wall, highlighting the growing resistance to the outlaw presence in the area.
From the late 1860s to around 1910, the pass served as a haven for outlaw gangs. Over time, however, its significance diminished, and it faded into relative obscurity. Today, the Hole-in-the-Wall and Middle Fork region encompass approximately 80,000 acres of public land, managed by the State of Wyoming and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. This remote area is located about 35 miles southwest of Kaycee, Wyoming, and 60 miles north of Casper, along the Red Wall Back Country Scenic Byway.
The Middle Fork Powder River Management Area, situated about 20 miles southwest of Kaycee, Wyoming, contains notable sites such as Outlaw Cave, rumored to have been used as a hideout by various outlaws. The area boasts diverse topography and vegetation, ranging in elevation from 5,000 to over 8,000 feet. Steep canyons, a red sandstone escarpment known as the Red Wall, and open grassland parks interspersed with ponderosa pine, Douglas-fir, and limber pine forests characterize the landscape. The wildlife is equally diverse, including elk, mule deer, antelope, mountain lions, eagles, and various small mammals and rodents.
The Middle Fork of the Powder River flows through a steep canyon, offering excellent fishing opportunities. This "blue ribbon" trout stream is home to brown and rainbow trout. Other fishable streams in the area include Blue Creek, Buffalo Creek, and Eagle Creek.
The Hole-In-The-Wall, once a sanctuary for outlaws and a symbol of the Wild West, now stands as a reminder of a bygone era. Its rugged beauty and rich history continue to captivate visitors, offering a glimpse into the lives of those who sought freedom and fortune on the American frontier.