Kit Joy – The Evolution of a Train Robber

The story of Christopher "Kit" Carson Joy, a cowboy who transitioned into a notorious train robber in the late 19th-century American West, is a compelling narrative of circumstance, curiosity, and the allure of quick riches. This account, originally penned by Edgar Beecher Bronson in 1910, offers a glimpse into the rough-and-tumble life of Grant County, New Mexico, during a period marked by lawlessness, Apache raids, and a pervasive culture of self-reliance, where carrying a gun was as essential as owning a horse.

Grant County in the 1880s was a far cry from the tranquil image often associated with rural life. Insecurity reigned supreme, and violence was a constant threat. The San Carlos Apache, led by figures like Victorio, Ju, and Geronimo, posed a persistent danger to the white settlers, while internal conflicts among the settlers themselves frequently erupted into deadly gunfights. In such a volatile environment, the ability to handle a firearm was not merely a skill but a necessity for survival. Drawing a gun and failing to use it was considered a fatal error, often leading to a swift and irreversible demise. This explosive atmosphere wasn’t due to a lack of peaceable citizens; many honest, educated individuals resided in the area. However, the constant threat from both Apache raids and white outlaws forced everyone to carry arms for self-defense, leading to the resolution of even minor disputes through violence rather than legal means.

The occupations in Grant County reflected the harsh realities of the frontier. Outside of the towns, cattle ranching, mining, and fighting the Apache were the primary pursuits, attracting only the most resilient and fearless individuals. Within the towns, the options were limited to supplying the needs of cowmen and miners, gambling, or simply trying to survive the day without becoming a target. It was within this environment that the cowboy Christopher "Kit" Carson Joy, a young man working on the X Ranch in the Gila Wilderness, began his transformation.

Kit Joy was initially known for his reckless and daring nature, often participating in the rowdy activities that cowboys engaged in when they came to town, such as shooting out saloon lights and generally causing a ruckus. Despite his penchant for mischief, Kit Joy was generally considered good-natured and amiable. However, a defining characteristic of Kit Joy was his insatiable curiosity, a trait that would ultimately lead him down a path of crime.

One incident that highlighted Kit Joy’s unusual curiosity occurred when a newly arrived "tenderfoot" appeared in Silver City wearing knickerbockers and stockings. While most cowboys would have reacted with ridicule or aggression, Kit Joy simply followed the tenderfoot around town for an hour, consumed by curiosity. Finally, he approached the man and asked, with genuine concern, why his mother wouldn’t allow him to wear long pants. This anecdote illustrates Kit Joy’s unconventional nature and his ability to be distracted by his own curiosity, even in situations where a more typical cowboy might have resorted to violence.

Despite his occasional eccentricities, Kit Joy was a typical cowboy of the Southern Texas breed: hardworking, loyal, and uncomplaining. He endured long hours in the saddle, facing harsh weather conditions without complaint. His skills with a rope and branding iron were always in demand, and he took pride in adding stray cattle to his employer’s herd, even if it meant encroaching on neighboring ranches. This dedication to his work and his employer made his subsequent descent into outlawry all the more surprising.

The catalyst for Kit Joy’s transformation came one night during a spring roundup. While standing night guard over the herd, his thoughts drifted to the passengers he had seen on the Overland Express in Lordsburg, with their fine clothes and glittering jewels. He began to fantasize about the possibilities of a life of wealth and luxury, envisioning a grand adventure in San Francisco. However, he quickly realized that such a lifestyle would require a significant amount of money, far beyond his reach as a cowboy.

This realization sparked a dangerous train of thought in Kit Joy’s mind. He began to consider ways to acquire the wealth he craved, ultimately leading him to the idea of robbing the Overland Express. The idea was impulsive and reckless, driven by a combination of curiosity and covetousness. Despite the risks involved, Kit Joy was captivated by the prospect of quick riches and the thrill of the adventure.

With his plan formed, Kit Joy quickly recruited three accomplices: Mitch Lee, Frank Taggart, and George Washington Cleveland, a black man known for his desperation and willingness to take risks. The men readily agreed to join the scheme, enticed by the promise of loot. After obtaining provisions and separating to avoid suspicion, they met at a predetermined location on the Mimbres River to finalize their plans.

The chosen target was the small station of Gage, west of Deming, where the westbound express would pass at twilight. Upon arriving at Gage, Kit Joy and his gang intimidated the station agent into cooperating. As the train approached, they forced the agent to signal it to stop. When the engineer, Theopholus C. Webster, realized the situation and attempted to accelerate, Mitch Lee shot and killed him. The gang then stormed the train, firing their guns and yelling to terrorize the passengers and crew.

In a matter of minutes, the express car was ransacked, the postal car was gutted, and the passengers were robbed. With their loot in hand, Kit Joy and his gang fled northward, disappearing into the night. After reaching the Mimbres River, they used the loose sand to cover their tracks. They eventually reached the hills east of Silver City, where they hid their plunder before returning to Silver City and casually engaging in a game of Monte in a local saloon. The next day, they quietly rejoined their respective outfits, hoping to avoid suspicion.

The robbery sparked a massive manhunt, led by Harvey Whitehill, the renowned sheriff of Grant County. However, the gang’s careful planning and the station agent’s feigned amnesia hampered the investigation. The only clue was a fragment of a Kansas newspaper found near the scene of the crime. Whitehill traced the newspaper to a Silver City merchant who recalled wrapping provisions for Cleveland and an unknown white man in a piece of the paper.

This breakthrough led to Cleveland’s arrest in Socorro. Faced with the false claim that his accomplices had confessed and implicated him in Webster’s murder, Cleveland revealed the entire story. Within days, Kit Joy, Taggart, and Lee were captured and jailed in Silver City.

However, the jail proved to be an inadequate prison for such desperate men. They orchestrated an escape, seizing their guard, arming themselves, and fleeing into the town, firing at anyone in sight. During the escape, Cleveland’s horse was killed, but one of his accomplices rescued him. A posse quickly formed, and a hot pursuit ensued.

Five miles outside of Silver City, the fugitives were cornered in a thicket of post oak trees. After a brief standoff, the posse charged into the thicket, only to find that the gang had escaped through another opening, leaving behind the body of the Mexican horse thief. The pursuit continued into the Pinos Altos Range, where the gang was finally cornered in a rugged canyon.

A fierce gunfight erupted, resulting in the deaths of Cleveland and Joseph Lafferr, a member of the posse. Taggart surrendered after being temporarily blinded by a shot, and Lee was captured after being wounded. Kit Joy, however, managed to escape, disappearing into the rugged terrain.

Enraged by Lafferr’s death, the posse lynched Taggart and Lee. Meanwhile, the hunt for Kit Joy intensified, with the hills swarming with armed men. Despite the overwhelming odds, Kit Joy managed to evade capture for several weeks, relying on his knowledge of the terrain and the occasional forced provision from isolated ranches.

Ultimately, Kit Joy’s downfall came when he sought out Racketty Smith, a small ranchman he believed he could trust. Smith betrayed Kit Joy, ambushing him and shattering his leg with a rifle shot. Seriously wounded, Kit Joy was captured and later convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Engineer T.C. Webster.

He served 12 years in prison in Santa Fe, where he learned the tailor’s trade. After his release, he rejoined his mother near Kingston, New Mexico. Around 1900, they moved to Arizona, where he ran a tailor shop at Fort Huachuca. Following his mother’s death, he moved to Buena, Arizona, and opened another tailor shop. During Prohibition, he became involved in the illegal liquor business and was arrested in 1926 for manufacturing moonshine.

After serving time in jail, Kit Joy eventually ended up in the Cochise County Hospital in Douglas, Arizona, where he died of influenza and pneumonia in 1936 at the age of 76. He was buried at the Bisbee-Lowell Evergreen Cemetery.

The life of Christopher "Kit" Carson Joy is a testament to the transformative power of circumstance and the allure of the outlaw life in the American West. From a hardworking cowboy to a notorious train robber, his story serves as a cautionary tale of how curiosity, covetousness, and a volatile environment can lead even the most seemingly ordinary individuals down a path of crime and destruction.