Laura Bullion – Member of the Wild Bunch
Laura Bullion, also known as Della Rose, occupies a unique and intriguing place in the annals of the American West. Though perhaps not as widely celebrated as some of her male counterparts, her association with Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch marks her as a significant figure in the outlaw history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her life, shrouded in a mixture of fact and legend, offers a glimpse into the complex and often romanticized world of Western outlaws, a world where loyalty, survival, and defiance intertwined.
Born in Knickerbocker, Texas, around 1876, Laura Bullion’s origins were a blend of cultures, a reflection of the diverse population that characterized the American frontier. Her mother was of German descent, while her father was Native American, a heritage that likely instilled in her a sense of independence and resilience. Knickerbocker, at the time, was a rough-and-tumble town, a haven for those seeking to escape the constraints of settled society. It was in this environment that the young Laura encountered figures who would shape the course of her life. Her father, reportedly a bank robber himself, exposed her early on to the allure and dangers of a life outside the law.
As a teenager, Laura Bullion found herself drawn to two men who would become central figures in her story: William "Will" Carver and Ben "The Tall Texan" Kilpatrick. Carver, a seasoned outlaw who had previously been married to Laura’s aunt, initiated a romantic relationship with the young woman when she was just 15 years old. Carver had a history of robbing trains with Black Jack Ketchum before moving on to Utah and hooking up with Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch, where Laura ultimately ended up too. This connection served as her initial introduction to the world of outlawry, setting her on a path that would lead her into the orbit of the notorious Wild Bunch. Somewhere along the line, Laura transferred her affections to Ben Kilpatrick, who cast his lot with the Wild Bunch in 1898.
Laura Bullion’s association with the Wild Bunch solidified her reputation as more than just a mere accomplice or romantic interest. She actively participated in the gang’s activities, contributing her skills and resourcefulness to their operations. She frequently assisted the gang by fencing goods and money for them and was known to the group as Della Rose and often called the "Rose of the Wild Bunch." Her ability to handle stolen goods and convert them into cash was invaluable to the gang, allowing them to sustain their lifestyle and evade law enforcement. This role earned her the moniker "Della Rose" and, more poetically, "The Rose of the Wild Bunch," nicknames that hinted at both her beauty and her dangerous association with the infamous group.
The Wild Bunch, led by the charismatic Butch Cassidy and the skilled Sundance Kid, were renowned for their daring train and bank robberies. Laura Bullion’s involvement in these heists remains a subject of debate, with some accounts suggesting she actively participated in the planning and execution of robberies. Regardless of the precise nature of her involvement, her close association with Kilpatrick and her role in fencing stolen goods undoubtedly made her an integral part of the Wild Bunch’s network of support.
The life of an outlaw was fraught with danger, and Laura Bullion experienced firsthand the consequences of living outside the law. Following several train robberies, Kilpatrick and Bullion returned to Texas with William Carver, where Carver was ambushed and killed by lawmen on April 1, 1901. In the aftermath of a robbery, Kilpatrick and Bullion fled to St. Louis, Missouri, in an attempt to evade the relentless pursuit of law enforcement. However, their freedom was short-lived. On November 8, 1901, they were apprehended by authorities, marking a turning point in their lives. Kilpatrick was found guilty of robbery and sentenced to a lengthy term of 15 years in prison, while Laura received a sentence of five years.
Laura Bullion served 3 1/2 years of her sentence at the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, Missouri, before being released on September 19, 1905. Upon her release, Laura Bullion sought to distance herself from her past and forge a new identity. She relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, where she adopted the alias Freda Lincoln and established a new life as a seamstress and dressmaker. Her skills with a needle and thread provided her with a means of earning a living and rebuilding her life away from the shadow of her outlaw past.
Laura Bullion, leading a quiet life in Memphis, passed away on December 2, 1961, at the age of approximately 85. She was buried under a tombstone that read "Freda Bullion Lincoln – Laura Bullion – The Thorny Rose." The inscription on her tombstone serves as a poignant reminder of the duality of her life: the respectable Freda Lincoln and the infamous Laura Bullion, the "Thorny Rose" of the Wild Bunch.
Her former lover, Ben Kilpatrick, did not share the same fate as Laura Bullion. Kilpatrick was released from prison in June 1911 and immediately returned to a life of crime. While attempting to rob a Southern Pacific express train near Sanderson, Texas, on March 13, 1912, he was killed with an ice mallet, bringing a violent end to his outlaw career.
The life of Laura Bullion remains a captivating tale of the American West. Her association with the Wild Bunch, her skills in fencing stolen goods, and her ability to adapt and survive in a harsh and unforgiving environment all contribute to her enduring legacy. While some may view her as a mere footnote in the history of the Wild Bunch, her story offers a valuable perspective on the lives of women in the Old West and the complex choices they faced. Laura Bullion’s story is a testament to the enduring allure of the outlaw life and the complex realities of the American West. Her life, though filled with hardship and controversy, serves as a reminder of the diverse and often overlooked figures who shaped the history of the American frontier.