The Black Hills Bandits
The late 1870s in the American West were a time of rapid expansion, burgeoning industry, and, inevitably, outlawry. Among the many stories of daring robberies and desperate men, the tale of the Black Hills Bandits stands out for its boldness and the swift unraveling of the gang’s fortunes. This band of desperados, active primarily between 1876 and 1877, etched their names into the annals of Western lore through a series of stagecoach robberies and a particularly audacious train heist.
The composition of the Black Hills Bandits was a motley crew, united by a thirst for wealth and a willingness to skirt the law. The core members included some figures who would later achieve notoriety in their own right. At the helm was Sam Bass, a name that would become synonymous with outlawry in Texas. Alongside him were Joel Collins, a key player in the gang’s operations; Jack Davis, whose fate remains shrouded in mystery; Tom Nixon, another figure who eluded capture; Bill Heffridge, who met a violent end in Kansas; and Jim Berry, whose capture and subsequent death marked a significant blow to the gang.
The Black Hills Bandits initially targeted the stagecoaches that traversed the rugged terrain around Deadwood, South Dakota. This bustling frontier town, fueled by the gold rush, was a hub of commerce and transportation, making it an attractive target for bandits seeking easy riches. The gang focused their attention on these stagecoaches, particularly the Deadwood Stage, a vital link connecting Deadwood to the outside world. They struck with a calculated ruthlessness, disrupting the flow of goods and instilling fear in the hearts of travelers.
In their initial string of robberies, the Black Hills Bandits successfully intercepted several stagecoaches, relieving them of their valuable cargo and passengers of their belongings. However, their actions escalated dramatically on March 25, 1877, during their fifth attempt to rob a Deadwood Stage. This time, the robbery turned deadly when the outlaws shot and killed the stage driver, Johnny Slaughter. The sound of the gunshot sent the horses into a frenzy, causing them to bolt towards Deadwood, a mere two miles away.
According to local folklore, the runaway stage, careening wildly towards Deadwood, was heroically stopped by none other than Calamity Jane, the legendary frontierswoman known for her courage and daring exploits. Whether this account is entirely factual or embellished over time, it adds a dramatic flair to the story of the Black Hills Bandits and their impact on the community of Deadwood.
Recognizing that stagecoach robberies yielded relatively meager profits compared to the risks involved, the Black Hills Bandits decided to escalate their operations and target the more lucrative prize of train robbery. They set their sights on the isolated station at Big Springs, Nebraska, a strategic location along the transcontinental railroad. On September 18, 1877, they executed their plan with meticulous precision.
The gang seized control of the station, capturing the station master, John Barnhart, and disabling the telegraph lines to prevent any communication with the outside world. They then forced Barnhart to signal the approaching eastbound express train to stop, effectively setting the stage for their audacious heist. As the train screeched to a halt at 10:48 p.m., the six bandits, armed and ready, boarded the train, intent on securing their fortune.
Their initial search of the mail car revealed a safe containing a mere $450, a disappointing sum compared to their expectations. Undeterred, they turned their attention to the larger safe, hoping to find a more substantial bounty. However, they were thwarted by a time lock, which prevented the safe from being opened until the train reached its destination. Frustrated by this obstacle, the bandits resorted to brutal tactics, attempting to force the express messenger to open the safe. Despite their violent efforts, the messenger was unable to comply, as the time lock mechanism was beyond his control.
Undeterred by their inability to access the main safe, the outlaws continued their search of the train car. Their persistence paid off when they stumbled upon several wooden boxes containing a remarkable discovery: $60,000 worth of freshly minted $20 gold pieces. The reason why these valuable coins were not stored in the safe remains a mystery, but their presence presented the bandits with an unexpected windfall.
With their newfound treasure in hand, the Black Hills Bandits proceeded to systematically rob the train passengers, relieving them of their cash and valuables. In total, they escaped with the $60,000 in gold coins, the $450 from the mail car safe, and approximately $1,300 and four gold watches from the passengers. The Big Springs train robbery instantly became one of the most audacious and lucrative heists in the history of the American West.
Following the successful train robbery, the Black Hills Bandits decided to split up and disperse, hoping to evade capture and enjoy their ill-gotten gains. They divided the money into shares and separated into pairs, each heading in a different direction. However, their freedom would be short-lived.
Joel Collins and Bill Heffridge were pursued to Buffalo Station (now Gove), Kansas, where they were cornered and killed in a shootout with law enforcement officers. Jim Berry was captured near his home in Mexico, Missouri. He was wounded during the capture and died two days later, marking a significant blow to the gang.
Sam Bass, the charismatic leader of the Black Hills Bandits, returned to Texas, where he formed a new gang and continued his life of outlawry. However, his criminal career was cut short on July 21, 1878, when he was killed in an ambush by Texas Rangers at Round Rock, Texas.
Tom Nixon and Jack Davis, the remaining members of the Black Hills Bandits, managed to evade capture and disappeared into the anonymity of the American West. Their ultimate fate remains unknown, adding an element of mystery to the story of the gang.
The story of the Black Hills Bandits serves as a captivating glimpse into the turbulent era of the American West, a time when the lines between law and lawlessness were often blurred. Their audacious robberies, daring escapes, and eventual downfall have cemented their place in the folklore of the frontier, reminding us of the allure and the perils of the Wild West.