The Dalton Brothers – Lawmen & Outlaws

The annals of the Old West are replete with tales of daring outlaws and courageous lawmen, figures who etched their names into the history books through exploits both celebrated and condemned. Among these figures, the Dalton Brothers stand out, their story a complex tapestry woven with threads of justice and criminality, loyalty and betrayal. This narrative explores the lives of the Dalton Brothers, a family whose name became synonymous with both upholding the law and flagrantly breaking it.

The Dalton Brothers‘ saga is a captivating study in contrasts. While some family members donned the badge and swore to protect the innocent, others embraced a life of outlawry, their names whispered with fear and notoriety across the territories. The Dalton Brothers‘ story is not a simple tale of good versus evil, but rather a nuanced exploration of the forces that shaped their destinies and the choices they made along the way.

The Dalton Brothers, as a gang, gained infamy for their brazen robberies of banks and trains across the American West during the early 1890s. The gang’s core consisted of three brothers: Grat, Bob, and Emmett Dalton. Their criminal career reached its zenith, and ultimately its tragic end, in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1892. In a daring, yet ill-fated, attempt to rob two banks simultaneously, the gang was met with fierce resistance from the town’s citizens. The ensuing gunfight resulted in the deaths of Bob and Grat Dalton, along with two other gang members. Emmett Dalton, severely wounded, was captured and later sentenced to a lengthy prison term.

However, the narrative of the Dalton Brothers extends beyond their infamous crimes. Before their descent into outlawry, one of the brothers, Frank Dalton, served as a U.S. Deputy Marshal, upholding the law with courage and dedication. This adds another layer of complexity to the Dalton Brothers‘ story, highlighting the divergent paths taken by siblings raised in the same family.

Frank Dalton’s Legacy: A Lawman’s Dedication

Born on June 8, 1859, Frank Dalton represented the epitome of an upstanding citizen. In 1882, he received his commission as a U.S. Deputy Marshal at Fort Smith, Arkansas, a notorious hub for law enforcement in the untamed West. Frank distinguished himself as a brave and efficient officer, fearlessly pursuing outlaws across the rugged terrain of Kansas and Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma).

Recognizing their potential, Frank even enlisted his younger brothers, Bob and Grat, to assist him in his law enforcement efforts. Together, they formed posses, tracking down criminals and bringing them to justice. Tragically, Frank’s promising career was cut short on November 27, 1887. While attempting to arrest a man named Dave Smith on charges of horse theft and whiskey running in the Cherokee Nation, Frank was ambushed and killed. Smith, along with his accomplices, opened fire on the approaching lawmen, fatally wounding Frank.

Frank Dalton’s untimely death was a significant loss to the law enforcement community. He was remembered as a dedicated and fearless officer who served with honor. His legacy stands in stark contrast to the later criminal activities of his brothers, highlighting the profound divergence in their life choices.

The Dalton Family: Roots and Migration

The Dalton Brothers were part of a large family headed by Adaline Younger Dalton and James Lewis Dalton. Lewis Dalton migrated westward from Kentucky to Missouri in the late 1840s. During the 1850s, he engaged in horse trading and operated a saloon in Westport, Missouri (now Kansas City). It was there that he married Adaline. Adaline’s brother was the father of Bob, Cole, and James Younger, adding a layer of kinship to other infamous figures of the era.

The Dalton family eventually settled near Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1886. This region, steeped in violence and lawlessness, had been the stomping grounds of Quantrill’s Raiders and other guerrilla bands during and after the Civil War. The Dalton Brothers grew up amidst this atmosphere of unrest, inheriting a tradition of violence that would later influence their choices.

In 1889, the opening of the Oklahoma Territory for settlement prompted the family to move south once again. However, tragedy struck when Lewis Dalton died along the way, leaving Adaline to raise the younger children alone. Undeterred, Adaline established a claim on the banks of Kingfisher Creek in Indian Territory, where she and her family initially resided in a dugout. By this time, the elder Dalton brothers had embarked on their own paths, setting the stage for their eventual descent into outlawry.

From Lawmen to Outlaws: The Transformation of Bob and Grat

Robert "Bob" Reddick Dalton, born in 1868, initially followed in his brother Frank’s footsteps, serving as a U.S. Deputy Marshal. He participated in several posses led by Frank and later received his own commission in the Western District at Fort Smith, Arkansas. Bob also served as Chief of Police for the Osage Indian Nation, demonstrating his commitment to upholding the law.

However, a series of incidents and accusations tarnished Bob’s reputation. In one instance, he killed a man named Charley Montgomery who resisted arrest. Later, he was involved in a controversial shooting that resulted in the death of an innocent man. Rumors of Bob’s involvement in illegal activities, such as selling whiskey to Native Americans, led to his dismissal from law enforcement.

Grattan "Grat" Dalton, born in 1865, also began his career as a U.S. Deputy Marshal, taking over Frank’s position after his death. He assisted in arresting several fugitives but was eventually dismissed for misusing his authority. These experiences, coupled with a growing disillusionment with the justice system, may have contributed to their eventual turn to crime.

In 1891, Bob, Grat, and Emmett ventured to California, where they robbed a Southern Pacific Railroad train, stealing a substantial sum of money. This marked their transition into a life of outlawry, leading them to form the notorious Dalton Gang. The gang, comprised of other outlaws such as Dick Broadwell, George "Bitter Creek" Newcomb, and Bill Doolin, terrorized the territories with their daring robberies of banks and trains.

The Coffeyville Disaster and its Aftermath

The Dalton Gang’s reign of terror came to an abrupt end on October 5, 1892, in Coffeyville, Kansas. In a bold attempt to rob two banks simultaneously, the gang was met with unexpected resistance from the town’s citizens. A fierce gunfight erupted, resulting in the deaths of Bob and Grat Dalton, along with Dick Broadwell and Bill Power. Emmett Dalton, severely wounded, was the only gang member to survive the ordeal. He was subsequently tried, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison.

William "Bill" Dalton, another brother, was also involved in outlawry, though he was not present at the Coffeyville shootout. After the demise of his brothers, Bill joined Bill Doolin’s gang, further solidifying the Dalton family’s reputation as notorious outlaws. He was eventually killed in a shootout with lawmen in 1894.

Emmett Dalton’s Redemption and Legacy

Emmett Dalton’s story took an unexpected turn after his imprisonment. In 1907, he received a pardon from the governor of Kansas and embarked on a path of redemption. He married Julia Johnson Gilstrap Lewis and settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked as a police officer for a time. Later, he moved to California and became a building contractor.

In 1931, Emmett collaborated with a Los Angeles newspaperman to write a book about the Dalton Gang, titled "When The Daltons Rode." The book provided a first-hand account of the gang’s exploits and offered insights into the motivations and experiences of its members. Emmett Dalton passed away peacefully in 1937, leaving behind a complex legacy as both an outlaw and a reformed citizen.

The enduring tale of the Dalton Brothers serves as a compelling reminder of the blurred lines between law and lawlessness in the American West. Their story, encompassing both valiant lawmen and notorious outlaws, continues to captivate and intrigue, solidifying their place as enduring figures in the legends of the Old West.