The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-12-19

port said that she was crack shot
with the rifle and pistol, that she RODE
"a-straddle," that she actually TOOK
part in the hold-ups, and that was
in truth, a Queen Of the bandlts.
Sombrero-topped,b booted, and spurred
like the men, erect in carriage, supple, |
graceful, beautiful-the picture OF
Belle Star graced the pages of the IL
Illustrated papers. And it were after
all better to think of her so than as
q broken, consumptive woman dying
in a dingy JAIL where she was sent
with her mate when determined III
tie posse of United States deputies
swooped down on the gang unan-
nounced and carted them away to Fort
Smith.
Rise of the Dalton Gang.
The later Dalton gang, four broth
ers and as many more brave and intel
ligent associates, came nearer to re-
producing the real flavor Of romance
than any who had preceded them IN
the business Of differing express cars.
i
trained to the trade, three of them
having worked with the famous
Evans, Sontag, and Sontag trio in
Southern California. The spectacular
ending of the Evans-Sontag partner
ship, after an all-day duel between a
houseful of deputies and two of the
outlaws behind stack of stable re-
fuse, sent the Daltons packing from
California to the Indian territory. Here
they lived quietly for time, winning
friends all over the country, working
as cowboys and winning regulations as
hail-fellows, good rife shots, and
stanch friends. One or two hold-ups,
cleverely managed, carried through
without hitch, set people to wonder
ing who the robbers were. Still the
Daltons held their jobs and were not
suspected. But the hold-up Of train
Oh the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, near
Adatr, on which half a dozen armed
guards were posted, and from which
an unusually large haul was made,
served to rouse the officers to On ex-
traerdinary activity. Robbers who
could sweep the length of train with
a fire that kept even a Winchester
armed guard inside, who could un-
couple the express car from the pas
senger coaches, run away into the
woods with it, crack it open, take it
back to the train, and send the whole
on to the next station without expos
ing themselves to single shot-cer-
tainly these were Of an extraordinary
cleverness. Finally the officers picked
the Daltons as the criminals, but the
community was incredulous, knowing
and caring little for the brothers for
mer reputation. So completely had
these genial fellows won the confidence
Of the ranchmen and cowboys that
the officers for a long time dared not
try to arrest them. A sense of security
emboldened them; they mussed an at
tempt on the Arkansas Valley road
Bob was wounded, and the community
had indisputable evidence of their
J guilt. But still public opinion shielded
them-the railroad could, in the opin.
! ion of the countryside, easily afford
their losses, and the boys had made
themselves popular and pleasant.
! One day three of the Daltons, accom-
: panied by three others, rode leisurel,
I, up to Coffeyville, Kan, four miles owe,
/ the border of the Indian country
/. hitched their horses, and walked oveI
e to rob the bank. An obstinate, faitbfr
e cashier delayed them unduly, the tow
q woke out of lethargy, and vhe1
:. the boys made rush for their horses
v shotguns, rifles and pistols popped n,
l. them from all sides. These were an
e noying but not fatal until a calm
e sleepy eyed livery stable helper climb
: ed into barn loft with a Winchester
= stretched himself comfortably on hi
n stomach, and began to pick off tn
g bandits as they mounted and starte,
E to ride away. Two of the brother
J. were killed by the livery stable mar
l. the other was wounded and captured
r and but single member Of that ban
g, reached the territory to tell young Bi
d Dalton of the fate Of his brothers.
q This young brothers, just past q
Is resented bitterly the summary takin
lie off of his relatives. He talked freel
d with the sympathizlng cowboys of re
r venge. He came and went free of m,
Is lestation, and at last he drew togethe
lie little band of his own. He was
d, brave boy and shrewd. but he sper
I'd most of his energy running away fro,
the officers after he had indiscretl
1e murdered an inoffensive citizen.
ne was all very well to rob q rich railwa
ne corporation said the Indian territor
ne people their view it was mere r
as taliation-but when a ranchman w,
e. not safe from the whim of fool, no