East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-10-09
THE LAST RAID OF THE DALTON GANG

A Topeka correspondent writes to
the Inter-Ocean that in the annals of
the southwest there is no incident so
stirring, so full of bloody and dramat-
ic features, as the story of the last raid
of the Dalton gang at Coffeyvile,
Wednesday, October 5, 1892, when
that town was changed in an hour
from a peaceful scene of commerce
and pleasure, to bloodshed. The tale
has been told many times, II has been
made the subject of epic verse, II has
furnished material for the author of
the penny dreadful" It has been told
in many languages. but the author of
the heroic deed that rid the world of
the numbering band of criminals has
never before told the story himself
This man is John j. Kloehr. Mr..
Kioehr has now given his version of
II, and says:
"I don't like to tell this story.
have never told 1t before, that is, with
anything like completeness.
Just word or two about the Dali
tons before beginning the story of
their final raid. They were Kentuck-
ians. born ana bred. They were cous-
ins by marriage of the notorious Youn-
gers and Jameses. In them the lust
of slaughter was Unborn. In 1889 the
Dalton family, father and mother and
13 children, among them the three
who met their death here-Bob, En-
met and Grattan-came to Kansas.
They settled on a farm in Montgom-
cry county, where they remained un-
iii the opening of the territory. Then
began the life of adventure that prov
ed their undoing. First, United States
deputy marshals, then train robbers,
whiskey peddlers and bandits in the
mountain passes of California;; then
the final act, bank robbers.
The Last Raid.
"On October 4, 1892, five men, Tim
Evans, or Powers. Grant Dalton, Bob
Dalton. Emmett Dalton and Dick
Broadwell, the last having been enlist
ed in the scheme n day or two before,
rode up from the Indian Territory
from that part known as the Chero-
kee nation.
"They passed the night hiding In the
wooded Businesses along the banks oil
the Verdigris river .on which this town
stands. Early on the morning of the
5th they took up their Journey again
their bloodod horses refreshed by rest
and food.
Fer miles they followed one of TIL,
main roads into Coffeyvile. the road
that becomes Eighth street when &
enters the town.
Notified by Many People.
"As they neared the town they wer'
noticed by many people riding to anC
from the city. The Daltons, who were
of course, well known In Coffeyville
We're disguised by false boards an'
other means. Long cloaks concealed
their weapons-Winchester rifles ant
heavy Colts revolvers. They looked
as they intended, like a party OF Unite,
States deputy marshals riding into tn
state on official business. This wa
a noccurrence too common to excit
wonderment or remark.
"As they rode up Eighth street man,
eyes were turned upon them. but with
out arousing the slightest suspicion
II WAS evidently their intention to III
their horses on Eighth street, wher
they would be readily accessible whe
the need to flee came. However, tn
street was torn up, pending certain
repairs. making this impossible. Al
allev running directly off the mali
street attracted their attention. The
turned down 1t, the only false NOV
they had made thus far. and tied thci
horses on paling back of my liver
sable. Then in single file they emerg
ed from the alley, their long coats re
moved, their spurs clanking, thei
guns swinging at their sides.
How the Bank Was Robbed.
Three of them, Bob and Brattol
Dalton and Powers entered the Con
don National bank. and, covering tn
cashier with their Winchesters, com
manded him TO open the vault. Ora
hurried around behind the iron scree
that partitioned the vaults and tn
business TART of the bank from tn
front. 1nd opening a heavy grain sac
commanded one of the three clerk
to pour into II all the cash I'm sigh
That done, he, with fierce oath, com
manded the cashier to open the vaul
and get the gold.
"I can't replied the cashier. "Th
time lock is on the vault
What time will it open?'
"sAt Q.g0' returned tla p1Shia,