About
Outlaw and former lawman known for being the youngest member of the Dalton Gang and for being the only surviving participant of the gang's infamous double bank robbery attempt in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 1892. He was also known in the Old West for his involvement in train robberies and the Coffeyville gunfight where he survived after being shot 23 times.
Before fame
He was influenced by his brothers' activities in Kansas and Oklahoma Territory as a young man. His brothers had formed the Dalton Gang by the 1890s with Bob Dalton emerging as the leader. He joined his brothers' gang near the end of its criminal career. He took part in the Dalton Gang's attempt to rob two banks simultaneously in Coffeyville, Kansas on October 5th, 1892, but the plan failed when townspeople recognized the gang and opened fire. He was the only gang member to survive the shootout despite being hit by 23 bullets. He was captured shortly after the gunfight and later convicted of second-degree murder and received a life sentence at the Kansas State Penitentiary. He was pardoned in 1907 and following his release he moved to California, where he worked in real estate and gradually reentered public life.
Trivia
He published his memoir Beyond the Law in 1918 detailing his life as an outlaw and his time in prison. His book was adapted into a silent film the same year in which he played himself. He eventually co-authored When the Daltons Rode which became the basis for the 1940 Hollywood film of the same name. He spent his later years giving public talks and discouraging young people from romanticizing outlaw life.
Family life
He was in Belton, Missouri. He was born into the Dalton family which became closely associated with both law enforcement and outlaw history in the late 19th century. He had several older brothers who worked as lawmen before turning to crime. He died of heart failure on July 13th, 1937, in Los Angeles, California.
Associated with
He co-authored When The Daltons Rode which was turned into a film in 1940 starring Randolph Scott.
