In the final days of the Wild West, a group of infamous brothers known as the Daltons, along with their friends, formed a gang. They were involved in various criminal activities like robbing banks and trains, stealing horses, and more. Anyone who tried to stop them faced serious trouble.
On October 5, 1892, the gang’s leader, Bob Dalton, planned a bold move. He wanted to rob two banks at the same time in Coffeyville, Kansas, to show how tough they were. But things went wrong, leading to a big shootout between the gang and the townspeople. When it was over, eight people were dead, including four gang members. Bob Dalton and his brothers Grant and Bill Powers were among those who died. The youngest brother, Emmett Dalton, survived despite being badly injured. He was arrested and sentenced to life in prison, ending the Dalton gang’s reign.
However, another brother, Bill Dalton, was still free. On the day of the Coffeyville heist, he and another outlaw, Bill Doolin, might have been waiting outside the town with fresh horses for the gang’s escape. After hearing about the failed robbery, they decided to form a new gang called the Doolin-Dalton gang. Surprisingly, this new gang became even more successful and notorious than the original Dalton gang.
Bill Dalton, born around 1865 in Missouri, was one of 15 siblings. His family later moved to Kansas. Although his family had connections to the infamous James-Younger gang, Bill initially tried to live an honest life. He worked various jobs and married Jenny Bliven in 1885, with whom he had two children. However, the influence of his brothers eventually led him into a life of crime. By 1891, he was already on the sheriff’s radar for helping in a train robbery.
After the Coffeyville incident, Bill Dalton embraced his role as an outlaw and teamed up with Bill Doolin. Doolin, who had been a cowboy before turning to crime, helped form the Doolin-Dalton gang. Their first crime was robbing the Ford County Bank in Spearville, Kansas, on November 1, 1892. This marked the beginning of their notorious adventures as the Wild Bunch, known for their daring robberies and shootouts.
As time went on, law enforcement put more pressure on the Wild Bunch, leading to many violent encounters. The gang’s activities continued until 1894 when Bill Dalton was killed in a confrontation with lawmen. His death signaled the decline of the gang, but some members continued their criminal activities until they were eventually caught or killed.
By 1896, most of the Wild Bunch had been eliminated. Bill Doolin was the last significant member. He was captured in June 1896 but managed to escape from prison. However, he was tracked down and killed in August of that year, marking the end of one of the most notorious gangs of the Old West.
The story of the Doolin-Dalton gang is a fascinating chapter in the history of the Wild West. Their daring escapades and eventual downfall remind us of a time when the American frontier was a place of both adventure and danger.
Research the key events in the lives of the Dalton and Doolin-Dalton gangs. Create a timeline that includes important dates, such as the Coffeyville heist and the formation of the Doolin-Dalton gang. Use images and brief descriptions to make your timeline visually appealing and informative.
In groups, reenact the Coffeyville heist. Assign roles such as gang members, townspeople, and law enforcement. Discuss the motivations and actions of each character, and explore how different decisions might have changed the outcome of the event.
Design a “Wanted” poster for a member of the Doolin-Dalton gang. Include details such as their crimes, physical description, and reward amount. Use creative design elements to make your poster look authentic to the Wild West era.
Participate in a debate about whether the members of the Doolin-Dalton gang were outlaws or misunderstood heroes. Research their actions and the context of the Wild West to support your arguments. Consider the perspectives of different stakeholders, such as lawmen, townspeople, and the gang members themselves.
Imagine you are a member of the Doolin-Dalton gang. Write a diary entry describing a day in your life, focusing on your thoughts and feelings about being an outlaw. Reflect on the challenges and excitement of living in the Wild West.
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Once upon a time, during the closing days of the Wild West, there was a group of notorious brothers known as the Daltons. Together with their friends, they formed a gang that engaged in various criminal activities, including robbing banks and trains, stealing horses, and other illicit endeavors. Anyone who tried to interfere with their operations faced serious consequences.
On October 5, 1892, gang leader Bob Dalton decided that five of them would enter Coffeyville, Kansas, and rob two banks simultaneously in broad daylight to demonstrate their fearsome reputation. However, things did not go as planned, leading to a massive shootout between the Dalton gang and the townspeople. When the smoke cleared, eight people were dead, including four gang members. Bob Dalton, along with his brothers Grant and Bill Powers, was among the deceased. The youngest brother, Emmett Dalton, was the only survivor, despite sustaining numerous injuries. He was arrested and sentenced to life in prison, marking the end of the Dalton gang.
However, a fourth brother named Bill Dalton was still at large. On that fateful day, he and another outlaw named Bill Doolin may have been waiting outside the city with fresh horses for the gang’s escape. After learning of the events, they decided to form a new group, which became known as the Doolin-Dalton gang. Contrary to the saying that sequels are never as good as the original, this gang became more successful and notorious than the first.
Mason Dalton was born around 1865 in Cass County, Missouri, to Lewis Dalton and Adeline Younger. The family later moved to Kansas, where Mason and his 14 siblings grew up. He eventually started going by William “Bill” Dalton to avoid confusion with the other Daltons. His mother was related to the Younger brothers, who were part of the infamous James-Younger gang.
For a time, it seemed the Dalton brothers were destined to uphold the law. Frank Dalton, the family’s pride, became a deputy U.S. marshal in 1884 but was gunned down in 1887 while attempting to arrest a horse thief. After his death, the other Dalton brothers attempted to follow in his footsteps but soon fell into a life of crime, marked by excessive drinking, gambling, and corruption.
Bill Dalton initially tried to lead an honest life, working various jobs and eventually marrying Jenny Bliven in 1885. They had two children, and Bill seemed to have a stable life. However, his brothers’ influence led him down a darker path. He became embroiled in their criminal activities, and by 1891, he was on the sheriff’s radar after being arrested for aiding in a train robbery.
After the Coffeyville shootout, with most of his brothers dead or imprisoned, Bill Dalton accepted his new role as an outlaw. He teamed up with Bill Doolin, who had his own backstory of working as a cowboy before turning to crime. Doolin became a member of the Dalton gang and later helped form the Doolin-Dalton gang.
The gang’s first crime was the robbery of the Ford County Bank in Spearville, Kansas, on November 1, 1892. Following their escape, the authorities began tracking them down, leading to a series of violent confrontations. The gang became known as the Wild Bunch, notorious for their daring robberies and shootouts.
As the years went by, the Wild Bunch faced increasing pressure from law enforcement, leading to numerous violent encounters. The gang’s activities continued until 1894, when Bill Dalton was killed during a confrontation with lawmen. His death marked the decline of the gang, but the remaining members continued their criminal ways until they were eventually captured or killed.
By 1896, most of the Wild Bunch had been eliminated, with Bill Doolin being the last significant member. He was captured in June 1896 but managed to escape from prison. However, he was tracked down and killed in August of that year, marking the end of one of the most notorious gangs of the Old West.
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Gang – A group of people who work together, often for criminal purposes – In the late 1800s, the infamous James-Younger gang was known for their daring bank and train robberies in the Wild West.
Robbery – The act of stealing from a person or place, especially using violence or threats – The Great Train Robbery of 1873 was one of the most famous heists in American history.
Outlaw – A person who has broken the law and is hiding to avoid punishment – Jesse James was a notorious outlaw who became a legendary figure in American folklore.
Shootout – A gunfight between two or more people, often involving law enforcement – The shootout at the O.K. Corral is one of the most famous events in Wild West history.
Brothers – Male siblings who often share a close bond – The Wright brothers made history with the first successful powered flight in 1903.
Crime – An action or activity that is against the law – During the Prohibition era, organized crime increased as gangs smuggled alcohol into the United States.
Wild West – A term used to describe the western United States during the late 19th century, known for its lawlessness and frontier spirit – The Wild West was a time of cowboys, outlaws, and rapid expansion across the American frontier.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs – Learning about the history of ancient civilizations helps us understand how modern societies developed.
Adventures – Exciting or unusual experiences, often involving exploration or risk – The adventures of Lewis and Clark opened up new territories for settlement in the early 19th century.
Heist – A planned theft, especially one involving a large amount of money or valuables – The Great Train Heist of 1963 in England was one of the most famous robberies of the 20th century.
