BEYOND the LAW Across the Plaza the Three Men Ran, Shooting As They Did So Towards the Isham Store

BEYOND the LAW Across the Plaza the three men ran, shooting as they did so towards the Isham Store. BEYOND the LAW By Emmett dalton Only Survivor of the famous Dalton Gang

First edition, 1918 First Pelican Pouch edition, 2002

The word “Pelican” and the depiction of a pelican are trademarks of Pelican Publishing Company, Inc., and are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

ISBN 1-58980-016-8

Printed in Canada Published by Pelican Publishing Company, Inc. 1000 Burmaster Street, Gretna, Louisiana 70053 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

“Across the Plaza . . .” Frontispiece FACING PAGE “Murine for your . . .” 13 “I was struggling . . .” 21 “Bob shot once . . .” 33 “I widened out my . . .” 41 “There was no doubt . . .” 60 “Backing the Messenger . . .” 70 “Short entered the . . .” 80 “Spurring his horse . . .” 103 “He and Doolin . . .” 123 “Rushing out of . . .” 124 “I leaned over my . . .” 157

CONTENTS

CHAPTER...... PAGE

I. OUR FAMILY ...... 13 II. FRANK DALTON SACRIFICED ...... 18 III. BOB DALTON AS UNITED STATES DEPUTY MARSHAL ...... 28 IV. OUR FIRST CRIME ...... 36 V. BACK IN OKLAHOMA...... 44 VI. FORCED INTO OUTLAWRY ...... 49 VII. BOB ESCAPES FROM CALIFORNIA . . 56 VIII. THE WHORTON TRAIN ROBBERY . . 64 IX. ON THE SCOUT ...... 72 X. DEATH OF CHARLES BRYANT . . . . . 79 XI. STARTING FOR SOUTH AMERICA . . 85 XII. FATE TAKES A HAND ...... 94

7 8 BEYOND THE LAW

XIII. THE LELIETTA TRAIN ROBBERY . . . 99 XIV. WE DECIDE TO QUIT...... 106 XV. GRAT DALTON’S TROUBLE IN CALIFORNIA ...... 110 XVI. GRAT DALTON JOINS US ...... 118 XVII. ROUTING MARSHALS AT ADAIR . . 126 XVIII. PLANNING THE COFFEYVILLE, KANSAS, RAID ...... 133 XIX. THE ONLY DOUBLE BANK ROBBERY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD, FIVE MEN ROBBING TWO BANKS AT THE SAME TIME ...... 143 XX. BATTLE IN DEATH ALLEY ...... 152 XXI. MY TRIAL AND IMPRISONMENT. . . 158 XXII. BILL DALTON MURDERED ...... 166 XXIII. MY RELEASE FROM PRISON ...... 170