The End Of The Dalton Brothers Gang

Publication: 1892, Coffeyville, Kansas

A photographic record of the famous, ill-fated attempt by the Dalton Brothers Gang to rob 2 banks simultaneously in Coffeyville, Kansas. On the morning of October 5, 1892, Bob, Grat, and Emmett Dalton, with gang members Bill Powers and Dick Broadwell rode into Coffeyville, Kansas, intending to rob the Condon Bank and the First National Bank. Despite their poor efforts to disguise themselves, they were recognized by some citizens, who quickly determined that they were there with criminal intent. Bob and Emmett entered the First National Bank, while the other 3 crossed the square and entered the Condon Bank. Bob and Emmett quickly gathered $21,000 in a grain sack, but when they emerged were driven back inside by gunfire from armed citizens. They ran out the back door and down the alley toward their horses, shooting 4 citizens, 3 of whom died. In the meantime the other 3 robbers, foolishly waiting for an inactive time-lock on the safe, came under fire while still in the bank from citizens in the street. They ran from the bank, closely followed by Marshal Charles Connelly. Grat turned and shot Connelly dead, then ran for the horses. Livery stable owner, John Kloehr, shot Bob and Grat down at close range. No one in the gang escaped and Emmett was the only gang member to survive, while the Marshal and 3 other citizens were killed. Offered here is a homemade photographic record of the tragic event. 18.25" wide and 23" high, and nicely framed in dark oak, this display piece is comprised of 5 large photographs with 2 printed images of survivor, Emmett Dalton. One photograph, centered in the upper portion is 9.5" wide x 6" high, It is the classic photograph of the 4 dead robbers laid-out next to one another, each identified, with a printed caption at the bottom of the image, "The Daltons of the Coffeyville Raid 1892." It is flanked by printed images of Emmett...one identified as "Emmett Dalton Today" and the other as "Emmett Dalton 1892", with hand-printed caption "The Only Member To Escape Alive. Wounded & Sentenced To Life. Paroled." Directly below this upper photograph is the hand-written title, "The End of The Dalton Gang". The mid & bottom portion are comprised of 4 large photographs; each 7.5" wide x 4.75" high. The 2 in the middle are photographs of the exterior of the C. M. Condon Bank. The one on the left is taken from across the street, while the one on the right is a close-up showing the bullet holes in the windows of the bank, with printing in the negative stating: "Bank Windows showing nearly 300 bullet holes fired by Citizens and Bandits." Beneath these 2 photographs is a neatly hand-written caption: "This was the last of the old type Bank Bandits. They always sent word to the town or bank before a raid. 8 men were killed in this fight." The 2 photographs at the bottom, also 7.5" wide x 4.75" high include an image on the left stating in the negative: "Death Alley-where horses were tied to board fence. Port holes in roof used by Citizens." The photograph at the bottom right is a rare image of the 4 dead robbers piled-up in the jail, with the description that mis-identifies Bill Powers as Tim Evens and states: "Overnight in jail after the raid." A great piece of Americana...attractively designed, with neatly written captions, and unusually large photographs. Said to have hung in a bar in Coffeyville for many years. Based on the fact that Emmett was paroled in 1907, we believe this display piece to have been created circa 1910. A rare, one-of-a-kind display piece, recording one of the most famous bank robberies in American history! In fine condition.