|
|
November 3, 1887 -
Denver & Rio Grande Robbery
On November 3, 1887 the
eastbound run of a Denver & Rio Grande passenger train came to a stop
five miles east of Grand Junction, Colorado along the curve of the
Gunnison river. The conductor made the decision to stop after spotting a
pile of rocks covering the tracks ahead; it was a decision he would later
regret.
The train had barely
come to a rest when three men rushed the express car and demanded the
express messenger open the safe. Thinking on his feet, the express
messenger claimed only stationmasters knew the combination to the safe.
The robbers did not question his story, instead they grabbed what little
money they could and fled. In all they managed to steal about a $150.00
and some mail.
While
there is no evidence to back it up, many believe that Tom
McCarty, Matt
Warner and Butch Cassidy were the three men involved in the robbery. Some
go so far as to say the robbery was McCarty’s way of introducing the art
of train robbery to the younger outlaws. Four men were later arrested and
convicted of the crime, however the robbery will always remain attached to
the legend of Butch Cassidy.
Back
|
