Robert Harvey Longabaugh

Robert Harvey Longabaugh, alias Harry Thayne Longabaugh, alias Harry Longabaugh Jr., is something of an enigma. Many are quick to doubt his claims of being the son of Harry A. Longabaugh, alias the Sundance Kid, others believe there may something to his story, confusing as it is.

The man who called himself Harry Longabaugh Jr. gave birth date’s of February 21, 1901, February 2, 1901 and January 4, 1901, the latter appearing on his death certificate. Where he was born is no less confusing with Cimarron, New Mexico, Conconully, Washington and others as possible locations. Just to make matters more interesting, he is either the offspring of Etta Place or Anna Marie Thayne whose real name is either Mary Tyrone or Hazel Tyrone Smith.

Confused? You’re not alone.

Researchers Dan Buck and Anne Meadows uncovered evidence that Longabaugh Jr. spent at least part of his life in and out of a Fresno, California jail. He eventually came to the attention of Wild West enthusiasts when he gave a series of lectures on the man who may or may not have been his father. It is in these lectures that many of the varying dates and locations associated with the man got their start, often within the same lecture.

Longabaugh Jr. says the first time he met his father was at the Chicago Hotel in Spokane, Washington sometime in 1940, although on another occasion he claimed to have first met him in 1934 in Baggs, Wyoming. He stated his father gave him maps to $300,000 in stolen loot, but was never afforded the opportunity to claim the treasure due to the authorities constantly watching. However, according to Longabaugh Jr., he was able to recover $6,000 in Bruneau Canyon, Idaho sometime in 1940.

In one lecture Longabaugh Jr. stated his father died in 1957, only to later claim it was 1958. He eventually gave an exact date of August 2, 1957, saying the Sundance Kid was buried in Casper, Wyoming under the name Harry Long or Frank Jones.

Longabaugh Jr. claims that once Etta Place returned to the States, she settled in Marion County, Oregon where she later died in 1935. His own mother, the aforementioned Anna-Marie-Thayne-Mary-Tyrone-Hazel-Tyrone-Smith, was school teacher who was involved with the Sundance Kid before he left her for her half-sister, Etta Place.

It is believed that Longabaugh Jr. was the man who introduced the theory that Butch Cassidy survived South America and returned to the States. Longabaugh Jr. says he was one of the pallbearers at Cassidy’s funeral in Spokane, Washington.

While his inconsistencies make it easy to dismiss his claims of Longabaugh lineage, there are those who believe there may be some truth to his claims. Pearl Baker, author of The Wild Bunch at Robbers Roost, met Longabaugh Jr. and claims he had information about the Roost that was not commonly known.

Donna Ernst, historian and author of Sundance, My Uncle, also believes there may be a family connection. She points out that Harvey is a Longabaugh family name, and his feature bear a strong resemblance to those within the Longabaugh family. As to whether or not he is the son of the Sundance Kid, she is not sure, but believes he may be related to the Longabaugh family in some way.

Robert Harvey Longabaugh died in the Priess Hotel fire on December 18, 1972. He death certificate listed his parents as Harold Longabaugh and Mary Tyrone. Any maps or papers he had with him related to his lineage died with him in the fire.

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