On this day, Oct. 5, in 1892, the infamous Dalton Gang was all but wiped out in a bloody gunfight of epic proportions.
Three of the Dalton brothers — Emmett, Grat and Bob — along with Dick Broadwell and Bill Power planned to rob two banks simultaneously in Coffeyville, Kan. They wanted to top the feats of Jesse James and make sure their names were etched in history.
The bandits rode into town wearing fake beards but were recognized by citizens who sounded the alarm and armed themselves at a hardware store.
Four outlaws were shot and killed, but not before killing four vigilantes.
Emmett Dalton, the sole survivor, was shot more than 20 times. He served 14 years, then capitalized on his fame and became a Hollywood actor.
– Scott McCabe
