One the America’s old west most darling and notorious gang of bandits, The Dalton Gang, is the subject of Tom Clavin’s latest masterpiece. Clavin does an excellent job of separating fact from fiction, which can be a challenge when examining these often mythologized figures. While the Daltons had many friends that protected them, they were no Robin Hoods, and the author explores when and why they became dangerous outlaws.
The father of Frank and Jesse James was a minister, and for a time, the Daltons were on the right side of the law. In fact, brother Frank Dalton became an U.S. Deputy Marshall under the hanging Judge, Isaac Parker. Grat and Bob both became deputies, and Bob hired Emmett under him to guard prisoners. However, in 1891, they turned to train robbery. The first train robbery didn’t quite go as planned, but they would learn from it.
After a couple of successful heists, the gang was focused on one more lucrative hit, and then escape to South America. As Clavin explains in “The Last Outlaws,” the law was closing in, in fact, they nearly had the gang at Red Rock. However, it was a trap the gang snuffed out, and they robbed the next passing train. Clavin details the brave lawmen that remained in hot pursuit of the outlaws, such as distinguished lawman Heck Thomas.
Finally, the Dalton’s attempted something their Younger cousins never tried, two simultaneous robberies in Coffeyville, Kansas, however, it would be their last raid. Four of the five robbers would die in a furious gun battle, leaving only Emmett to survive, but was badly wounded. Emmett would be sent to prison, but paroled after serving fourteen years of his ninety nine year sentence. As Clavin notes, Emmett was responsible for creating much of the mythology that surrounds the gang, even today.
In the remaining chapters, Clavin follows the trails of the newly formed, but short lived Doolin-Dalton gang (or the Wild Bunch). Clavin’s storytelling here is top notch, and as always, George Newbern provides captivating narration.
By: Tom Clavin
Narrated by: George Newbern
Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins
Release date: 11-07-23
Publisher: Macmillan Audio