The Dalton Boys: The Real Story of the Dalton Gang

They were Oklahoma’s most infamous outlaws, gentleman bandits who robbed trains and banks until meeting their end in a blaze of gunfire on the streets of Coffeyville, Kansas. They were first cousins of the Younger brothers who had ridden with Jesse James, stole horses from Will Rogers’ father, and hid out with Belle Starr’s daughter Pearl. Less known is the fact that they started out as respected deputy U. S. marshals, until politics and recklessness led them to a life of crime. Their first train robbery was in California, resulting in the trial of the century for that state, followed by a jailbreak aided by a prominent politician. Back in Oklahoma and Indian Territories they robbed more trains, gaining notoriety and support from the common people of the area. In 1892 they tried to rob two banks at once in their home town of Coffeyville, but the citizens took up arms against them in a gunfight that left eight people dead. Based on meticulous research into original source documents from the National Archives, period newspaper accounts, and Emmett Dalton’s memoirs, this book dispels many of the myths about the Daltons, reveals many new details about their career, and dramatically brings to life their personalities and motivations. It’s a stirring story of young men hell-bent on excitement and adventure.