Sam Bass & Gang

by Rick Miller

The legendary Sam Bass refused to give up his companions to the trailing lawmen. In 1878, the chase ended with the famous gunfight on the streets of Round Rock, Texas.

424 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Miriam]

One can find genealogical information in the most unlikely places. In this bio of stage and train robber Sam Bass I learned of the gang's successful attempt in 1877 to rob an eastbound Union Pacific train carrying $60,000 in newly-minted gold coins from the San Francisco mint consigned to two New York banks. The gang stopped the train at the lonely station of Big Springs (Nebraska). News of the robbery made the headlines all over the country. Posters were printed by the railroad offering a reward for the robbers and the return of the gold. The railroad asked for the assistance of the army to hunt down the robbers. Fort Hayes, Kansas, responded and sent a patrol led by Lt. Allen with nine soldiers, one of whom was Pvt. Octavous A. Shindlebower.

The gang had divided the gold and split up by twos. Two were killed by the army at Buffalo Station, Gove County, Kansas, a week after the robbery. Loot recovered amounted to over $19,000. Everybody involved with the man-hunt put in claims for the reward. (The pro rata amount was determined to be $3,242.76.) Sheriff Bardsley claimed the reward all for himself so there was a lawsuit. The privates had to give testamony.It had to be decided by a jury so the soldiers testified. The jury awarded over $2,000 to the sheriff and $1002.76 to the soldiers. (U.S. Circuit Court, Central Plains Region-Kansas City, Records, District of Nebraska, Bardsley V. Union Pacific Railroad et al., Cause No. 295D.)