Dalton Outlaws and Coffeyville

Coffeyville Kansas, made famous by the Dalton Outlaws, lies in the southeastern corner of Kansas, near the Oklahoma border. Although, we only live several hundred miles away, we had never made the trip, until recently.
The historical significance is without a doubt is essential to learning about an era of the Dalton Outlaws and similar bands of outlaws. We were very familiar with the legend and anxious to experience it for ourselves.

As we drive into the historic downtown area, the first sight we witness is a huge mural painted on a building to one side and slightly to the rear of Coffeyville's museum and tourist center. I will get back to this beautiful painting covering the buildings entire side, in just a moment. First, I should take this chance to recommend the museum. Inside, were such articles as, the door from one of the robbed banks, I believe the Condon Bank, including bullet holes.

Today the building next to this museum (with mural painting) is a hardware store, just as it was during the Dalton gang shot out. From here townsmen ran to arm themselves against two daring and simultaneous bank robberies.Sitting on the street corner is the Condon Bank. You can't miss the beautifully restored bank with its green exterior and a painting on the sidewalk. Here, the artist has immortalized for generations the Dalton's dead bodies, lain out as photographed on the deadly day of October 5, 1892.
While the Condon Bank was being robbed by Bob and Emmett Dalton, the remaining Gang was relieving the First National Bank from its assets. Some town folk had recognized the Dalton's as they rode into town. After all, Coffeyville was their hometown. Alerted, the citizens grabbed their weapons, some running into the hardware store for guns and ammunition. Before the smoke clears, four citizens and four Dalton members including Bob lay dead in the street.

We take a short walk following the marks on the sidewalk and street that shows the Dalton Outlaws Gang members path through an alleyway and marked outlines showing where they fell in the gunfight.
Emmett Dalton, the sole surviving member of the Dalton Outlaws Gang, was seriously wounded. He would recover from his wounds and stood trial for the crime. He was sentenced to life in prison, but was later pardoned by the governor, and spent the rest of his life in California.

Here is a good web site with more information on the Dalton Outlaws.

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