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Coffeyville Massacre!

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Street Layout Of Coffeyville Raid 1892.

The events opening up to the day of October 5th, 1892 started swirling out of control from the start for the Dalton gang. There were several things that were early “warning signs” that screamed that this raid was a disaster but very vague to them with all of the excitement of big money, leaving the country to start a new life in South America, and the fact that there was a man who was a US Deputy Marshal, just like what the Dalton boys had been, Heck Thomas about 24 hours behind them trying to hunt them down and stop them from any more robberies in this area.

Emmett mentioned that night, before the raid, he had terrible doubts about this day light double bank robbery that would be a greater event than the James/Younger gang could have ever thought of pulling off! Emmett was evidently put down and scoffed by his brothers as a coward for his doubts which the next day, unfortunately, would become a reality for all of them. The next morning, after camping out the night before on an Onion Creek which was located on a P.L Davis’ farm there in Coffeyville, Bill Power had a hard time mounting his horse which probably didn’t help with time issues seeing that they were much pressured in this department. After this there was the ride into Coffeyville where on arrival and much to all of their surprises a key hitching rack, that would be essential to a fast and fairly safe escape, was missing at the section of 8th and Walnut Street there in Coffeyville. This would lead to the entire gang making deadly alternatives to their plans. Their arrival was about around 9 a.m. and the town was already bustling with activity from the town’s people which was not good for a safe get away either.

In studying this raid there were other contributions that probably lead to this robbery not going off in the most stellar of fashions either. This raid was done in the month of October which was right after harvesting time for the farmers in that area. This was one of the good thought out parts of this robbery by Bob and the rest. That morning was probably chilly and the gang began by “warming up” with liquor which assumedly was whiskey. Much of this was probably consumed. This was not a drink that would have made the gang in general and Gratton especially, seeing his heavy drinking habits, at their sharpest in mind set for such a huge undertaking. Also, many of the town’s men had Civil War experience and were skilled marksmen with guns. And one final thing, the First National Bank, Bob and Emmett’s mark, was slammed right next door and the Condon & Co. Bank not very far from an Isham’s Hardware which sold guns and ammo much like a dry goods store. Over the years many historians have brought some of these key points out and have been rather hard, I feel like, on the gang for not realizing these factors. It is easy to judge others and their actions after an event has happened but, these are things that were probably not simply realized by the gang, I am sure, seeing that they paid dearly for their actions this fateful morning in October.

The Condon Bank as it looks today.

Next Page: Photos.