American Historical Ephemera and Photography

The lot is comprised of 7 real photo postcards, each approx. 3 3/8 x 5 3/8 in., or smaller. Each view titled in the negative and copyrighted by Tackett of Coffeyville, KS. Provenance: Willard O. Mishoff Collection (ink stamp on verso).

The following views are included: Dalton Gang members taken in the aftermath of their disastrous 5 October 1892 raid on two banks in Coffeyville, Kansas. Of the five who rode into town four were shot dead by townsmen and are pictured in ghastly repose. The postmortem view shows Tom Evans, Bob Dalton, Grat Dalton, and Texas Jack/Tom Moon/Dick Broadwell, with identifications in lower margin. -- Post-mortem, close-up view of Tim Evans, Bob Dalton, Dick Broadwell, and Grat Dalton, captioned in the negative, "Overnight in jail after the raid." -- View capturing the Coffeyville sheriff and other townspeople holding up the dead bodies of Bob and Grat Dalton. -- Post-mortem view of "Bob Dalton, The Leader of the gang, Oct. 5, 1892." -- "Bank raided by the Dalton Gang, 1892." -- "Bank windows showing nearly 300 bullet holes fired by Citizens and Bandits." -- "Death Alley - where horses were tied to board fence. Portholes in roof used by Citizens."

Together, 7 real photo postcards. Condition generally good to very good. Some with edge wear and light toning. Each with ink stamp and sticker on verso.

The Dalton boys -- Bob, Grat, Emmett and Frank -- grew up leading a hard-scrabble existence in Missouri, Indian Territory and Kansas, four of a family of thirteen children. Early in their adulthood Frank, Bob and Grat served briefly as Deputy Marshals in Indian Territory and Fort Smith, AR. Frank, described by many as an outstanding peace officer, was killed on 27 November 1887 while attempting to arrest a horse-thief. Not long afterward, Bob and Grat turned away from the law to a criminal career.

For a brief two-year span between 1890-1892, Bob and Grat, along with baby brother Emmett, rustled cattle and other livestock, robbed a number of trains, and killed an unknown number of men in their escapades. Vowing to outdo Jesse James, Bob planned the robbery of two banks at once in the sleepy town of Coffeyville, KS. On 5 October 1892, wearing disguises, the Dalton brothers and accomplices Bill Powers, Dick Grattan and Dick Broadwell rode into town intent on pulling the double heist. Caught in the act by an alert citizen who warned other townspeople, the gang soon found itself caught in a withering hail of bullets. All but Emmett were killed, along with four Coffeyville residents, including Marshal Charles T. Connelly. Emmett survived despite 23 gunshot wounds and went on to a career in acting and real estate after serving 14 years for the crime.