The Dalton Gang – The last raid in Coffeyville

Around 9:30 the morning of October 5, 1892 five members of the Dalton Gang (Grat Dalton, Emmett Dalton, Bob Dalton, Bill Power and Dick Broadwell) rode into the small town of Coffeyville, Kansas.

In close order the five crossed Walnut Street from the alley to the Condon Bank, holding winchester rifles close along their legs. Grat, Broadwell, and Powers entered the Condon Bank and Emmett and Bob hurried across Union Street to the First National Bank.

In close order the five crossed Walnut Street from the alley to the Condon Bank, holding winchester rifles close along their legs. Grat, Broadwell, and Powers entered the Condon Bank and Emmett and Bob hurried across Union Street to the First National Bank.

Suspicious townspeople watched through the banks’ wide front windows as the robbers pulled their guns. Someone on the street shouted, “The bank is being robbed!” and the citizens quickly armed themselves – taking up firing positions around the banks. The ensuing firefight lasted less than fifteen minutes. A brief moment in time in which four townspeople lost their lives, four members of the Dalton Gang were gunned down.

Grat and Bob Dalton, Dick Broadwell and Bill Powers were all killed. Emmett Dalton received gunshot wounds and survived. He was given a life sentence in the Kansas State Penitentiary in Lansing, Kansas. Bill Doolin started a new gang with the Dalton Gang’s remaining members. Bill Dalton would eventually join and become one of the leaders. The gang then became known as the Doolin-Dalton Gang.

Featured Images: The group of outlaws in the American Old West during 1890-92

Websites: coffeyvillechamber.org