Dalton Brothers
Dalton Brothers, United States outlaws. They rank with the Younger brothers (who were their cousins) and the James gang among the most notorious desperadoes of the Old West. Grattan Dalton (1861-1892) was born in Kansas; Robert (“Bob”) (1867-1892) and Emmett (1871-1937) were born in Missouri. The family moved several times, eventually settling in Coffeeville, Kansas, in the 1880's. Not long after, the three brothers, led by Bob, became horse thieves. In 1890 they went to California, where they robbed a train. Grattan was captured but escaped on the way to prison. Fleeing to Oklahoma, the brothers recruited other outlaws and held up several more trains.
On October 5, 1892, after devising a plan to become the first gang to rob two banks at one time, the Daltons, with two accomplices, rode into Coffeeville. Bob and Emmett Dalton robbed one bank, and the others held up the second. While attempting to escape, they became involved in a gunfight with townspeople. All members of the gang were killed, except for Emmett, who was severely wounded. He was convicted of murder and imprisoned. Pardoned after serving 14 years, he lived the rest of his life as a law-abiding citizen.