Wednesday, November 20, 2013

After The Glory Days...!

I've heard it said that we all have our 15 minutes of fame, but what happens to us when tha fame is gone?

Some folks deal with it and move on, while others decide that the fame is important enough to continue to chase it. In this case, I think that it was a chance to have a new beginning. Sometimes that's all it takes...a chance!

The Strange Fate Of Emmett Dalton
By Mike Devlin on Tuesday, November 12, 2013

The Dalton Gang terrorized the American Old West, pulling off a string of train robberies. In 1892, they attempted one of their most daunting stunts yet, robbing two banks at the same time in the town of Coffeyville, Kansas. The scheme was a disaster, ending with four of the gang members dead and a fifth, Emmett Dalton, riddled with gunfire. Despite 23 bullet wounds, he survived, and after over a decade in prison, moved to Hollywood where he became an author, actor, and real estate agent.

While most recognize that the “Wild West” was far more peaceful than television and movies would lead people to believe, there were some notorious personalities and incidents that sprung from the era. One such group was the Dalton Gang, who made their name with a series of successful train robberies. However audacious these heists might have been, they were hardly lucrative. Most of the jobs left them with just a few hundred dollars to split between the members of the gang.

In 1892, the Daltons plotted something far more bold than they had ever attempted before. They would rob two banks in the town of Coffeyville, Kansas simultaneously. They might have succeeded if not for a shrewd bank employee, who convinced them that the vault was equipped with a time lock and wouldn’t open for another 45 minutes. That gave the townspeople time to rally and engage the Daltons in a fierce gun battle.

Four members of the gang were killed: Dick Broadwell, Bill Power, and brothers Grat and Bob Dalton. A third brother, Emmett, suffered 23 bullet wounds. Surviving such a barrage would be nearly impossible, even with today’s medical technology, but Emmett was wounded before the invention of aspirin or CPR. Despite the odds, he survived. For his misdeeds, he was sentenced to life in prison, but was pardoned after 14 years, having discovered the Lord while behind bars.

Many figures would have faded into obscurity at this point, but Emmett capitalized on his dubious legacy. He penned a memoir of his exploits called When the Daltons Rode and appeared in Hollywood films, including a dramatization of the Daltons’ exploits. He played himself. The former gunslinger also sold real estate and championed prison reform. He died in 1937, aged 66, more than four decades after the deadly shoot-out.

One can hope that Emmett made the best from his second chance and had a chance to at least die in peace, happy!

Coffee inside this morning. It's a tad chilly, but the sun is supposed to come on strong later!

8 comments:

West Tx at Heart said...

Love Western day

Mamahen said...

Had heard. of the Daltons but didn't know all the facts of course. Interesting! Who woud have thought he had survived 23 gunshot wounds. Wow! 28 here this a.m. so a cozy kitchen sounds nice. Thanks for the invite. If you dont have anything planned i'll stir up some flappjacks for everyone,if you don't mind me borrowing the stove.

Chickenmom said...

He must have had some nasty scars, Mr. Hermit! 19 degrees here. I'll bring the maple syrup Mamahen!

linda m said...

This is one of the first prison rehabilitations I have heard in a long time. Good for Emmett. Love western day. Very cold here this morning, flapjacks and maple syrup sound good.

JO said...

I knew of the gang but I don't recall his rehab. Lucky to live that long with all that lead in him.

Our temps are dropping again 47 here right now but will warm up to 77 but cloudy. I'll bring extra fresh ground coffee.

Unknown said...

I've got a neighbor named Emmett Dalton, always wondered if he was related!

HermitJim said...

Hey West Texas...
It does seem to be a favorite with many folks!

Thanks for the visit today!



Hey Mamahen...
That was a pretty good feat considering the times.

Flapjacks sound good!

Thanks for coming by today!



Hey Phyllis...
No doubt the scars would be there for a while!

Love that maple syrup!

Thanks for dropping in today!



Hey Linda...
Good to know he turned his life around!

Thanks for coming by this morning!



Hey Jo...
He was indeed lucky to have such a long life after being shot that many times!

Extra coffee is always appreciated!

Thanks, sweetie, for the visit this morning!



Hey Hermit Ladee...
You just never know! He might be!

Thanks for coming over this morning!

Gorges Smythe said...

Interesting!