Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Bank Heist For Western Wednesday...!

This may come as a big shock to most folks, but bank robbery in the Old West wasn't as popular as we think!

Bank Heists Almost Never Happened


Photo credit: Wikimedia

When historians looked at the instances of bank robberies across 15 western states between 1859 and 1900, they could actually confirm fewer than 10—including two carried out by Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Most banks were built by people who had already established their reputations in town as something else, most often the owners of general stores. When banks were finally built, they were usually placed in a location that made breaking into them difficult: the center of town, with stores on either side. Iron safes were also installed, making robberies not nearly as widespread as Hollywood claims.

This total was a complete surprise to me. I figured the number would be a lot higher. Guess the bad guys found it easier to rob the trains and stage coaches. I found this article over at Listverser.

Coffee inside where it's dry. More rain coming!

7 comments:

  1. That is very interesting. I always thought it was the most popular. Does make sense though as robbing a stagecoach or train would be easier and make for a better get away. Hollywood sure got that one wrong. Still hot and humid here. Rained very heavy this morning, now the sun is out.

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  2. Hollywood lied???? Say it ain't so!

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  3. Hey Linda...
    Guess most of us thought the same thing. Raining again here. as well!
    Thanks for stopping by today!


    Hey Phyllis...
    I know, right? Who would have thought?
    Thanks for coming by today!

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  4. Well that is a surprise to me too! Darn movies anyway.

    We had a very unexpected storm come through here last night. It was a strong one. Glad I got out really early and sprayed the weeds.

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  5. Only 10? I'm surprised too. Bank robbery in post 1900 seems to be a big thing. I wonder about train robbers?

    Rained in north Georgia last night/early this morning but it's beautiful now.

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  6. Wow, TV and the movies sure did exaggerate. Who would have thought the media would do a think like that? (grin)

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  7. Hey Jo...
    We are full of surprises here at the hermit's.
    Thanks for dropping in today!


    Hey Rob...
    Maybe it had to do with the distance between banks? Can't imagine any other reason for the lack of number.
    Thanks for coming by today!


    Hey Dizzy...
    I know...surprising, right? I reckon we are so used to the media stretching the truth, we have come to expect it.
    Thanks for the visit today!

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