The Last Outlaws: The Desperate Final Days of the Dalton Gang

Tom Clavin

Nov 2023 · Sold by St. Martin's Press

About this ebook

The definitive account of the Dalton Gang and the most brazen bank heist in history, by the multiple New York Times bestselling author.

The Last Outlaws is the thrilling true story of the last of one of the greatest outlaw gangs. The dreaded Dalton Gang consisted of three brothers and their rotating cast of colorful accomplices who saw themselves as descended from the legendary James brothers. They soon became legends themselves, beginning their career as common horse thieves before graduating to robbing banks and trains.

On October 5, 1892, the Dalton Gang attempted their boldest and bloodiest raid yet: robbing two banks in broad daylight in Coffeyville, Kansas, simultaneously. As Grat, Bob, and Emmett Dalton and Bill Power and Dick Broadwell crossed the plaza to enter the two buildings, the outlaws were recognized by townspeople, who raised the alarm. Citizens armed themselves with shotguns and six-shooters from nearby hardware stores and were locked and loaded when the thieves emerged from the banks. The ensuing gun battle was a lead-filled firefight of epic proportions. As the smoke cleared, eight men lay dead––including four of the five members of the doomed Dalton Gang.

For the first time ever, the full story of the Dalton Gang's life of crime, culminating in one of the Wild West’s most violent events, are chronicled in detail––a last gruesome gasp of the age of gunfights.

Ratings and reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Having lived in Kansas City, Missouri for all of my life, of course I had heard of the Dalton Gang and the other gangs like the James Brothers, the Younger Brothers but I didn’t know as much about them has this book has revealed. I love the fact that this book was not dry, and it went along at a very good pace. I loved all the little side stories too. This is the first book, I have read by this author but it definitely will not be the last. I would recommend this

About the author

TOM CLAVIN is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and has worked as a newspaper editor, magazine writer, TV and radio commentator, and a reporter for The New York Times. He has received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and National Newspaper Association. His books include the bestselling Frontier Lawmen trilogy—Wild Bill, Dodge City, and Tombstone—and Blood and Treasure with Bob Drury. He lives in Sag Harbor, NY.