Inside the Dalton Gang, Part 3.

The end begins at Coffeyville.

Chapter 16, Gratt Dalton joins us.

It was in April, 1892, that Gratt joined us.

He had returned from the south and the fall before. The Cheyenne

territory had just been open to settlers. With its opening came a horde of wild, lawless characters

beside whom we were meek and quiet as Presbyterian elders. Things were run with a high hand, shooting scraps and killings were the usual course of the day.

Train robberies were not infrequent, but we had no hand in them.

In the first place we were waiting for Grat, and then, after his arrival, a suitable opportunity did not present itself.

But of course, it was known that we

were together, and to our already heavy record, many a crime was laid that we knew nothing of.

When Grat joined us, the bitterness that had been burning within him burst forth and joined our

flame of hatred directed towards the express company, towards Smith, the detective,

and those who had taken part in the deal against us.

Then we believed ourselves the victims of a plot of persecution.

Now, at this later day, I discount the plot theory, but I feel that we were made the victims of an unscrupulous,

greedy corporation and the inordinate vanity of one man, Smith.

To the men who trailed us day by day and who schemed and planned for our capture,

I have no word or thought of censure.

But to the man who knew, as he must have known, that we were innocent of the first charge against us,

even the years of meditation and repentance, have failed to fully soften my feeling of rancor toward him.

Grat told us the story of his trial and escape.

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