Historic Newspapers: Search Results

THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 2, 1891  

* Cotopaxi train robbery - Colorado
* Denver & Rio Grande railroad
* Royal Gorge - Arkansas River

The front page has a half column report headed: "DARING TRAIN ROBBERS" "Seven Masked Men Stop an Express and Overpower the Messenger" "They Get Off With $3,600" "The Fight Was Likely While It Lasted, and a Posse with Bloodhounds Is After the Thieves with Orders to Take Them Dead or Alive". The report offers much detail.
The…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, Sept. 26, 1893 

* Old west style train robbery

The front page has over a column of text headed; "TRAIN ROBBERS TRAPPED" "Police Filled The Cars" 'Two of the Outlaws Killed and Four Captured" "A Bandit Betrays His Fellows" and more. Actually a great report as it reads like a classic train robbery from the Wild West, the text beginning: "The Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs road foiled an attempt to-day to rob one of the passenger trains, killed tow of the bandits…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Nov. 4, 1883  Likely due to its location on the edge of the Western frontier, this newspaper typically contained a wealth sensational crime reports and events from the West, much more than any found in eastern newspapers. Page 6 has: "Reported Train Robbery In Illinois" provides some details, including: "...a most  daring robbery took place...four men...with drawn revolvers, ordered the passengers to hand out their money & valuables..." with more (see).
Twenty pages,…

NEW-YORK TIMES, March 20, 1875  

* Tiburcio Vasquez execution death (1st report)
* Los Angeles, California outlaw bandit

The front page has: "Execution Of The Bandit Vasquez" "Hanged At San Jose, Cal., Yesterday--No Attempt At Rescue--He Is Cool To The Last."
The report about the execution of this colorful outlaw who claimed he never killed a man, reads in part: "The bandit Vasquez was executed today at San Jose...Everything passed off quietly Vasquez asserted to the last his innocence…

THE DAILY PICAYUNE, New Orleans, January 4, 1889

* Outlaw Eugene Bunch
* Gentleman Train Robber

This uncommon title from the deep South has news of the day with many advertisements. Page 3 has an article headed: "BUNCH THE BANDIT" "The Bold Highwayman and His Knowledge of Firearms" "How Bunch Received His Wound in the War" and more.
Complete in 8 pages, light browning, a little margin wear, generally good.

CLEVELAND DAILY LEADER, Ohio, Jan. 8, 1866 

* First - 1st train robbery in America
* New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad

The front page has an article headed: "Robbery of Adams' Express" "Half A Million Stolen" "Robbery", the details provided in a Boston dateline.
What is notable is that most internet sources note that the Reno brothers train robbery of October, 1866 was the very first train robbery in the United States, however "encyclopedia.com" gives the following details…

GREENSBORO PATRIOT, North Carolina, July 10, 1901 

* The Wild Bunch "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
* Wagner,Wyoming - Union Pacific Railroad train robbery 

The top of page 11 has a very fine account of the last train robbery by members of the "Wild Bunch".
This robbery of the Great Northern train happened near Wagner, Montana, but Kid Curry and other members of the Wild Bunch. The article provides much detail and takes over half a column.
Twelve pages, cleanly cut at the spine,…

THE DAILY COMMONWEALTH, Topeka, Kansas, November 25, 1883

* Gage Station train robbery
* Silver City, New Mexico
* Harvey Whitehall

The front page has an article headed: "Train Robbery on the Southern Pacific" (see images) First report coverage on the Gage Station train robbery near Silver City, New Mexico.
Complete with 8 pages, light toning at the margins, generally very nice.

wikipedia notes: On November 24, 1883, a train robbery took place at a way station called Gage, near…

THE OMAHA DAILY BEE, Nebraska, Sept. 26, 1893  The ftpg. has a nice, full column report on a train robbery headed at the top: "ON THE WRONG TRAIN" "Express Robbers in Missouri Who Didn't Know It Was Loaded" "Successful Trick of the Authorities" "Sent Out a Dummy Train in Charge of Well Armed Officers" "Desperate Battle Waged in the Dark" '"Bandits Refused to Surrender & Fought Stubbornly to the Death" "Two of Them Killed in the Fight" and a bit more, with several subheads. The article carries…

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, Detroit, Michigan, November 15, 1883

* Old West train robbery

Page 2 has one column headings that include: "Train Robbery",
"Desperadoes Remove a Rail on the Mexican National Road and Derail a Train", "The Wreck Immediately Surrounded By Forty Masked Men" and more. See photos for interesting report here. Other news of the day. Light browning with some margin wear and tears, should be handled with care.

THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 26, 1893  The front page has two-thirds of a column headed: "TRAIN ROBBERS SHOT" "They Held Up a rain Full of Armed Detectives" "Two Killed Three Captured" "The Train Was A Dummy Sent Out in Expectation of an Attempt at Robbery--All of the Rob beers Residents of St. Joseph, Mo."
The article is quite detailed and shown in the photos. A nice report of a classic, Old West train robbery.

THE CLEVELAND LEADER, Ohio, August 14 , 1878

* Winthrop Junction, Missouri
* Atchison KS Kansas
* Train holdup robbery

This uncommon 8 page issue has news of the with several interesting advertisements throughout.
The front page has one column headings: "A Cool Train Robbery Near Atchison, Kansas" "A Surprise Party" "A Train Coolly Captured by Robbers and $5,100 Made Off With" See image for text here.
Complete, minor margin wear, otherwise in good condition.

WELLSVILLE DAILY REPORTER, New York, July 15, 1902 

* Marshall Pass, Colorado train robbery 
* Narrow Gauge Railroad 
* Wild Bunch ? 

This 4 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "MASKED MEN ROB TRAIN", "At Chester, Colo., 250 Miles West of Denver", "Blew Open Two Express Safes" and more. See photos for 1st report coverage on the Marshall Pass train robbery near Sargents, Colorado. Remnants of the Wild Bunch gang may have been responsible here.

Other news and …

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCAT, Dec. 5, 1883 

* Mormons and polygamy
* President Chester A. Arthur
* Outlaw Frank James trial

Over half of the front page and page of pg. 2 are taken up with: "The President's Message" being the annual state-of-the-union address of Chester  A. Arthur. Near the end he addresses: "The Mormon Question", noting: "...I fear that it is far from indicating any real and substantial progress toward the extirpation of polygamy. All of the members of the Legislature are…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 7, 1884  Page 4 has an article: "FRANK JAMES" "The Peculiar Way in Which His Moberly Friends Reversed Themselves".
Frank James, was a bit of a novelty at the time. He was a Confederate soldier and guerrilla; in the post-Civil War period he was an outlaw. The older brother of outlaw Jesse James, Frank was also part of the James–Younger Gang.
Page 7 has: "Persecuting Mormon Missionaries" which mentions: "...Lewis County, where the two Mormon elders were recently…

WORCESTER EVENING GAZETTE, November 18, 1874

* Train robbery
* Great Western railway
* Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

The front page have one column headings: "Daring Train Robbery" "The Baggageman and Expressman Bound and Gagged by Masked Men" See images for text here.
Other news of the day with several interesting advertisements throughout. Larger than normal issue measures 26 x 20 inches, complete in 4 pages, some spine wear, otherwise nice condition.

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 29, 1877 

* Union Pacific Big Springs robbery
* Old West outlaw - train robber Sam Bass

The front page has over a full column taken up with reports of the Big Springs train robbery of the Union Pacific Railroad, with heads including: "Daring Detectives" "How the Western Train Robbers Were Hunted Down" "The Leader Identified in Spite of His Mask" "A Visit to the Camp of the Sleeping Bandits". This was the robbery that helped make famed outlaw Sam Bass…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, August 15, 1871

* Ku Klux Klan - KKK
* Missouri train robbery

Page 5 has: "The KuKlux" "Arrest of a Gang with their Disguises in North Carolina..."

Also: "An Express Robbery" "How it Was Done..."

Page 3 has: "Base-Ball--Athletic vs. Atlantic'

This issue contains other news of the day. It is complete in 8 pages, and has two archival mends in unrelated areas. It is in nice condition.

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, January 24, 1881  The front page has a headline "A Daring Robbery" in which it was reporting that a train station at Wahoo, Nebraska, was robbed of $932.00.
Other news and advertisements of the day are within.
This is complete in 8 pages with an irregular left spine, edge tears and chipping. This should be handled with care.

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, Jan. 16, 1892  Great full front page showing a train robbery, captioned: 'The Modern Dick Turpin' is a very displayable print. Full page shows 10: 'Beacons Along the South Coast'. Full page with 4 Remington prints on 'The 6th U.S. Cavalry Camp at Rapid Creek'. Nice Remington double page centerfold: 'A Good Day's Hunting in the Adirondacks'. Full page Remington: 'Gen. Carr Receiving the Report of a Scout'.

BOSTON EVENING TRANSCRIPT, July 19, 1881 

* Outlaw Jesse James-Younger gang
* Rock Island railroad train robbery
* Winston, Daviess County, Missouri

Page 2 begins with a quite lengthy account of what was the infamous Rock Island Railroad robbery by the James Gang.
It is headed: "The Great Train Robbery" and begins: "Charles Murray...was the messenger of the U.S. Express Company on the train robbed by the James gang...He gave a correspondent the following account of the affair so far…

THE DAILY JOURNAL, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, Sept. 22, 1893  The front page has most of a column headed: "FOUGHT THE ROBBERS" "Desperate Battle With Bandits on a Western Train" 'Engineer and Fireman Shot" "One of the Robbers Mortally Wounded--There were Only Three of Them and They Were Daring. But They Encountered a Plucky Crew of Trainmen". The article has considerable detail.
Four pages, archivally rejoined at the irregular spine, some margin tears. Somewhat fragile & should be handled…

NEW-YORK TIMES, March 20, 1875  

* Tiburcio Vasquez execution death (1st report)
* Los Angeles, California outlaw bandit

The front page has: "Execution Of The Bandit Vasquez" "Hanged At San Jose, Cal., Yesterday--No Attempt At Rescue--He Is Cool To The Last."
The report about the execution of this colorful outlaw who claimed he never killed a man reads in part: "The bandit Vasquez was executed today at San Jose...Everything passed off quietly Vasquez asserted to the last his innocence…

LIBERAL SENTINEL, Middletown, New York, July 23, 1881 

* Outlaw Jesse James-Younger gang
* Rock Island railroad train robbery

Page 2 has a report noting: "A gang of outlaws, supposed to be the James gang, on Friday night captured a train on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific road...robbed the conductor & a passenger..." and a bit more.
The next page has a much more detailed account of the event, taking three-quarters of a column & headed: "Robbing A Train" "Eye-Witnesses Accounts of…

WORCESTER EVENING GAZETTE, Massachusetts, April 6, 1872 

* Samuel 'Worcester Sam' Perris
* burglar, safe cracker and bank robber
* Jail escape - best title to have

Page 2 has a half column article headed: "Local Matters" "A DARING ESCAPE" "Sam Perris at Liberty" "How He Broke Jail". This is the notorious bank robbery 'Worcester' Sam Perris, who was called one of the most notorious criminals in America. It is said Perris participated in nearly every major bank robbery in the United…

WORCESTER EVENING GAZETTE, Worcester, Massachusetts, April 8, 1872 

* Samuel 'Worcester Sam' Perris
* burglar, safe cracker and bank robber

Page 2 has a half column article headed: "Local Matters" "THE ESCAPE OF SAM. PERRIS" "The Condition of the Jail-Other Escapes". This is the notorious bank robbery 'Worcester' Sam Perris, who was called one of the most notorious criminals in America. It is said Perris participated in nearly every major bank robbery in the United States during a…

THE BETHLEHEM TIMES, Pennsylvania, Aug. 31, 1900  The top of page 3 has column heads: "BANDITS GOT $100,000" "Thrilling Hold Up of Union Pacific Express Train" "Money Belonged to Uncle Sam" "it Was En Route for Manila to Pay American Soldiers--Famous Outlaw Band the Robbers--Now Fighting Desperately to Escape".
The report is datelined from "Table Rock, Wy." and takes over half a column with details of the robbery. This robbery is now ascribed to the work of Butch Cassidy and the "Hole In The…

THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Aug. 29, 1878  

* George Parrott
* "Big Nose George"
* Stagecoach robbery

The front page has an article: "Cheyenne" "Train Robbers in Wyoming--Officers Murdered". This is a great & detailed account of a stagecoach robbery near Medicine Bow, Wyoming.
Four pages, irregular at the spine from disbinding, a bit fragile but in nice condition.

background: On June 2, 1878, near Medicine Bow, Wyoming, the outlaw Big Nose George Parrott and his gang attempted…

CLEVELAND DAILY LEADER, Ohio, Jan. 11, 1866  

* First - 1st train robbery in America - capture
* New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad

The front page has a stack of column heads which include: "Arrest of the Express Robbers" "$250,000 of the Money Recovered". The actual report takes a paragraph and has a subhead: "Captured". The text is a bit blurred from the ink but is readable.
What is notable is that most internet sources note that the Reno brothers' train robbery of October,…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, January 11, 1875

* Tiburcio Vasquez guilty
* Los Angeles, California
* Stage coach robbery

The last column of the front page has a small heading: "Vasquez, The Bandit, Found Guilty" A small item here but still a first report nonetheless.
Other news of the day. Complete in 10 pages, light browning, a little margin wear, otherwise good. Should be handled with care.

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 31, 1878 

* Outlaw Bill Hildebrand
* Southeast Missouri Bushwhacker
* Inventor Thomas Edison

The top of page 3 has heads including: "BRED IN THE BONE" "Bill Hildebrand Following in Sam's Footsteps" which begins: "William Hildebrand, a brother of the renowned Missouri desperado, Sam Hildebrand, following the apparent instinct of the family, show Hugo Veth..." with a bit more (see). And the back page has over a full column on: "Tom Edison Back Again" "The…

THE EVENING TELEGRAPH, Philadelphia, April 5, 1882 

* Outlaw Jesse James assassination

Page 4 has a great editorial concerning the recent (killed 2 days prior) death of Jesse James which includes: "It is somewhat of a shock to the moral sense...to ear the frank statement of the Governor of Missouri that the deliberate murder of the outlaw James was the result of an understanding between the murderer and himself...The revelations of eternity alone will show the magnitude of the criminal…

HELENA WEEKLY HERALD, Montana, Sept. 9, 1897 

* Tom Edward 'Black Jack' Ketchum gang
* Twin Mountain - New Mexico train robbery

The top of the front page has a report headed: "TRAIN ROBBED" "Two Masked Robbers Hold up Passenger Train Near Twin Mountain, Colorado" "The Brutally Use Express Messenger and Force Him to Open the Safe" "Supposed to Have Secured About Ten Thousand Dollars--Registered Mail Also Plundered".
The report reads: "Late last night two masked robbers stopped the…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Nov. 11, 1883  Inside includes: "The Jesse James Drama at St. Joseph"; an article on the outlaw Abe Buzzard: "The Welsh Mountain Outlaw Still at Large" "Armed Citizens Hunting the Bandit--The Pistol & Bowie Knife in Texas". Also of interesting; "California Wine-Making" "Notes of a Trip at Vintage-Time Through Napa Valley" "How the Grape is Converted Into Wine..." and more, a very detailed article taking close to 2 columns.
Twenty pages, nice condition.

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Oct. 9, 1884  Page 2 has: "The Mormon Problem" reports on political issues, noting in part: "...semi-annual post-conference session of the Mormon Constitution Convention...composed largely of polygamists, being a continuous body...John T. Caine reported on his efforts to have Utah admitted as a state..." with more.
Page 3 has several crime-related reports: "A Colored Man Riddled with Buckshot While Seated at the Supper Table" "Arrest of an 'Arkansas Assassin" "Texas…

PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, March 20, 1875 

* Tiburcio Vasquez execution death (1st report)
* Los Angeles, California outlaw bandit

At the bottom of the front page is: Executions", an inconspicuous report headed: "Last of Vasquez--The Bandit Hanged At San Jose". The report, which describes the execution of the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez., states in part: "The bandit Vasquez was executed to-day at San Jose. Not attempt was made at a rescue...Everything passed off quietly. Vasquez…

NEW YORK TIMES, Jan. 17, 1874  

* Arkansas stagecoach robbery - holdup
* Jesse James & Younger gang ? - outlaws

The front page includes: "Stage Robbery by Masked Highwaymen" being a brief report from Little Rock, Arkansas. Through research, this particular robbery may have been one of the very first stagecoach holdups by the famous Jesse James-Young Gang. 
Also on the front page: "The Coal Miners - Meeting in Wilkes Barre--The Delegates Adhere to the Demand for an Advance" reporting on…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 15, 1874 

* Tiburcio Vasquez - the Californio bandido
* Los Angeles area outlaw

The front page has a report of the capture of the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez. Vasquez was a Mexican bandit who was active in California from as early as 1857 until his capture. The Vasquez Rocks, the steep, sloped rocks about 40 miles north of Los Angeles, were one of his many hideouts and received their name from him.
Near the top of the front page is the heading: "The…

THE NEWS & COURIER, Charleston, South Carolina, Sept. 19, 1876  The front page begins with over half a column on: "Black Bandits At Bay" "A Train Wrecked and Fired Into by Negroes" "Origin of the Trouble..." with further subheads.
Also on the front page: "Crook's Command In Trouble le - A March Through a Desert--Hostile Indians and Want of Food".
Page 2 has a notice supporting Samuel J. Tilden for President.
Eight pages, very nice condition.

Background: The front-page coverage in The News &…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 15, 1874 

* Tiburcio Vasquez captured
* California bandido
* Los Angeles outlaw

The front page has a report of the capture of the infamous bandit Tiburcio Vasquez. Vasquez was a Mexican bandit who was active in California from as early as 1857 until his capture. The Vasquez Rocks, the steep, sloped rocks about 40 miles north of Los Angeles, were one of his many hideouts and received their name from him.
Near the top of the front page is the heading: "The Notorious…

THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, April 20, 1903

* James McKinney killed
* Tulare County outlaw
* Bakersfield, California shootout

The top of the front page has a two column headline: "OUTLAW MET A TRAGIC END" with subhead. (see) Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very hard to find issues that are not totally fragile from this era in paper.
Complete with 6 pages, small library stamps within the masthead, a few small binding holes along the spine, generally…

NEW YORK TIMES, March 21, 1874  

* California outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez

Page 4 has over half a column taken up with: "California Bandits" "Two Men Capture A Regular Station, Receive & Plunder the Stage, and Corral the Passengers".
The article begins: "... gives the subjoined account of the recent robbery of a stage by the notorious Vasquez and one other man..." with considerable detail on the robbery of a stagecoach.
Tiburcio Vasquez was one of the more infamous outlaws of Southern…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, April 10, 1884  The top of a page 3 column has heads: "CRIMINAL CALENDAR" "A Dakota Town Marshal Killed by a Desperado" "Murder of a Missouri Farmer--Blowing an Express Safe--Brutal Murder of a Child." The first report begins: "Hank Lewis, a notorious desperado, keeping a saloon, murdered City Marshal J. Pierce early this morning..." with much detail & includes: "...Lewis is one of the worst characters that ever came to the Territory. Some weeks ago he shot at Oscar…

CLEVELAND WORLD, Cleveland, Ohio, October 23, 1892

* Oliver Curtis Perry
* Eastern train robber
* Prison escape

The front page has one column headlines: "PERRY HAS ESCAPED" "The Noted Train Robber and Desperado Gets Out of Auburn" "His Threat Made Good" and more with illustration. See images for text.
Other news of the day. Complete in 16 pages, light browning, some spine wear, otherwise good.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY REPORTER, Wellsville, New York, Aug. 8, 1902

* Old West outlaw Harry Tracy suicide
* Hole-in-the-Wall Gang member death

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "BANDIT TRACY DEAD" with subheads and illustration of Tracy. (see images) Harry Tracy was an outlaw from the closing days of the Old West and is said to have run with Butch Cassidy & the Hole In The Wall Gang.
Complete with 16 pages, light toning at the margins, a little irregular along the spine,…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, December 11, 1880

* Belleville NV Nevada (ghost town)
* Outlaw - desperado lynching

This uncommon Midwestern title has news of the day with many interesting advertisements. Page 6 has an article headed: "LED OUT AND LYNCHED" "The Career of a Notorious Ruffian Cut Short"" "Hanged by a Mob for Committing  a Brutal Murder" See image for text here.
Complete in 12 pages, minor spine wear, very nice condition.

THE SAN DIEGO UNION, California, Feb. 6, 1877 

* Old West publication
* Arizona crime

Among the front page articles is: "Arizona" "Robbery of the California and Arizona Stage--The Robbers captured and Property Recovered". And this is followed by another report: "Later--Indignation Against the Robbers".
Four pages, small binding holes at the blank spine, generally good condition with some minor archival mends at margins. A bit fragile so should be handled carefully.

Background: On…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Sept. 20, 1884  This newspaper has a wealth of crime-related reports including: "A Woman Drugged & Robbed" "The Gaynor Murder Case" "Swinging from a Cottonwood Tree" is from Fort Keogh & reports on the finding of two men who were hanged; "Stabbed to the Heart" "Shot Through the Head" "A Cowboy Killed by a Tenderfoot" "Going to the Gallows" and even more.
Page 7 has: "Personating Frank James", the older brother of outlaw Jesse James.
Twelve pages, nice condition. See…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Nov. 3, 1882  Page 2 has a somewhat brief article headed: "Dick Liddell [Liddil] Released on Bond" noting in part: "...the case of Dick Liddel, on trial for conspiracy in connection with the Mussel Shoals robbery, committed by Frank and Jesse James and Bill Ryan..." with more (see). Page 5 has: "Taught To Be Cowboys" "The Practical Training of Stock Men Made the Object of a School in Texas".
Twelve pages, nice condition.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., July 19, 1852  

* Emigrants travel to California

Page 3 has an article: "Mortality On The Plains" which reports on: "The mortality among emigrants to California by the overland route continues very large..." with some detail.
Also: "Intelligence From California takes over a full column and has subheads; "From the Mining Districts" "Casualties and Crime" "A Slave Case" "The Overland Immigration" "From Southern California" each with various…