Sam Bass: The Ballad and the Man

Western Folklore, Summer 2003 by McEntire, Nancy Cassell

Those who happened to be on the streets were startled at the report which came to the city on the arrival of the incoming or west bound passenger train on the Texas and Pacific railroad, about twelve o-clock last night, that another train robbery had just occurred at Mesquite, thirteen miles from the city.

From what could be learned from the conductor of the train, and several passengers who got off at this place, the following seems to be the true version of the affair:

. . . There were about twenty-five passengers on the train. The convict train was lying about one hundred yards from where the robbery occurred, on a sidetrack, and in the general engagement the guards fired into the robbers. In retaliation the robbers threatened to release the convicts, but did not do so.

The robbers were masked, and when they left the express car they separated, going leisurely in every direction.

Mr. Sam. Finley and others of the Texas express company, although they had just returned from a trip after the Eagle Ford robbers, started in pursuit of the robbers at about half-past two o'clock this morning. . . .

Several have offered the opinion that the robbers were cow-boys, headed by a man who is nearly six feet high, with beard all over his face. he had a fine, shrill voice; wore a broad brim light-colored, low-crown hat; and a slouch coat of coarse texture.

Great apprehension was felt by people on the streets when the news spread last night that the robbers might make a dash into this city and attempt to rob the banks. Precautionary measures in the shape of shotguns have been prepared for them, however, and a warm reception will be given them if they come this way. The excitement on the streets was intense (Gard 1936:132).

In the days following the Mesquite train robbery, the Texas Rangers went to work. At the end of an intense 100-day search led by Major John B. Jones of the Texas rangers, the names of gang members Barnes, Spotswood, Jackson, Underwood, Pipes, Herndon were revealed, two of the gang had been given prison sentences, three had been killed by Texas Rangers, and one, after giving information to the Rangers, had committed suicide. Yet although reports of Sam Bass continued to pour in, he could not be found. The general belief was that Sam Bass and Company had successfully escaped from the area, though they were actually close by the whole time.11 According to Webb,

Rumors were flying everywhere. Some said that the gang numbered sixty men with eight or ten participating in each robbery. They had their rendezvous in Denton County and had spies on the trains to signal them as to danger from armed guards. There were also friends and spies in Denton and these kept the robbers informed as to the movements of every stranger. (1965:373)

In May of 1878, Major Jones stepped up his efforts by arresting James W. Murphy and his father Henderson Murphy of Denton, Texas, for harboring Sam Bass. In order to have the case dismissed, James Murphy offered to help capture the outlaw. Excerpts of Murphy's sworn statement of july 23, 1878, are as follows: