THE ENGLISH WESTERNERS' SOCIETY
OCTOBER 2009 BOOK REVIEW
This review first appeared in the Tally Sheet (Summer 2007, Volume 53, Number 3)
GREAT TRAIN ROBBERIES OF THE OLD WEST
By R. Michael Wilson, Published by Globe Pequot Press, P.O. Box 480, Guilford, Connecticut, 06437. (also available through Amazon and Alibris) 2007. 167 pp. Illustrations, Introduction, Map, Bibliography, Index, ISBN-13:978-0-7627-4150-2. Paperback $12.95.
R. Michael Wilson is I guess, a new writer to many, but he has written five books now which include: "Drenched in Blood, Rigid in Death; the true story of the Wickenburg massacre"; "Tragic Jack: the true story of Arizona pioneer John William Swilling"; "Encyclopedia of Stagecoach Robbery in Arizona"; "Crime & Punishment in Early Arizona"; and "Encyclopedia of Murder & Execution in the Wild West."
His latest work deals with fourteen western train robberies, some of them the reader will be aware of, but not all. Wilson has gone the extra mile to find out what information is available to give the reader the full story. This separates his books from the others. He has started with the Verdi, Nevada robbery by A. J. Davis (who planned the robbery for the 4th November but due to a train accident the robbery took place on the 5th) and gang and finishes with Burt Alvord's robbery at Cochise Junction. Their robberies included in the book are Joel Collins-Sam Bass gang; the wrecked and bungled train robbery attempt at Cape Horn by Ed Steinigal and George Shinn; the Kit Joy gang who seem to be quite popular these days; the Cornett-Whitley gang; Canyon Diablo robbery; Roscoe Switch robbery by William "Kid" Thompson; Robbery at Blackstone Switch, Cow Creek Canyon; Fleming "Jim" Parker; the Wild Bunch; and The Ketchum gang. The book is well written and flows nicely, the stories exciting. R. Michael Wilson has done a thorough job on each robbery. I would have liked to see a couple of obscure robberies included in the book, but saying that the robberies included have been dealt with very well, and it’s a book you won't want to miss.
GREAT STAGECOACH ROBBERIES OF THE OLD WEST
By R. Michael Wilson. Published by Globe Pequot Press, P.O. Box 480 Guilford, Connecticut, 06437. (also available through Amazon and Alibris) 2007, 191 pages, Illustrations, Introduction, Map, Bibliography, Index, ISBN-13:978-07627-4127-4. Paperback. $12.95.
Its been quite a few years since we have had a book published on stagecoach robberies, which is refreshing, for this reviewer and many others I'm sure? Wilson kicks off with the early bandit Tom Bell (this reviewer has dealt with him in the BRAND BOOK Vol. 35, 2001/02) through further research Wilson states that Bell was never medically trained, and most probably never enlisted during the Mexican war. Further chapters are on Milton A Sharp; and the flour-sack bandit, Bill Brazelton, (There is a photograph of the dead outlaw without his mask, a photo with his mask on as well would have been good.) Others chapters include the robbery at Port Neuf; lawman Steve Venard, and Tarlton B. Scott; the Iron-Clad stagecoach; Ham White's stage robbing activities in Colorado; the Riverside robbery headed by Red Jack Aimer. Robbery at Spearfish; the famous woman bandit Pearl Hart; and what is reputedly the last stage robbery of the west, Ben Kuhl at Jarbridge, Nevada, in 1916, plus much more. Wilson has picked wide, varied, accounts of robberies for his book, and he knows his subject well. In his writings Wilson's philosophy is "The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." Get this book also, it’s a refreshing good read!
Roy O’Dell
Copyright © 2009 English Westerners' Society