Butch Cassidy: Train Robbing Legend

Butch Cassidy mugshotPhoto byHistory

BEAVER, UT (RAILFAN JOURNAL) - In the annals of American criminal history, the name Butch Cassidy stands out as one of the most infamous figures of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Born as Robert LeRoy Parker on April 13, 1866, in Beaver, Utah, Butch Cassidy's life journey from a humble upbringing to a notorious train robber is a tale that has captivated the imagination of many.

Cassidy's criminal career began in the 1880s when he joined a group of cattle rustlers known as the "Wild Bunch." Under the mentorship of Mike Cassidy, he adopted the alias "Butch Cassidy" and soon became a prominent member of the gang. It was during this time that he gained notoriety for his involvement in bank and train robberies across the American West.

One of Cassidy's most famous exploits occurred on August 29, 1900, when he and his gang, including the infamous Sundance Kid, successfully robbed the Union Pacific Overland Flyer near Wagner, Montana.

The robbery yielded a substantial haul of $50,000, equivalent to over $1.5 million today. The audacious nature of this heist, combined with the gang's ability to elude law enforcement, turned Butch Cassidy into a legendary figure.

Cassidy's life on the run eventually led him and the Sundance Kid to South America, where they continued their criminal activities. Despite attempts by law enforcement to capture them, the duo managed to evade capture for several years.

The ultimate fate of Butch Cassidy remains shrouded in mystery. Some accounts suggest that he was killed in a shootout in Bolivia in 1908, while others claim that he returned to the United States under an assumed identity.

Regardless of his final days, Butch Cassidy's criminal escapades have left an indelible mark on American history, making him a symbol of the Wild West's lawless era and the daring train robbers who defined it.