The Notorious Train Robberies Of Texas: A Look Back In History

Believe it or not, train robberies were not just a thing in the old days of Texas' history; they were still a thing going into the 20th century. As we'll find out, the time a train robbery occurred in the state was just over 50 years ago. But we'll get there when we get there. Here are some infamous train robberies that Texas is known for.

The outlaw Sam Bass was the first person to rob a train in Texas

According to the city of Allen, TX, the very first train robbery occurred on February 22, 1878 by the infamous outlaw, Sam Bass from Denton, Texas. He and 5 other men robbed a Houston and Texas Central Railroad passenger train & stole $1280.00 in silver coins. (That's about over $16,000 in today's society).

In 1878, another infamous train robbery would occur in Texas, by the same man.

1878 Mesquite Train Robbery

Sam Bass would rob ANOTHER train in Texas just 2 months later on April 10, 1878. He would hold up a train but only steal about $152. The Texas Rangers would eventually catch up with Sam & his gang; they would ambushed in Round Rock, Texas on July 18, 1878 & would die in a hail of gunfire.

The 1912 Baxter's Curve Train Robbery

West Texas would be the setting of another train robbery that occurred on March 13, 1912. Although this one, was thwarted as we will soon find out. A former sidekick of Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, Ben Kilpatrick & Ole Hobek would board a train at Dryden, Texas while on its way to El Paso. The 2 men ordered the engineer to stop the train at Baxter's Curve; they would search for valuables from the passengers & on the train.

Unbeknownst to them, a Wells Fargo Express manager, David A. Trousdale, managed to kill both Ben & Ole. He killed one with an ice mallet & shot the other one with the first man's rifle. Today there is a historic marker found in Sanderson, Texas with a brief description of what happened on that day.

1970 Brackenridge Eagle Train Robbery

The last train robbery to ever occur in Texas is just little over 50 years ago; and it happened at, of ALL PLACES, the San Antonio Zoo. ON July 18, 1970, at the Brackenridge Eagle (now known as the San Antonio Zoo Eagle), was robbed by two masked gunmen. Many people laughed and thought this was a joke until one of the bandits pulled out a revolver. The thieves stole $500, car keys, checkbooks & credit cards.

And they would've gotten away with it too...had it not be for the local police department. The two men were soldiers stationed at Fort Sam Houston. Most of the stuff was recovered; the cash never was. Both men were sent to prison. To this day, this remains the final train robbery to ever occur in Texas, AND the United States.

Today the San Antonio Zoo even holds re-enactments of what is known as "The Great (Little) Train Robbery"

While train robberies might be a thing of the past, there have been still crimes involving trains. One particular unsolved case still haunts the people of Arizona nearly 30 years later; you can read that story here.

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