In the annals of the American Wild West, few names evoke the thrill and danger of frontier banditry quite like Elza Lay. A cunning and resourceful outlaw, Elza Lay was a pivotal member of Butch Cassidy’s infamous Wild Bunch, a gang that left an indelible mark on the history of crime in the late 19th century. From his humble beginnings in Ohio to his daring exploits across Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico, Lay’s life was a testament to the allure and eventual reckoning of an outlaw’s path, showcasing a complex figure who navigated the harsh realities of the untamed frontier.
Known by various aliases including Elzy Lay and William McGinnis, William Ellsworth Lay found himself entangled with some of the era’s most notorious criminal enterprises. He not only rode with the legendary Wild Bunch operating out of the impenetrable Hole-in-the-Wall Pass in Johnson County, Wyoming, but also occasionally joined forces with the equally infamous Ketchum Gang in New Mexico, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and formidable figure in the world of American outlaws.
Early Life and the Path to Outlawry
William Ellsworth Lay was born on November 25, 1869, in Mount Pleasant, Ohio, to James Landon Lay and Mary Jane Bellew. Shortly after his birth, his family sought new opportunities, relocating to the rugged landscapes of northeastern Colorado. It was in this frontier environment that Lay spent his formative years, a setting that undoubtedly shaped his adventurous spirit. At the tender age of 18, fueled by a craving for excitement and independence, Lay left home alongside his childhood friend, William McGinnis. While McGinnis eventually returned to the comforts of home, Lay chose to remain afield, embracing the transient life of the West. He would later adopt the name “McGinnis” as a convenient alias, often using it when working as a ranch hand to conceal his true identity and avoid drawing unwanted attention.
His destiny truly began to unfold in 1889 when he crossed paths with Butch Cassidy while working on a ranch in Wyoming. An instant bond formed between the two, laying the groundwork for one of the most significant partnerships in Wild West outlaw history. Their friendship deepened, and Lay soon began a relationship with Josie Bassett, the daughter of a prominent rancher known for supplying beef and horses to various outlaw factions. Interestingly, Cassidy himself engaged in a relationship with Josie’s sister, the then 15-year-old Anne Bassett, who would later become a notable female outlaw in her own right. During this period, Lay briefly worked for cattleman Matt Warner, a figure who would inadvertently steer Lay further down the path of crime. Warner provided Lay with his first significant tip for a robbery, revealing that a nearby shopkeeper possessed a substantial sum of cash. Seizing the opportunity, Lay, along with Warner and his nephew Lew McCarty, successfully robbed the man, splitting the ill-gotten gains and marking Lay’s definitive entry into a life of crime.
A Brief Interlude: Gambling House and Reunion
Following his initial success in robbery, Elza Lay attempted a brief foray into legitimate business, opening a gambling house in Vernal, Utah. For a time, the venture proved profitable, drawing in prospectors, cowboys, and travelers seeking entertainment and a chance at fortune. However, the transient nature of frontier towns and the ever-present reach of the law soon caught up with him. Uintah County Sheriff John T. Pope, dedicated to maintaining order in his jurisdiction, eventually shut down Lay’s establishment. With his business closed, Lay retreated from the limelight, returning to Matt Warner’s ranch. It was here that he rekindled his relationship with Josie Bassett, finding a temporary respite from the pressures of his illicit activities. This period of relative quiet lasted until Butch Cassidy was released from an 18-month prison sentence, a moment that would signal Lay’s return to the more intense and dangerous world of organized banditry with the Wild Bunch.
Riding with the Wild Bunch
Upon Butch Cassidy’s release, Elza Lay rejoined his trusted friend, becoming an indispensable member of the notorious Wild Bunch. Operating from their formidable hideout in the Hole-in-the-Wall, this gang quickly rose to prominence, executing a series of daring robberies that cemented their place in Wild West lore. Lay was not merely a participant; he was often a key strategist, helping to plan several of the gang’s most audacious heists. His involvement was critical in numerous operations, showcasing his intelligence and composure under pressure.
One of the most notable robberies Lay participated in occurred in April 1897 at Castle Gate, Utah. This operation, targeting a mining company payroll, netted the gang approximately $8,000, a significant sum for the era. The success of such ventures further emboldened the Wild Bunch, who continued their string of high-stakes crimes, moving swiftly and efficiently across state lines to evade capture. Lay remained an active and central figure with the Wild Bunch until a pivotal event: the dramatic robbery of the Union Pacific train at Wilcox, Wyoming, on June 2, 1899. This particular robbery drew intense scrutiny from law enforcement and the Union Pacific Railroad, marking a turning point for the gang and intensifying the pursuit against its members.
Association with the Ketchum Gang and Capture
The heightened pressure on the Wild Bunch following the Wilcox robbery may have influenced Elza Lay’s decision to temporarily ride with another formidable outlaw group, the Ketchum Gang. On July 11, 1899, just over a month after the Wilcox incident, Lay participated in a train robbery with the Ketchum Gang in New Mexico. During the chaotic events of the heist, Lay sustained an injury but, demonstrating his resilience and skill, still managed to escape the immediate grasp of the law. However, his luck was short-lived. The relentless pursuit by law enforcement eventually caught up with him on August 16, 1899. He was apprehended, subsequently tried, and convicted for his role in the New Mexico robbery. His sentence led him to the New Mexico Territorial Prison, bringing a temporary end to his active outlaw career and marking a significant chapter in his life’s tumultuous journey.
Life After Prison: A New Chapter
After serving a seven-year sentence, Elza Lay was released from the New Mexico Territorial Prison in 1906. Emerging from behind bars, he made the deliberate choice to abandon his outlaw past and attempt to forge a new, legitimate life. He returned to Wyoming, settling in the town of Baggs, a place that, ironically, often served as a stopover for those looking to shed their past identities. In Baggs, Lay established himself as a saloon owner, a common occupation for former frontier figures seeking a more settled existence. Several years later, he embraced domesticity, marrying and starting a family. He and his wife had two daughters, signifying a profound shift from the dangerous, solitary life of a bandit to the responsibilities of a family man. Seeking an even greater distance from his notorious past, Lay eventually moved his family to California. Aside from an alleged visit to the Bassett sisters, there is no known record of Lay having any further contact with members of the Wild Bunch after his release from prison, indicating a clear and decisive break from his former life.
Legacy and Final Days
William Ellsworth “Elza” Lay, a man who once rode with the most infamous outlaws of the American West, lived out his later years in relative obscurity, a stark contrast to the notoriety of his youth. He passed away peacefully in Los Angeles, California, in 1934, far removed from the dusty trails and violent encounters that defined his early life. His final resting place is at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, a tranquil setting near Los Angeles. Though not as widely recognized as Butch Cassidy or the Sundance Kid, Elza Lay’s strategic mind and active participation were crucial to the success and legend of the Wild Bunch. His life story encapsulates the dramatic arc of many Old West figures: a period of intense criminal activity followed by a deliberate attempt at redemption and a quiet, domestic existence. He remains a fascinating character, a reminder of the complex lives lived on the fringes of society during the shaping of the American frontier.
