Charles Daniel “Dynamite Dick” Clifton, a name that resonates with the lawless spirit of the American Old West, forged a notorious path as a prolific outlaw. His criminal career, marked by daring robberies and violent encounters, inextricably linked him with one of the era’s most feared criminal organizations, the Doolin Gang. Before aligning himself with Bill Doolin and his band of desperadoes in 1892, Daniel Clifton was already a seasoned fugitive, having committed a series of audacious acts including robbery, safecracking, and widespread cattle rustling across the Oklahoma Territory, ensuring that lawmen were in constant pursuit.
The Enigmatic Origins of “Dynamite Dick”
The moniker “Dynamite Dick” itself is steeped in the folklore of the frontier, with two prominent, yet differing, origin stories circulating among contemporary accounts and later historians. One dramatic tale suggests that Clifton earned his explosive nickname when he ingeniously used dynamite to blast himself out of the side of a moving train during a botched attempt to crack a safe, a testament to his audacity and desperate measures. The other, perhaps more plausible, but less sensational, narrative posits that he acquired the nickname after losing three fingers in a childhood accident while, ironically, playing with dynamite. However, a compelling piece of evidence, a newspaper article published posthumously, offers a third, and arguably most chilling, explanation: it indicated that Clifton was known to load his Winchester rifle cartridges with dynamite, plugging them with lead, thus transforming his firearm into a “double death-dealing instrument.” This practice underscores his reputation for extreme violence and his willingness to employ unconventional, deadly tactics in his criminal endeavors.
Joining Forces with the Doolin Gang
Clifton’s entry into the infamous Doolin Gang marked a significant escalation in his criminal career and solidified his place as a key figure in their operations. With his reputation for ruthlessness and his demonstrated expertise in handling explosives, Dynamite Dick Clifton quickly became an indispensable asset, often providing the crucial firepower and strategic insight for the gang’s most perilous enterprises. The Doolin Gang, a formidable group of outlaws operating primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas during the 1890s, benefited immensely from Clifton’s skill and aggressive approach. Together, they embarked on a series of train and bank robberies that terrorized the frontier, constantly outmaneuvering and often clashing violently with the relentless U.S. Marshals and local posses.
Notorious Engagements and Daring Robberies
The Ingalls Gunfight of 1893
One of the most notable confrontations involving Daniel Clifton occurred in 1893 during the infamous Battle of Ingalls, Oklahoma. This bloody gunfight pitted the Doolin Gang against a determined force of U.S. Deputy Marshals. Despite being significantly outnumbered, the gang, including Clifton, engaged in a fierce shootout. During the intense exchange of gunfire, Clifton sustained a serious wound, yet his participation demonstrated his unwavering loyalty and courage under fire. This brutal encounter was a stark reminder of the high stakes involved in frontier law enforcement and the desperate lengths to which outlaws would go to evade capture. Even with his injury, the experience did not deter the tenacious outlaw from continuing his life of crime.
The Southwest City Bank Heist
Clifton’s involvement in a particularly violent bank robbery on May 20, 1895, in Southwest City, Missouri, further cemented his reputation. Alongside fellow notorious gang members, Bill Doolin and Bill Dalton, Dynamite Dick Clifton participated in a meticulously planned heist that quickly turned deadly. During the robbery, J.C. Seaborn was tragically killed, a stark reminder of the lethal consequences of their actions. The gang managed to escape with a substantial sum, adding another chapter to their growing legend and intensifying the manhunt for their capture. Such acts fueled public fear and solidified the gang’s image as merciless criminals.
Imprisonment, Daring Escape, and Relentless Pursuit
The relentless pursuit by law enforcement eventually caught up with Clifton, leading to his capture and imprisonment in Guthrie, Oklahoma. However, his time behind bars was short-lived and spectacularly ended. In a remarkable feat of daring and coordination, Clifton, along with Bill Doolin and thirteen other prisoners, orchestrated an audacious mass escape. Gaining control over a prison guard through a combination of force and cunning, they managed to break free from the confines of the jail, igniting a fresh wave of panic among authorities and the public. This brazen escape was a significant embarrassment for law enforcement and only intensified the resolve of the U.S. Marshals to bring the Doolin Gang and their associates to justice. The escapees scattered, but the hunt for them, particularly for high-profile figures like Clifton and Doolin, became a top priority for frontier lawmen.
The Final Showdown at Newkirk
After their sensational escape, Clifton and Doolin briefly went their separate ways before Clifton sought refuge at a secluded farm outside Newkirk, Oklahoma, a common tactic for outlaws seeking to lie low. However, the long arm of the law was closing in. On December 4, 1896, his hideout was discovered by a determined posse, including several seasoned U.S. Deputy Marshals. Among them was Deputy Marshal Alford Lund, a man known for his tenacity. As Charles Daniel “Dynamite Dick” Clifton attempted a desperate escape, Lund opened fire, striking Clifton and bringing his violent criminal career to an abrupt and final end. He was shot down while trying to flee, meeting the fate that so many outlaws of his era ultimately faced. His body was transported to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he was buried at the government’s expense in the town cemetery, a somber and inglorious end for a man who had lived such a volatile life.
Legacy of an Outlaw
Charles Daniel “Dynamite Dick” Clifton‘s life as an outlaw, though relatively short, left an indelible mark on the history of the American Old West. His story is one of desperation, violence, and the ultimate futility of a life lived outside the law. From his early days of cattle rustling and safecracking to his prominent role in the notorious Doolin Gang, Clifton represented the darker, more volatile side of the frontier. His distinctive moniker, born from either audacious acts or childhood misadventure, cemented his place in the annals of outlaw lore. His dramatic escapes and deadly encounters with law enforcement illustrate the fierce struggle between order and anarchy that defined the era. Clifton’s death at the hands of Deputy Marshal Alford Lund signaled another victory for the relentless pursuit of justice, contributing to the eventual dismantling of the Doolin Gang and the gradual taming of the Wild West. His legacy, however grim, continues to serve as a fascinating, albeit cautionary, tale of a man who chose a path of crime, paying the ultimate price for his choices in a time of unforgiving justice.
