The Portneuf Canyon Robbery of July 26, 1865, remains one of the most audacious and brutal stagecoach hold-ups in Idaho Territory’s history, forever etching its name into the annals of Old West crime. This meticulously planned Portneuf Canyon Robbery involved a corrupt sheriff and a gang of ruthless outlaws, culminating in a deadly ambush that left five innocent passengers dead and a significant fortune in gold stolen.
Before the arrival of the railroad, freight and stage lines were the lifeblood of transportation, moving vital trade goods and precious gold between Montana and Utah through the rugged terrain of Idaho Territory. In 1864, Ben Holladay expanded his stage line, a crucial service despite the inherent dangers of the frontier paths. The Portneuf Road, stretching from Virginia City, Montana, to Pocatello, Idaho, frequently carried gold from the rich Montana mines, making it a prime target for thieves who lurked in the dense, forested areas along the trail.
The Masterminds of Mayhem
The plot for the infamous Portneuf Canyon Robbery began to unfold in May 1865, when four notorious outlaws convened in a saloon in Boise City, Idaho. The self-proclaimed leader of this dangerous quartet was Brockie Jack, a hardened criminal who had recently made a daring escape from jail in Oregon and was hiding out on a nearby ranch. Joining him was the enigmatic Big Dave Updyke, an individual with a deeply troubling dual identity. Despite being elected Ada County Sheriff just months prior, Updyke was known to associate with felons and was under close surveillance by the vigilant Payette Vigilance Committee. The third member, Willy Whittmore, was infamous for his volatile temper and deadly accuracy with a firearm. The final, less prominent member of the group was Fred Williams, whose role would prove pivotal.
Planning the Perfect Crime
On May 31, 1865, the four conspirators departed Boise City, embarking on a journey over 200 miles toward the Portneuf Stage Route in eastern Idaho. They established a base camp at Ross Fork Creek, near Fort Hall, where they meticulously ironed out the intricate details of their planned hold-up. Fred Williams was dispatched to Virginia City, Montana, with the critical mission of gathering intelligence on upcoming gold shipments. Once he confirmed the presence of valuable cargo on a specific stagecoach, he was to purchase a ticket and ride along as an unsuspecting passenger.
While Williams was away, Brockie Jack, Big Dave Updyke, and Willy Whittmore traveled south along the stage road, scouting for the ideal ambush location. A few miles south of what is now present-day Pocatello, they discovered a narrow, heavily timbered, and rocky canyon, choked with dense brush. This location offered perfect concealment and a natural choke point. Satisfied, the trio meticulously planned their strategy, gathering large boulders and concealing them nearby, ready to be rolled into the road to block the stage. They also decided that Willy Whittmore, armed with a new Henry repeating rifle, would be tasked with shooting the lead horses if the driver attempted to circumvent their roadblock.
The Fateful Journey
With the plans set, the three bandits retreated to Ross Fork Creek to await word from their accomplice, Fred Williams. Nearly two weeks passed before they received any news. Finally, on July 21, 1865, the stagecoach departed Virginia City, piloted by the experienced driver Charlie Parks, and carrying seven passengers. Among them was Fred Williams, posing as an ordinary traveler. The stagecoach traversed the Ruby Mountains, spending its first night at the Corral Station near present-day Dillon, Montana. For the next three days, the coach continued its route, passing through areas where the Union Pacific Railroad would eventually lay its tracks to Pocatello.
On the fourth evening, the stagecoach made its overnight stop at the Sodhouse Station. After the passengers concluded their evening meal, Williams discreetly excused himself and made his way to the Ross Fork Camp. The other outlaws were overjoyed to learn from Williams that two large strongboxes, heavily laden with gold, were indeed being transported on the stage. After a celebratory whiskey, Williams returned to the station, his absence unnoticed by the other passengers.
The Bloody Ambush in Portneuf Canyon
The morning of July 26, 1865, dawned, and the coach resumed its journey. Around midday, it approached a stream near where the three outlaws were hidden, nestled in the dense brush of the canyon. As the coach slowed to cross the water, then ascended the bank, it came to an abrupt halt. The stagecoach was blocked by the carefully placed boulders. Suddenly, Brockie Jack, Big Dave Updyke, and Willy Whittmore emerged from their hiding places, brandishing their weapons.
In a surprising turn of events, one of the passengers, Sam Martin, a professional gambler, bravely poked his head out of the coach door, a revolver in hand. He aimed at Whittmore and fired, shooting off Whittmore’s left index finger. Enraged by the wound and convinced they were caught in a trap, Whittmore screamed,
