Known as Ben Kilpatrick, or more famously as “The Tall Texan,” this formidable figure carved a notorious legacy as one of the most prolific train robbers of the American Old West. His criminal career, intertwined with legendary outlaw gangs, left an indelible mark on the era, culminating in a violent end that underscored the dangerous life he chose. From his early days as a cowboy to his involvement with the infamous Wild Bunch, Ben Kilpatrick embodied the brazen defiance of the frontier’s most wanted.
Born on January 5, 1874, in Concho County, Texas, Ben Kilpatrick was the third of nine children to George Washington Kilpatrick, a Tennessee-born farmer, and his wife, Mary. His early life was typical of the era, working as a cowboy where he forged friendships that would ultimately steer him towards a life of crime. It was during these formative years that he met other aspiring outlaws, including the notorious Thomas and Sam Ketchum, and William Carver, men who would become his partners in illicit ventures. Standing an impressive 6 feet, 2 inches tall, his towering stature quickly earned him the moniker “The Tall Texan.” Descriptions of him often highlighted his light complexion, pale yellow eyes, each uniquely marked with a violet spot, and his exceptional shooting skills. He was widely regarded as “absolutely fearless,” a trait that served him well in his dangerous profession.
The Ascent into Outlawry: From Ketchum Gang to the Wild Bunch
Kilpatrick and his cowboy companions soon recognized a perceived easier path to wealth than the arduous life of ranching. This realization led to the formation of the Ketchum Gang, which quickly gained notoriety for its train robberies across New Mexico. However, their luck took a turn after a failed robbery attempt, prompting Kilpatrick to seek refuge. He fled to the infamous Robbers’ Roost in Utah, a notorious hideout for outlaws. It was there, in 1898, that he joined the legendary Wild Bunch, a move that would solidify his place in Old West history.
Life with Butch Cassidy’s Wild Bunch
Under the leadership of the enigmatic Butch Cassidy, the Wild Bunch boasted an impressive roster of notorious figures, including the cunning Sundance Kid, the ruthless Harvey Logan, George Curry, William Carver, Elza Lay, and Bob Meeks. Kilpatrick quickly integrated into the gang, and his presence further enhanced their formidable reputation. During this period, Ben Kilpatrick also became romantically involved with Laura Bullion, an independent and spirited woman who had previously been Will Carver’s girlfriend. Together, this infamous collective embarked on what would become one of the most successful train-robbing careers in history, their exploits becoming the stuff of legend.
The Wild Bunch’s brazen operations included several high-profile heists. On August 29, 1900, Kilpatrick, alongside Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, Harvey Logan, and William Carver, executed a daring robbery of the Union Pacific train at Tipton, Wyoming. This audacious act was followed swiftly by a raid on the First National Bank of Winnemucca, Nevada, on September 19, which netted the gang a substantial $32,640. The following year, their criminal prowess continued as they seized an impressive $65,000 from the Great Northern train near Wagner, Montana. However, the relentless pursuit of law enforcement and the internal dynamics of such a volatile lifestyle meant their reign would eventually come to an end.
Capture, Imprisonment, and a Brief Return to Crime
The net began to close in on the Wild Bunch in April 1901, when William Carver was ambushed by Sheriff Elijah Briant and his deputies in Sonora, Texas. While Kilpatrick managed a narrow escape, Carver succumbed to his wounds. In the aftermath, Ben and his girlfriend, Laura Bullion, made their way to St. Louis, Missouri. Their flight was short-lived, however, as they were apprehended on November 8, 1901. Kilpatrick was found guilty of robbery and sentenced to a formidable 15 years in prison, while Laura received a five-year sentence. After serving 3 ½ years, Laura was released from the Missouri State Penitentiary, never to see her outlaw lover again.
Ben Kilpatrick served his lengthy sentence at the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia. After enduring ten years of his 15-year term, he was finally released in June 1911. Despite the harsh reality of prison life, Kilpatrick’s criminal inclinations remained undimmed. He quickly reverted to a life of lawlessness, believed to have participated in several train robberies outside Memphis, Tennessee, in November 1911 and February 1912, as well as engaging in other smaller robberies across West Texas. Yet, like his earlier successes, this renewed spree of crime was destined to be fleeting.
The Final Robbery: Baxter’s Curve and a Deadly Encounter
On the evening of March 12, 1912, destiny beckoned. The Galveston, Harrisburg, & San Antonio Railroad Train No. 9, with engineer D. E. Grosh at the throttle, departed Del Rio, Texas, around 8:00 p.m. Just before midnight, the train made a routine stop in Dryden to take on water. As it prepared to pull away, Kilpatrick and his new accomplice, Ole Hobek – a man he had met during his imprisonment – stealthily climbed aboard the engine. The masked duo then ordered Grosh to proceed to the first iron bridge east of Baxter’s Curve, a remote location roughly halfway between Dryden and Sanderson. There, the bandits commanded the train to stop and had the passenger cars and caboose uncoupled from the engine, mail, and baggage cars. Without the hinderance of the passengers, the engine then crossed the bridge, traveling approximately half a mile further down the tracks to a pre-arranged spot where their horses awaited. With the train stopped again, they commenced the holdup.
While Ole Hobek kept a watchful eye on the engineer, Ben Kilpatrick moved towards the baggage car, confronting David Trousdale, the Wells Fargo express agent assigned to the train. As they passed a shipment of iced oysters, Trousdale, with remarkable presence of mind, seized an ice mallet and cleverly concealed it within his clothing. Kilpatrick proceeded to fill a bag with an estimated $60,000. However, as he prepared to make his exit, the courageous Trousdale saw his chance. With a swift and decisive blow, he struck Kilpatrick on the head with the ice mallet, killing him instantly. The express manager, now armed with the bandit’s gun, awaited. When Hobek, growing impatient, came looking for his partner, Trousdale promptly shot him, ending the second outlaw’s life. The official time of this dramatic robbery and confrontation is recorded at 12:05 a.m. Following the deadly encounter, the engineer backed up the train, re-coupled the passenger cars, and continued to Sanderson.
Agent Trousdale, hailed as a hero, assisted in unloading the deceased bodies and turned over the six weapons the robbers had been carrying. The lifeless bodies of Ben Kilpatrick and Ole Hobek were posed for photographs, a grim testament to the violent end of their criminal careers, and were subsequently interred in a joint grave at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Sanderson, Texas.
Conclusion
The Baxter’s Curve Train Robbery, also known as the Sanderson Train Robbery, stands as one of the last significant train robberies in Texas history. Though the Newton Gang would commit the very last such heist near Uvalde in 1914, the brutal and decisive ending of Ben Kilpatrick’s life at the hands of David Trousdale marked a symbolic turning point. Kilpatrick, “The Tall Texan,” lived and died by the gun, a quintessential figure of the Wild West’s vanishing era of outlawry. His story serves as a stark reminder of the lawless frontiers, the thrill of rebellion, and the inevitable consequences that awaited those who dared to challenge the expanding reach of justice.
