The story of Albert Herndon is a remarkable chapter in the annals of American frontier crime and redemption. A young man from Dallas who unexpectedly fell in with the notorious Sam Bass Gang, Albert Herndon quickly found himself entangled in a life of outlawry, culminating in his dramatic capture and an unlikely path to freedom. His journey from a spirited youth to a federal prisoner and eventually a pardoned citizen is a testament to the complexities of justice in the Old West.
Born Albert G. Herndon, he was one of five sons to John W. and Mary E. McCommas Herndon. Before his fateful encounter with Sam Bass, Herndon was known primarily for a youthful wildness, a certain boisterousness that set him apart from his peers but had not, until then, crossed the line into serious criminality. He hailed from a respectable family, making his descent into outlaw life all the more surprising to those who knew him.
The Audacious Ambitions of the Sam Bass Gang
Sam Bass, initially a relatively unsuccessful robber of smaller railroad lines, harbored grander ambitions. Realizing the need for a larger, more formidable crew to tackle the burgeoning riches of major railways, Bass actively sought out new recruits. His targets were often young, impressionable farm boys from seemingly respectable backgrounds, lured by the promise of adventure and quick wealth. Among these eager young men from Dallas were Albert Herndon and his friend, Sam Pipes.
Bass’s strategy was to expand his gang’s capabilities, moving beyond petty robberies to more lucrative, high-stakes targets. This recruitment drive brought fresh, if inexperienced, blood into his operation, setting the stage for one of the gang’s most notable, albeit ultimately disappointing, train robberies.
The Mesquite Springs Train Robbery: A Fateful Miscalculation
Despite warnings and pleas from friends who foresaw the dangers, Herndon was determined to join the gang. His decision led him to participate in a fateful robbery on April 10, 1878. The target was a Texas & Pacific Railroad train near Mesquite Springs, Texas. The gang, including Herndon, orchestrated the holdup with the intention of seizing a significant sum.
However, the execution of the robbery proved to be a significant miscalculation. While they managed to commandeer the train and secure a paltry sum of $152, they critically overlooked a hidden shipment of $30,000 that was also on board. This oversight turned what could have been a major score into a relatively insignificant haul, only further fueling the intensity of the subsequent manhunt by law enforcement.
The Swift Hand of Justice: Pursuit and Capture
The Mesquite Springs robbery, regardless of its modest financial return, galvanized local lawmen and the formidable Texas Rangers. The Rangers, renowned for their relentless pursuit of criminals, launched an aggressive campaign to track down the Sam Bass Gang. The pressure mounted quickly, and within days of the robbery, the net began to tighten around the new recruits.
On April 22, 1878, just twelve days after the robbery, Texas Ranger June Peak successfully apprehended both Albert Herndon and Sam Pipes. The two young men, who had barely embarked on their life of crime, were taken to the Dallas County Jail, their brief adventure with the Sam Bass Gang abruptly brought to an end. Their capture marked a significant victory for law enforcement in their ongoing efforts to dismantle Bass’s notorious outfit.
Imprisonment and an Infamous Cellmate
Their legal fate was sealed swiftly. On July 17, 1878, Albert Herndon and Sam Pipes were convicted of robbing the United States Mail, a serious federal offense that carried a harsh penalty. Both were sentenced to life in prison, a daunting prospect for young men who had only recently tasted the thrill of rebellion. They were initially incarcerated in a prison in Austin, Texas. It was during this period that they shared a cell, albeit briefly, with one of the most infamous figures of the Old West: the legendary gunfighter John Wesley Hardin.
The encounter with Hardin, a man known for his violent exploits and unwavering defiance, must have been a profound experience for the two young, green outlaws. Sharing close quarters with such a notorious character offered a stark glimpse into the hardened reality of prison life and the company it kept, a stark contrast to the romanticized adventure they had perhaps envisioned.
Transfer to Sing Sing: A New York State of Confinement
Their stay in Austin was temporary. Both Herndon and Pipes were eventually transferred to Sing Sing Federal Prison in New York. This move signified a deeper immersion into the federal penal system, far from their Texas roots and the familiar landscape of their short-lived outlaw careers. Sing Sing, with its imposing architecture and reputation, represented a new chapter of severe confinement, testing the resilience of the young prisoners.
A Path to Redemption: The Prison Plague and Presidential Pardon
Years into their life sentences at Sing Sing, an unexpected opportunity for redemption arose. In 1886, a devastating plague swept through the prison population, overwhelming its medical facilities and staff. Faced with widespread illness and death, the prison became a chaotic and dangerous environment. In a remarkable display of courage and compassion, Herndon and Pipes volunteered to serve as nursing assistants, stepping into the breach when others recoiled from the risk.
Their selfless actions, tirelessly tending to the sick and suffering inmates, did not go unnoticed. Their dedication and bravery in the face of mortal danger demonstrated a profound change of character. As a direct result of their extraordinary efforts and humanitarian service, President Grover Cleveland granted them complete pardons in the same year. This act of presidential clemency was a rare and significant recognition of their rehabilitation and valor, marking an end to their incarceration.
Life After Sing Sing: Disappearance and a Fading Legacy
Upon their release, both men returned to Dallas on January 5, 1887, having been given a second chance at life. While Sam Pipes re-entered society and eventually married Sallie Caton Collins, the widow of another Bass Gang member, Billy Collins, the trajectory of Albert Herndon‘s life took a different turn. After his return to Dallas, Albert Herndon effectively disappeared from historical records. His subsequent life, free from the notoriety of his past, remains largely unchronicled, fading into the fabric of anonymous citizenry.
Sam Pipes, however, faced a tragic end. While working as a bartender, a pistol he was carrying accidentally discharged, hitting him in the upper leg. He succumbed to complications from the wound a short time later, on February 16, 1889, bringing a poignant conclusion to his own journey from outlaw to pardoned man. Herndon’s quieter departure from the public eye stands in stark contrast to his friend’s more documented, and ultimately fatal, post-prison life.
Conclusion: The Silent Echoes of a Pardoned Life
The narrative of Albert Herndon is a captivating, albeit brief, glimpse into the life of a young man who strayed from the straight and narrow path, only to find an unexpected route to redemption. From his initial involvement with the infamous Sam Bass Gang and the ill-fated Mesquite Springs robbery, to his life sentence and an unlikely pardon for heroic service during a prison plague, Herndon’s story underscores the complex interplay of crime, justice, and human resilience in the American West. His decision to disappear quietly into history after his pardon speaks volumes, suggesting a desire to leave his outlaw past behind and forge a new, unburdened existence, a silent triumph over his youthful misdeeds.
