In the annals of the Old West, few names evoke the thrill of daring heists quite like Joel Collins. This notorious figure was not just another outlaw; he was a pivotal participant in one of the most significant train robberies in American history – the legendary Big Springs train robbery in Nebraska. His journey from a Texas bartender to a hardened desperado allied with the infamous Sam Bass is a tale of ambition, fraud, and ultimately, a violent end.
Joel Collins first crossed paths with Sam Bass in San Antonio, Texas, where Collins worked as a bartender. Both shared a mutual passion for horse racing, a common ground that quickly forged a partnership. This alliance soon veered into illicit activities as they began operating a crooked horse racing scheme. For a year, the pair navigated the Texas racetrack circuit, exploiting their system until seasoned professional horsemen uncovered their deception, forcing them to abandon their fraudulent enterprise.
From Cattle Drives to Con Schemes
Before his life of crime, Collins was a seasoned frontiersman, having successfully completed four cattle drives from Texas to the bustling cowtowns of Kansas between 1871 and 1874. His familiarity with the cattle trade soon sparked a new, albeit dishonest, venture. Leveraging his local reputation, Collins purchased a large herd of several hundred cattle. To finance this acquisition, he issued multiple promissory notes, pledging repayment after the cattle were sold. Accompanied by Sam Bass and another associate named Jack Davis, Collins drove the herd north to Ogallala, Nebraska. There, they successfully sold the cattle, netting a considerable $8,000.
However, instead of honoring their financial obligations and returning to Texas to settle their debts, the trio decided to pursue another dream: the gold-rich Black Hills of Deadwood, South Dakota. Arriving in the fall of 1876, they were met with harsh realities. The pervasive snow and freezing rains rendered mining virtually impossible. Undeterred, they shifted their focus to other pursuits. Jack Davis embarked on building a brothel for a prostitute named Maud, while Bass and Collins attempted to establish a freight outfit. Unfortunately, their entrepreneurial spirit was overshadowed by a penchant for gambling, heavy drinking, and frequenting the local ‘ladies of the night.’ It wasn’t long before their funds dwindled, pushing the trio further down the path of outlawry.
The Black Hills Bandits and Escalating Crime
Their descent into full-blown banditry saw them joined by three more men: Tom Nixon, Bill Heffridge, and Jim Berry. This newly formed gang, soon to be known as the Black Hills Bandits, began their criminal spree by targeting stagecoaches in the Deadwood area. These early robberies were often violent, with one incident resulting in the tragic death of a stage driver. Despite the risks, stagecoach robberies proved less profitable than anticipated, especially when the spoils had to be divided among six individuals. This realization prompted the gang to set their sights on a much grander and more lucrative target: the trains.
The Infamous Big Springs Train Robbery
The pivotal moment in Joel Collins‘s criminal career came on September 18, 1877, when the Black Hills Bandits executed the audacious Big Springs train robbery. Their target was the Union Pacific Railroad in Big Springs, Nebraska. The heist was a resounding success, with the gang making off with an astounding sum of over $60,000 – a fortune in that era. After dividing the substantial loot, the outlaws wisely decided to split into pairs, each heading in a different direction to evade capture.
Collins and Bill Heffridge rode south, following the Republican River into Kansas, eventually reaching Buffalo Station (now known as Park). Their presence, however, did not go unnoticed. They were recognized, and authorities were swiftly notified of their whereabouts. As the pair prepared to continue their journey south towards Texas, their flight was abruptly halted.
The Demise of Joel Collins
They were confronted by Ellis County Sheriff George Bardsley, who was accompanied by ten formidable cavalry troopers from Fort Hays. Initially, Collins and Heffridge maintained an appearance of calm and innocence, agreeing to return to the station with Bardsley for questioning. However, as they rode, the charade shattered. In a moment of desperate defiance, Collins drew his pistol, shouting, “By God! Let’s die game!” Despite his declaration, the overwhelming presence of the cavalry sealed their fate. Before either outlaw could fire a shot, they were both gunned down. Hidden within a pair of Collins’s pants, authorities recovered a significant portion of the loot – approximately $20,000 in gold coins.
The bodies of Joel Collins and Bill Heffridge were then transported to Ellis, Kansas, where they were positively identified. They were subsequently buried in the local cemetery. Today, the old graveyard contains several unmarked graves, making it impossible to definitively locate the final resting places of these two notorious outlaws.
The Fates of the Other Bandits
The Big Springs train robbery sent ripples throughout the Old West, leading to the eventual demise of many involved. James Berry was later killed in Missouri. Sam Bass, who famously continued his spree, met his end in Round Rock, Texas, ambushed by vigilant Texas Rangers. Interestingly, not all members of the Black Hills Bandits faced the same grim fate. Tom Nixon and Jack Davis, two key figures in the infamous heist, were never apprehended, successfully disappearing into the vastness of the American frontier, their ultimate destinies unknown.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Daring and Deceit
Joel Collins‘s story is a compelling chapter in the history of Old West outlawry. From his early days of crooked horse racing and cattle fraud to his role as a mastermind in the Big Springs train robbery, Collins embodied the desperate ambition and ultimate recklessness that defined many figures of that era. His defiant last stand against overwhelming odds, while tragic, cemented his place in the lore of the Wild West. Though his life of crime was cut short, his impact on the criminal underworld of the 1870s remains a testament to the allure and danger of an era shaped by lawlessness and the pursuit of fortune, no matter the cost.
