The names Sontag Brothers resonate with the dramatic tales of Old West outlaws, as John and George Sontag etched their mark as audacious train robbers in the golden state of California. Born and raised in Mankato, Minnesota, these siblings would eventually embark on a criminal career that placed them squarely in the crosshairs of law enforcement, including the formidable Pinkerton Agency, leaving behind a legacy of daring heists and tragic ends.
Their story is one of rebellion against the burgeoning industrial age, fueled by personal grievances and a thirst for illicit gain. The Sontag Brothers, alongside their associate Chris Evans, became symbols of a fading frontier where men sought fortune outside the law, challenging the might of the railroad and the state.
Early Lives and Divergent Paths to Crime
John Sontag, the elder, was born on May 27, 1861. His brother, George Sontag, followed on April 10, 1864. While their childhoods in Minnesota might have seemed typical, their paths soon diverged dramatically, leading both brothers down a perilous road of crime.
George Sontag’s Early Entanglements with the Law
George’s descent into a life of crime began remarkably early. At just 15 years old, he was caught stealing cigars from his employer, an act that landed him in the state reform school in St. Paul. This initial brush with the law proved to be a harbinger of things to come. Upon his release, George attempted to start anew in Nebraska, finding work as a grocery store clerk. However, the allure of easy money proved too strong; he was soon caught embezzling funds from his new employer, resulting in his arrest and incarceration in the Nebraska State Prison. He served his time and was released in 1887, carrying the indelible stain of a convicted felon.
John Sontag’s Grievance and the Birth of a Partnership
Meanwhile, John Sontag had sought a different destiny, moving to Los Angeles, California, in 1878. He found employment with the powerful railroad industry, a common path for many seeking opportunity in the growing West. However, his railroad career was tragically cut short when he suffered a severe industrial accident, leaving him with deep resentment toward the very institution that had promised prosperity. This personal injury and the perceived injustice it entailed would become a powerful motivator for his future criminal enterprises. After recovering, John took up work with a farmer named Chris Evans. It was this partnership, forged out of shared circumstances or perhaps a mutual disdain for authority, that laid the groundwork for their infamous train robbing spree. Harboring profound resentment toward the railroad companies, John Sontag and Chris Evans initiated their daring raids, targeting the very trains that symbolized the corporate power they felt had wronged them.
The California Train Robberies Begin
In 1889, George Sontag made his way to California, joining his brother John and Chris Evans. With George now part of the illicit crew, the trio escalated their criminal endeavors, becoming some of California’s most wanted outlaws. Their method often involved stopping trains in remote areas, using explosives to gain access to the express car, and making off with whatever valuables they could find. These were not random acts; they were calculated strikes against the symbols of the industrial wealth that John, in particular, felt had exploited him.
The Fresno Heist and Pinkerton Pursuit
One of their most significant operations occurred on August 1, 1892, when the trio successfully robbed a train near Fresno, California. This audacious heist yielded three stacks of money, a substantial sum for the time, further cementing their reputation as formidable train robbers. However, such high-profile crimes inevitably attracted the attention of the most tenacious law enforcement agency of the era: the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. The Pinkertons, known for their relentless pursuit of outlaws, immediately launched a full-scale manhunt. Their intensive investigation led to the swift arrest of George Sontag. Despite the Pinkertons’ efforts, John Sontag and Chris Evans, displaying remarkable agility and knowledge of the terrain, managed to evade capture, slipping away into the vast wilderness of California.
The Hunt for John Sontag and Chris Evans
With George Sontag behind bars, convicted and sentenced to a life term at Folsom Prison, the focus shifted to the remaining fugitives. John Sontag and Chris Evans remained at large for almost a year, becoming legendary figures in the local folklore, their exploits reported in sensational newspaper accounts. The Pinkertons and various posses relentlessly pursued them, leading to several tense standoffs and close calls across California’s rugged landscape. The year-long manhunt was characterized by intense pressure on law enforcement to bring the notorious duo to justice, as their continued freedom symbolized a challenge to the rule of law.
The Ultimate Shoot-Out and Tragic End
The prolonged chase finally culminated on June 11, 1893, in a fierce and deadly shoot-out. During the intense exchange of gunfire, John Sontag sustained severe injuries. Recognizing the gravity of his wounds, the posse made the pragmatic decision to wait until morning, when additional help and resources could be marshaled, before attempting to move him. John was eventually transported to Fresno, but his injuries proved fatal. He lingered for another month, battling his wounds, but ultimately succumbed to tetanus, dying a painful and ignominious death. Chris Evans, though also wounded during the violent confrontation, survived the ordeal. He was subsequently convicted for his crimes and, like George, was sent to Folsom Prison, ending his days as a free man.
The Aftermath and Lingering Legacy
The lives of the Sontag Brothers and Chris Evans, though intertwined by crime, took different turns after their captures. Their story, however, left an indelible mark on the history of Old West banditry in California.
George Sontag’s Later Life and Redemption
George Sontag, after serving 15 years of his life sentence, was released from Folsom Prison on March 21, 1908. Perhaps seeking a form of redemption or simply a means to share his extraordinary experiences, he penned a book titled A Pardoned Lifer. This memoir offered a unique perspective on his life of crime, his time in prison, and perhaps his reflections on the choices he made. The book gained enough notoriety to be adapted into a movie in 1914, bringing his story to a wider audience. The exact circumstances of George Sontag’s death remain unknown, leaving a final mystery surrounding one of the notorious Sontag Brothers.
Chris Evans’ Banishment and Final Years
Chris Evans, the third member of the infamous trio, remained imprisoned until 1911. Upon his release, he was banished from California, a harsh but understandable condition given his criminal history and the violence associated with his actions. He spent the remainder of his life in Oregon, far from the scene of his daring train robberies and the legal entanglements that defined a significant portion of his adult life.
Conclusion
The legend of the Sontag Brothers endures as a compelling chapter in the annals of Old West crime. Their story encapsulates the tension of an era marked by rapid industrialization, social unrest, and the desperate acts of individuals who felt wronged by the system. From their humble beginnings in Minnesota to their notorious career as California train robbers, John and George Sontag, alongside Chris Evans, became figures of both fear and fascination. Their confrontation with the relentless Pinkertons, the dramatic shoot-outs, and their ultimate fates serve as a cautionary tale of lives lived outside the law. While their methods were violent and their actions criminal, the Sontag Brothers remain a significant part of California’s rich and often turbulent history, embodying the spirit of rebellion that defined a rugged frontier.
