The scorching sun beats down on the dusty plains of the Wild West. Sam Bass, a man known for his dangerous train robberies and strong sense of loyalty is the one we want to tell you about in today's blog. Sam Bass wasn't your typical outlaw! He came a long way from lawman to train robber and many of his stories are more mysteries than facts. Let's see what we could find out about him!
Born in Indiana in 1851, Sam Bass left home at a young age, seeking adventure in the wild west. He has been working various jobs, from farmhand to sawmill worker. Then, surprisingly, he became a deputy sheriff in Denton, Texas, for a short period. What motivated him to switch sides and start a life of crime? Write in the blog's comments what you think!
By the late 1870s, Sam Bass had assembled a group of outlaws known as the Bass Gang. This group of outlaws, unlike some of the more notorious Wild West gangs, primarily targeted trains. Their most infamous heist involved a Union Pacific train carrying a lot of gold near Big Springs, Nebraska, in 1877. Sam Bass's planning and the gang's ruthlessness during the robbery made national headlines.
The life of an outlaw is rarely a long one. After the Union Pacific heist, Sam Bass and his gang faced their end. A shootout in Round Rock, Texas, in 1878, marked the end of the road for Sam Bass. He was mortally wounded and died just two days later, on his birthday.
Nevertheless, Sam Bass became a folk hero in some circles, a symbol of defiance even. Ballads were written about him, keeping his story alive long after his death. However, others view him as a ruthless criminal - his life surely leaves room for debate. But he remains a fascinating figure in the history of the wild west. Villain or folk hero, what's Sam Bass to you?