Bandit Haven: The Hole-in-the-Wall Gangs and the Final Chapter of the Wild West by Tom Clavin
From the publisher: Robbers Roost, Brown’s Hole, and Hole in the Wall were three hideouts that collectively were known to outlaws as “Bandit Heaven.” During the 1880s and ‘90s these remote locations in Wyoming and Utah harbored hundreds of train and bank robbers, horse and cattle thieves, the occasional killer, and anyone else with a price on his head.
Clavin’s Bandit Heaven is the entertaining story of these tumultuous times and the colorful characters who rode the Outlaw Trail through the frigid mountain passes and throat-parching deserts that connected the three hideouts—well-guarded enclaves no sensible lawman would enter. There are the “star” residents like gregarious Butch Cassidy and his mostly silent sidekick the Sundance Kid, and an array of fascinating supporting players.
From Marya Johnston, owner: If you live in the West and you don’t know about the Outlaw Trail, this book is for you. If you DO know about our outlaw history, it’s still a new, fun read. I was telling some young men about this book the other day and they didn’t know who Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were. How is that possible? Here in western Colorado, we literally follow in the footsteps of the Wild Bunch. They traipsed all over the ground we walk on!
This is a small book full of lots of rich history and interesting characters; many of whom have books written about them in their own rite: Tom Horn, the ruthless bounty hunter; Matt Warner, outlaw turned sheriff; the Basset Women, Anne and Josie, who grew up around the Wild Bunch; Charlie Saringo, the Pinkerton “Cowboy Detective” who spent his life chasing after Butch. Their colorful lives are all detailed in this book. And if you want to read more about them, we’ve got lots of books on these people in the store!
I know a thing or two about the Wild Bunch and the Outlaw Trail, and I can tell you that Tom Clavin has done some extensive research…and gets it right. I’m planning on giving this book to several members of my family. It’s a great read and would make a gift that anyone would be happy to receive.
