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Before the period of time when train and bank
robbers used the The Outlaw Trail, it was used to run
stolen cattle from north to south. Cattle barons
in Wyoming and Montana controlled most of the grazing
land and claimed the land as their own. Homesteaders
found life in that land to be nearly impossible. In
defense, they would go to work for the barons, however,
while on duty, they would run unbranded stock into the
hideouts. After a nice size herd was collected,
they would run it down the outlaw trail to markets far
away.
By the time the 1890s rolled around, rustling stock
became more difficult. Butch Cassidy and
his Wild Bunch moved into the hideouts and used the
Outlaw Trail to avoid capture after their daring heists.
The map shows the various places where holdups took
place and hideouts existed. The period of time
used for this collection is centered around the activities
of the gang referred to as the Wild Bunch. Although
Cassidy was considered to be the leader of the Wild
Bunch, he did not personally participate in the majority
of their activities.
Some believe he acted in the capacity of a president
with numerous groups working under his direction, but
it is my opinion that those groups all worked independently
and he was simply respected by them due to the
success of the few robberies he actually participated
in. Of course you are welcome to form your own
opinion.
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