By Sandi Cameron

One of the seven deadly sins is greed. When wed to any other, such as anger, pride or even sloth, a medium for thievery results. Crime in western Colorado has a history and unfortunately, a presence.

Recent statistics relate a few hundred burglaries and robberies in the Grand Valley in 2010. Population increase and access to inexpensive weaponry has impacted modern thuggery. As recent as August 31, a federal grand jury in Denver indicted two Grand Junction men for the May 27 armed robbery of the American National Bank in Rifle. In addition to the Rifle heist, the duo is charged with the June 24 robbery of Alpine Bank in Montrose and the July 29 robbery of the Surface Creek Bank in Cedaredge. Stealing is certainly not a crime constrained to any particular time period, with historic accounts revealing a number of local robberies.

Surprisingly, few towns in Colorado experienced a successful bank robbery prior to 1900. Nonetheless, those with criminal intent roamed western Colorado, looking for the opportunity to “make it rich” through thievery. Cattle rustling was a common form of crime during the 1880s, with rustlers often using Gateway’s nearby canyon walls as hideouts from the law.

Notorious outlaws Tom McCarty and Matt Warner partnered in Utah and Arizona for a while. McCarty eventually wandered into Cortez and Warner moved his herd of rustled horses into the White River country, near Meeker. Warner sold most of the horses to a man in Meeker who paid him in hundred dollar bills. Cap Davis, a local boarding house proprietor, and a couple of thugs were interested in Warner’s bankroll, but he was prepared to protect it. After a horserace in Telluride in 1885, he met a young ore hauler by the name of Roy Cassidy, soon to be known as Butch. They became partners. After some successful horse races, Warner rejoined the McCarty brothers in Cortez. McCarty, Warner and Cassidy raced horses together, but were ready for more action. Then the Denver and Rio Grande train was stopped November 3, 1887 just outside of Grand Junction. Despite careful planning, including blocking the track, the bandits came up empty-handed.

Then Cassidy, Warner and McCarty orchestrated the successful robbing of the San Miguel Valley Bank of Telluride on June 24, 1889. This robbery is the first major crime attributed to Cassidy, who would go on to become a notorious bank and train robber, and become the leader of the “Wild Bunch” gang. The bandits, now with $20,750, made their way to their hideout. An article in the “Salt Lake Herald” stated, “It is more than probable that they will be captured before 24 hours.” They were not.

Robbers Roost in southwestern Utah was a popular outlaw hideout for over 30 years. The future Wild Bunch first used Robbers Roost after the 1889 Telluride bank robbery. At this natural fortress with numerous lookout points, fresh horses were corralled and large quantities of weapons were cached. Robbers Roost was never successfully penetrated by law enforcement, due to the rough terrain, maze of canyons and intense weather, although it was largely abandoned in the early 1900s.

Warner, McCarty and Cassidy successfully escaped the posse after the Telluride heist, but Cassidy’s younger brother was captured when bringing supplies to the bandits. He was imprisoned for former crimes committed.

The gang traveled to Wyoming, where Cassidy decided to stay, while McCarty’s brother and nephew joined him in moving to the northwest. After settling in Washington, they were convicted of robbing a bank in Roslyn and paid a high price to get out of jail (their cache of $41,000 minus $500 the lawyer returned to them).

On September 7, 1893, less than two months after they were released, they held up the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Delta.

While the cashier and co-owner A.T. Blachey shouted for help, McCarty’s brother, Bill, scooped the money into a bag. Bill’s son and lookout, Fred, meanwhile yelled that a crowd was gathering. Blachey was killed and his assistant wounded. A local merchant killed Bill as he galloped down the street, and Fred was shot while trying to save his father. McCarty escaped the posse that pursued him.

According to a Denver newspaper, much carnage ensued during the robbery of the Meeker Bank on October 16, 1896.

“The robbery was one of the most daring ever perpetrated in the West, occurring as it did in broad daylight and at a time when there were 20 or more people in plain sight. It is believed that one of the robbers is Thomas McCarty, who aided in robbing banks at Telluride and Delta. Jones and Smith fell to the ground, literally riddled with bullets. The dead men were removed to an undertaking establishment, where an inquest was held, rendering a verdict of justifiable homicide. The money ($700) was all recovered.” The article went on, “It is believed that the robbers were members of the McCarty gang that committed several daring train and bank robberies. It is also supposed that the man who robbed David H. Moffat, president of the First National bank of this city, of $21,000 in 1889, was a member of this gang. In an attempt to rob the bank at Delta, Colo., about a year ago, John McCarty and his son were killed, but Tom McCarty escaped.”

Other newsworthy crimes that were committed prior to 1900 and over the next few decades included the Peach Day Massacre where 3,400 sheep were killed near DeBeque, the killing of cattleman Charles Sieber by Joe Harris, and the slaying of Jeannette Morris in a “Barbary Coast” shanty. After the 1920s, when crossing state lines was made easier and faster via the automobile, bank robberies began to soar in number. Even with the Cincinnati-made Diebold safes, which had metal doors several inches thick, robbers found creative means to break through. Still, most customers believed their deposits were secure. Banks often left their vaults open during the day to allow customers a full view of the safe, creating an illusion of wealth and stability.

One crime of note prior to World War II was when, on December 18, 1938, three masked and armed men, John Homutoff, Otis D. Slane and L.L. Sadler (owner of a local dance hall), forced their way into the Biltmore Club, on the top floor of the Reed Building in downtown Grand Junction, to recover money lost in gambling. Within minutes, the club operator was shot in the face and died shortly after. All three men were convicted and served 20 years or so each in Cañon City for their crimes.

In 1939, a special Grand Jury convened; investigating local crimes, including several murders, local law enforcement, gambling and prostitution.

“Crime butchers innocence to secure a throne, and innocence struggles with all its might against the attempts of crime.” – Robespierre

Although historic perpetrators of crime are often idealized as glory-filled “adventure-seekers,” if crime could be eliminated in the Grand Valley, or anywhere else, for that matter, who wouldn’t choose to live in a fearless, safe, equitable, honest environment? Wouldn’t you prefer to trust that your hard-earned savings are secure, to be used whenever you choose at your own personal discretion?

Parts of this article require acknowledgment and appreciation to Delta County Historical Society, the Museum of the West, Jeffrey D. Nichols-“Robbers’ Roost Outlaw Trail”-History Blazer/Aug. 1995, the Denver Post archives, and the Waterloo Daily Courier archives.