"Sundance and The Wild
Bunch Hit the Union Pacific"
by
Greg Kelsey
The Sundance Kid and the Wild Bunch robbed the Union Pacific Overland Flyer No.1
in the early hours of June 2, 1899 near Wilcox, Wyoming. The outlaws used
careful planning and dynamite - lots of dynamite.
They first used dynamite to disable a trestle, isolating a portion of the train.
Next, dynamite on the door of the mail car.
Likewise, they used a couple of sticks to blow the door of the Express car.
Finally, they used several sticks to open the safe. In doing so, the blew
the Express car to smithereens, scattering bits of wood and metal, as well as
bank notes, cash, jewelry and other valuables.
They gathered up the strewn bank notes and headed for the Hole-in-the-Wall
hideout, carrying and estimated $30,000 - $50,000 in valuables.
Depicted here are "The long tall Texan", Ben Kilpatrick on the left; Harry A. Longabaugh, "The Sundance Kid" in the middle; and Will Carver on the right.