Gratton Dalton
| Gratton Dalton | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
March 30, 1861 Lawrence, Kansas, United States |
| Died | October 5, 1892 (aged 31) Coffeyville, Kansas, United States |
| Cause of death | Gunshot |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Farmer, marshal, cattle rustler |
| Criminal charge | cattle rustling, Bank and train robbery |
| Allegiance | Dalton Gang |
Gratton Hanley "Grat" Dalton (March 30, 1861 – October 5, 1892) was an American outlaw in the American Old West. As leader of the Dalton Gang he died during an ill-fated raid on a bank in Coffeyville, Kansas.
His older brother Frank Dalton, a Deputy US Marshal, was by all accounts the strongest of the brothers, and always kept his brothers in line. Grat and his younger brothers idolized Frank, and had often joined him in posses. However, Frank Dalton was killed during a shootout with outlaws on November 27, 1887. Grat Dalton was devastated, and became a Deputy US Marshal under Judge Isaac Parker to follow in his brother's footsteps. For a short time, Dalton was a good marshal, and had been hired without protest due to his brother Frank having a stellar reputation.
It wasn't long, however, before Grat Dalton began looking for an easier way to make a living. He lost his job as a Deputy Marshal in 1890, being suspected for cattle rustling, and formed his gang. Its first members were his brother Bob Dalton, Charley Pierce, George "Bittercreek" Newcomb, Charlie "Blackface" Bryant, and Richard L. "Dick" Broadwell. Emmett Dalton would later join also. Newcomb and Pierce would later be members of the much more successful Doolin Dalton gang, formed and led by Bill Doolin and Dalton brother Bill Dalton.
In February, 1891, the gang robbed a train in Alila, California, and were pursued by a posse. Their younger brother Bill Dalton, previously a member of the California Legislature, assisted in that robbery. During that robbery, they could not get the safe on the train open, and instead robbed the passengers. Pursued by a posse, Grat and Bill Dalton were captured, while the others escaped. Those who had escaped decided it was best to head into Oklahoma Territory. Once back in Oklahoma they robbed yet another train, and immediately afterward gang member Charlie Bryant became violently ill.
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