The Big Haul

An outlaw gang strikes it rich…for the moment.

September 18, 1877. Six members of the Joel Collins Gang board a Union Pacific train at a water stop at Big Springs, Nebraska. It looks like the take will be small–until, almost by accident, they break open a box that contains $60,000 in new $20 gold pieces. But the victory is short-lived.

Collins (in photo, seated at bottom right) and two others are gunned down by posses within a couple of weeks. One of the outlaws disappears into Canada. And one–Sam Bass (standing, upper left)–makes it back to Texas and forms his own outfit.