Jim Murphy joined the Sam Bass Gang in 1878 and almost immediately got arrested (so did his dad). Jim struck a deal—betray Bass (photo) in exchange for freedom. When he rejoined the gang, Bass had doubts…but let Murphy stay.
The boys headed to Round Rock, TX for a bank robbery in July 1878. Murphy managed to sneak away and alert the authorities. Bass died in a shootout.
Murphy feared reprisals and asked to hole up in the Denton, TX jail. In June 1879, he died from ingesting toxic eye medicine; he probably killed himself.
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