Stopping Sam Bass

James Gillett had been a noted Texas Ranger for three years when he led a group of Rangers to Round Rock, TX in July 1878. The plan—head off the Sam Bass Gang before they robbed the local bank.

Gillett and company got there after a shootout foiled the robbery plot and left the outlaw wounded—but he found Bass just outside town on July 20 (Bass died the next day).

Gillett recounted his exploits in Six Years With The Texas Rangers. In this rare photo, the ex-lawman poses at Bass’ grave in 1925.