Butch Cassidy is one of the most legendary and mysterious outlaws of the Wild West. His true identity, Robert LeRoy Parker, disappeared and became legend for over a hundred years before anyone knew who he really was. There are many stories surrounding this enigmatic figure, who, even after 112 years since his death, still mystifies those intrigued by the Old West. Here are some facts about Butch Cassidy that should be known to anyone wanting to find out more about one of history’s most fascinating outlaws.
Birth and Early Life
Butch Cassidy was born Robert LeRoy Parker on April 13, 1866 in Beaver, Utah. He was the first of thirteen children born to a Mormon family, though he was never religious to any sense. He was known as Roy when he was young but adopted the alias ‘Butch Cassidy’ when he first began to engage in criminal activities.
His first arrest came in 1884 for horse theft. While in prison, he met an old-timer named Mike Cassidy who supposedly gave Butch the nickname “Butch”. This story of how Butch got his nickname has been disputed in recent years since there is no proof that the two men ever met, but it has been a popular tale.
Early Criminal Career
Butch Cassidy became involved in outlawry in the late 1880s when he formed a gang with three other men, called the “Wild Bunch”. The Wild Bunch carried out a string of bank and train robberies across the States of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and New Mexico.
It is believed that the Wild Bunch robbed dozens of banks and trains, and made off with large amounts of money, but the exact number and amount is not known. What is known is that Butch Cassidy and his gang were prolific robbers and were able to evade the law for a long time.
Famous Train Robbery
Butch Cassidy’s best-known robbery was the Union Pacific Overland Flyer robbery on June 2, 1899. His gang entered the train disguised as police officers and relieved it of $30,000. This robbery was well-planned and organized, and Cassidy and his accomplices were not caught.
From then on, the Wild Bunch was known as some of the most daring and successful robbers of their time. Their reputation spread throughout the western United States and they became celebrity outlaws.
Fleeing to Argentina
In 1901, some of the Wild Bunch members were killed or arrested by law enforcement officers, leading Butch and his associate, the Sundance Kid, to flee the United States. They escaped on the SS Inca, which was headed to Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Butch and the Sundance Kid eventually settled in Cholila, Argentina, under the names of James Ryan and Enrique Place respectively. Here, they established a cattle-rancher life, until they were suspected of a double murder in 1905.
Return to Criminal Life
Butch and the Sundance Kid then returned to their criminal activity and became the most notorious gang in South America. Their gang, nicknamed the “Train Robbers Syndicate,” began robbing trains and banks on both sides of the border between Argentina and Chile.
They were able to evade the law for many years, until their luck ran out in 1908. Butch and the Sundance Kid were finally caught in San Vicente, Bolivia, by a group of Bolivian soldiers.
Death of Butch Cassidy
On November 6, 1908, Butch Cassidy was shot and killed in a gunfight with the Bolivian soldiers. His true identity was revealed and his last words were reportedly; “Tell Mother I died doing what I wanted to do”.
The exact spot of Butch Cassidy’s death is unknown, as his body was never recovered. In addition, conflicting accounts of the incident have left some historians questioning the accuracy of the story.
Legacy
In the years since his death, Butch Cassidy has become a legend of the Wild West. As one of the most famous outlaws of all time, his story has been told in magazines, books, TV shows, and films.
Paul Newman and Robert Redford famously starred as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid in the 1969 film directed by George Roy Hill. Butch Cassidy was also portrayed in two other films, one by William Wyler in 1952 and one by Christopher Payne in 2000.
Butch Cassidy’s legend and memory still remain one of the most fascinating stories of the American Old West, and it is sure to live on for many generations to come.
Butch Cassidy remains one of the most iconic figures from the Wild West. Even though his name was frequently linked to criminal activity, his story is different from those of many other outlaws in that it is a story of tenacity and survival. Despite the failure of many of his endeavors, Butch Cassidy’s legend lives on and is likely to remain a part of our cultural memory for many years to come.
