I usually write about a badge or two that I have in my collection, and the memory that each of these items reveals to me. Those memories routinely relate to a person I knew or the particular community where the badge originates. Mostly the badges, and my memories, are from New Jersey.
The badge featured in this article is from an area just a few miles outside of the Garden State. More to the point this nice silver badge comes from the Albuquerque, New Mexico area.
Like most of my badges there is a story attached to this one too. I know the story because the badge and gun tell it to me almost on a daily basis. When I look at this Six Pointed Star and old Colt Revolver my memory takes me back to the Old West in the 1890’s. New Mexico, and its’ neighbor Arizona were only U.S. Territories.
As I recall in the 1890’s Outlaws raised havoc in the both “States.” A group of five men came together to form a well known gang that ran wild in the South West. These Guys robbed Banks, Post Offices, Stores, Stagecoaches, Ranches, and even Trains. The five guys, and occasionally an associate, became known as “The High Fives,” and sometimes “Black Jack’s Gang.”
The core group of this gang was: George Musgrave, Robert & Will Christian, Cole Estes, and Bob Hayes. We never here of these guys today, but they caused enough harm to warrant admission to the criminals’ Hall of Fame if there is such a place.
These thugs were the first to rob a Bank in Arizona. It was a major robbery. They got away with at least ten thousand dollars, and did not get caught. Not satisfied with that claim to fame, they recorded several other robberies in the area surrounding Albuquerque.
“The High Fives” were very successful in their daring robberies and eventually Trains became a target. One of their exploits was recorded as the largest robbery in the history of the Santa Fe Railroad.
As quick as these guys stole the money, they changed their names to avoid being captured. One might argue that this group invented the word alias or a.k.a. George Musgrave was known to have nineteen aliases. He used them well. The man survived to the age of 70. The notorious Mr. Musgrave has been chronicled as the “Last of the Old –Time Outlaws,” a book that has helped my memory immensely.
William Christian used the name “Black Jack” after being confused with another outlaw of the day – Black Jack Ketchum. This confusion led to the gang also being referred to as “Black Jack’s Gang.” This was an error, but Christian didn’t care to correct it.
Cole Estes also had a couple of aliases. He was known as Bob Young or Cole or Code Young. He probably forgot to add a “y” making one of his names “Codey.” Of course I assume he knew how to spell. Even if he knew his ABC’s it would not help him enjoy a life span like Musgrave.
“Old” George was the guy who most likely led the “High Fives” although that role was rather loose. He, for sure, was one bad man. It has been written that he was "guilty of more crimes than Billy the Kid was ever accused of."
In the autumn of 1896 the Gang was at its’ peak. Their decline came quickly with the decision to rob “Atlantic & Pacific Train # 802” at a water station on the Rio Puerco river bed. This was located about 30 miles SW of Albuquerque. The date was Friday, October 2, 1896. The time was 7:30 PM. This night would change any retirement plans the young bandits may have had.
The event is recorded in the “Wells Fargo Ledger” which is “a recording of 95 robberies or attempted robberies of trains from 1870 -1902, mostly 1890’s.” Specifically the event of Oct. 2 was: Train robbery # 62.
It begins with “Train # 802” coming to a stop near the water tank with all looking peaceful. On a passenger seat one man was just tired and wanted to get his sleep. He had just completed a job of serving “process papers” in Gallup, New Mexico.
The sleeping passenger was Horace W. Loomis. His friends just called him “Will.” He was Chief Deputy United States Marshal, serving in Socorro County. Marshal Loomis wanted to get home and continue a hunt for the “High Fives” that began in August. Loomis had chased the gang from Santa Fe to the Mexico border without any success. Loomis’ luck was about to change. He would soon come face to face with the gang he had been pursuing for weeks.
As the gang focused on their work they shot out a lantern carried by the brakeman. The shots awoke Loomis who grabbed his shotgun and stepped out of the coach. He stared down the track. About three cars forward the Marshal saw Code Estes a.k.a. Young. The Outlaw had a gun on Train Engineer, Charles Ross. When Young made the mistake of moving away from Ross an opportunity, for Loomis, presented itself. Loomis blasted his gun wounding his target. Young returned fire and Loomis shot him a second time ending the Outlaws’ life.
Marshal Loomis waited with the dead outlaw hoping his friends would come to help him. They did not. Train 802 was sent on to get help. Marshal Loomis waited, with the body, until a special train from Albuquerque arrived.
The special train transported Cole Young’s body to Albuquerque. It arrived around noon and was taken to the local funeral parlor managed by O. W Strong. The body was buried at the Fairview Cemetery on October 5, 1896. This burial effectively brought a conclusion to Train Robbery #62.
When the news of this robbery hit the East Coast a little paper, in New York City, published the story. According to the N.Y. Times, Marshal Loomis: “…drew his revolver and fired several shots at the robbers.” The fire was returned, and for several minutes there was a fusillade of bullets. One of the Outlaws “dropped dead with a bullet through his brain.”
This piece of history took place 115 years ago. A lot has happened since that day in October 1896. Cole Estes a.k.a. Young remains dead. Horace Loomis has certainly joined him; New Mexico and Arizona are now States; and the New York Times is said to be more accurate.
It is this writer’s wish that the Times was correct with the reference to Loomis’ revolver. The gun that was last in the Marshal’s holster has traveled through time to my fine collection of Law Enforcement Memorabilia. Unfortunately it did not kill Cole Estes. If it did its’ ownership would be enhanced.
The old Colt Revolver was acquired a few years ago along with a Six Pointed Star, and a presentation case as a set. These items served as the imputes for my research into Train Robbery #62, and the true name worth remembering in this incident – Horace W Loomis.
Loomis had quite a career, although I know nothing about him since that October night long ago. In checking him out it was learned that he was the first US Marshal authorized, by the Bureaucrats in Washington D.C. to submit expenses without receipts while “Still Hunting (undercover),” with the stipulation that he does not make any arrests. His work led to the capture of another infamous outlaw, Bill Walters.
During his tenure (1886-1897) Loomis probably had a cheap piece of cut metal to make him official. It certainly wasn’t a fine piece of work with nice lettering. His original wouldn’t look anything like the fine badge in my collection. The gun too is no prize. Maybe that is why Loomis had a shotgun.
Looking at the Revolver the back strap is the only area worth noting. On it is the engraving that appears consistent with the day (1890’s). It reads: “H. W Loomis, Deputy US Marshal.” It would be great if this gun could talk.
The Badge is a beauty. It is made of sterling silver, with six points. The panels read: United States Deputy Marshal, New Mexico Terr. It was not issued by the Marshal’s Service as they did not issue an official badge for their officers until the 1940’s. On the backside of the badge, inside the lower panel is the fading engraving of the name: H. W. Loomis.
Since I can’t talk to Mr. Loomis, and all other trails are dead, I can only believe that these items really belonged to him. I assume the badge was given to him in later life, maybe in a Statehood ceremony honoring some names that were well known back then. Regardless these items have been a fine addition to my collection of memories.
