In Bandit Heaven, published by St. Martin’s Press last month, New York Times bestselling author Tom Clavin offers an interesting analysis of three secluded hideouts nestled in Wyoming and Utah that for many decades provided a place of refuge and protection for hordes of robbers, killers, and fugitives. These hangouts—Robbers Roost, Brown’s Hole, and Hole-in-the-Wall—sufficiently remote and tricky to traverse, kept lawmen away (most lawmen, that is) and offered horse and cattle thieves, and other lawbreakers, a somewhat safe rest stop throughout the 1880s and ’90s.
Told in four acts, the book provides a succinct overview of the history and layout of the locations, entertaining stories of the legendary villains who briefly occupied the sites, and vivid descriptions of gunfights, chases, and the gruesome wars between ranch owners and cattle barons. A macabre account of American West bandit George “Big Nose” Parrott is a particular highlight. Incredibly, having been hanged and dismembered for the purposes of scientific study, the skin from his thighs and chest was sent to the tannery so they could be turned into a medical bag and a pair of shoes!
Clavin also, understandably, dedicates large sections to the life of famed men like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. As with most outlaws, Butch traded his real name (Robert Leroy Parker) for one he preferred. The first name was possibly an acquired nickname from his brief apprenticeship as a butcher, and the last name was taken in honor of his older mentor. Other men such as Harvey Logan (aka Kid Curry), Tom “Black Jack” Ketchum, and the relentless Charlie Siringo of the Pinkerton Detective Agency feature heavily in the book. Arguably, their exploits demand greater attention, and the inevitable consequence of following their trail is that it detracts from the book’s central focus. The same can be said of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’s story. As the author tracks their journey through South America to its bloody conclusion, Robbers Roost, Brown’s Hole, and Hole-in-the-Wall feel like distant memories.
Nevertheless, Bandit Heaven is an enjoyable thrill ride that keeps you flipping the pages with excitement and intrigue. The book is extensively researched, and the author’s breezy tone and expertise in storytelling make it a fun read. Clavin also spends time examining female members of the Wild Bunch, like Laura Bullion, Annie Rogers, and Ethel Place and includes helpful, relevant photographs (there are even photos of Parrott’s skull and shoes).
Tom Clavin has authored about twenty-five nonfiction books covering various topics, from military campaigns and golf and baseball legends to Las Vegas music entertainers and a notorious racehorse. His specialty seems to be the Old West and the infamous personalities who stalked the landscape. Halsey’s Typhoon, The Last Stand of Fox Company, The Heart of Everything That Is, Dodge City, Blood and Treasure, and Follow Me to Hell are his six national bestsellers, but highly regarded works like Tombstone, Wild Bill, and The Last Outlaws (assessing the Dalton Gang’s violent gun battles and bank robberies) also command a place on most history buff’s reading lists. More on the veteran author here https://www.tomclavin.com.