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Original Cabinet Card Photograph. Image: 3.875"x5.5". Mount: 4.25"x6.5". Born in Texas, not much is known of Clifton's early life. Cowboy, rustler, bootlegger."Dynamite Dick" was already a wanted man before joining the Doolin Gang in 1892. Having committed robbery, safe-cracking, and cattle-rustling in Oklahoma Territory, lawmen were constantly on his tail. Upon joining the Doolin Gang, Clifton supplied the firepower to the gang and took part in the remainder of their robberies. In 1893 he was wounded in the famous gun-battle in Ingalls when a posse of 24 lawmen tried to surprise and capture or kill the members of the Doolin Gang, known to be in Ingalls on September 1, 1893. A lengthy gunfight that ended with the death of 3 lawmen and 2 citizens, and the wounding of 2 of the outlaws. "Dynamite Dick" shot his way from the saloon to the livery stable, helped bridle the horses, then galloped away beside Bill Doolin. On May 20, 1895, he, along with Bill Doolin and Bill Dalton, robbed a bank in Southwest City, Missouri, killing J. C. Seaborn before escaping. The next year, though captured separately, Bill Doolin and Clifton were both behind bars in Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory, but on July 5, after gaining control over a prison guard, they made their escape, along with 13 other prisoners. After their escape each of them were constantly pursued by posses seeking reward money. Doolin was killed by a posse led by Deputy U.S. Marshal Heck Thomas on August 25, 1896. By June of 1897, "Dynamite Dick" and Little Dick West had joined-up with a small gang led by Al Jennings, but the gangs series of bungled robberies of a Santa Fe train in August, followed by a Rock Island express and mail car, and in October, the looting of a general store of $150 in clothing had left Clifton disgusted so he headed to an old hiding place west of Checotah. "Deputy Marshals George Lawson and Hess Bussey of the Eufala District learned of his coming. On November 7, after 'laying out in the hills several days familiarizing themselves with his beat,' the officers 'pulled down on their man on the trail and ordered him to surrender.' But the outlaw 'obeyed not.raised his rifle and fired.' A ball from Lawson's rifle broke his arm and knocked him off his horse. He dropped his Winchester and fled into the timber. The officers followed his bloody trail to an Indian cabin. Again Dynamite refused to surrender. When the officers threatened to burn the cabin, he leaped from the doorway, his six-shooter blazing. He died in a hail of lead and was buried at Muskogee at government expense."--Gunfight At Ingalls., by Glenn Shirley. Cabinet Card is in very good-near fine condition. Charles Clifton-Dalton Gang is written in ink across bottom edge of image. Clifton is shown full-length, deceased, propped-up on a board, with a black man standing next to him, In addition we offer an important handwritten letter, on U.S. Marshal's letterhead telling of the killing of "Dynamite Dick" or Charles Clifton by Deputy U.S. Marshall George Lawson. Letter is neatly written and signed by U.S. Marshal Leo E. Bennett, to C. H. Thompson, U.S. Marshall, Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory. Dated November 14, 1897 and sent from Muscogee, I.T. Letter reads: "Dear Sir: The man killed by Deputy Geo Lawson on the night of Nov 7th has been fully identified as Dynamite Dick or Charles Clifton. Very respectfully Leo E. Bennett U.S. Marshal". Neatly written in ink on lined paper with printed letterhead of Samuel M. Rutherford, United States Marshal, Northern District, Indian Territory. Letter in fine condition with 2 vertical and one horizontal folds. This important letter and accompanying photograph provide clarification of the often confusing variety of dates, and lawmen to which Clifton's death is attributed, given by various authors. Provenance of Letter and Photograph: The Robert G. McCubbin Collection, known as the finest collection of photographs of important contributors to the history of the American West!
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