July 19, 2023
Today in Texas History
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
The Bandera Prophet
On this day in 1878, Sam Bass was mortally wounded when he and his gang of outlaws tried to rob the bank in Round Rock.
The Texas Rangers were waiting for them. The next day Bass was found lying in a field outside of town. He was brought back to Round Rock, where he died two days later.
Bass, an Indiana native, had worked in a sawmill as a cowboy, and as a freighter. He also owned a fast racehorse. After squandering money earned on a trail drive, he recruited a gang and began robbing stagecoaches and railroads. He died at the age of 27.
The Texas Rangers were waiting for them. The next day Bass was found lying in a field outside of town. He was brought back to Round Rock, where he died two days later.
Bass, an Indiana native, had worked in a sawmill as a cowboy, and as a freighter. He also owned a fast racehorse. After squandering money earned on a trail drive, he recruited a gang and began robbing stagecoaches and railroads. He died at the age of 27.