The First Known Train Robbery: A Historical Myth?

It is commonly accepted that the first train robbery in the United States took place on October 6, 1866, near Seymour, Indiana, committed by the Reno brothers. However, a lesser-known event in January 1866 might challenge this widely accepted narrative. This article explores the controversy surrounding the first train robbery and discusses its historical context and impact.

Is It Myths or Facts?

The Cleveland Daily Leader of January 11, 1866, recorded the capture of the "first train robbers," albeit without naming them. This robbery occurred on January 8, 1866, on the New York, New Haven, and Hartford railroad, targeting an Adams Express Company car. The robbery was conducted in a manner very similar to that of the Reno brothers' later heist. According to the Adams Express Company, the stolen amount was claimed to be 678,000, though other estimates varied from 250,000 to 700,000. Similarly to the Reno brothers' robbery, Pinkerton's detectives solved the crime and apprehended the perpetrators.

Although not much information about the January 1866 robbery has survived, the Reno brothers' heist is widely regarded as the first train robbery in the United States. This difference in dates and locations raises questions about the historical accuracy of the accepted narrative.

The Reno Brothers Heist and Its Cultural Impact

On October 6, 1866, the Reno brothers, John and Simeon, conducted their now-famous robbery in Jackson County, Indiana. Despite the historical significance attributed to this event, it's important to recognize that this was not the first instance of a moving train being robbed. Previous train robberies had been conducted as burglaries of stationary trains in depots or freight yards. The Reno brothers' method was groundbreaking for two reasons: they stopped a moving train in an unpopulated area and succeeded without the interference of law enforcement or curious onlookers.

The Reno brothers' method quickly gained popularity in the West. Many bandits who had previously robbed banks or stagecoaches found that the newly constructed transcontinental and regional railroads offered a lucrative target. The wide-open spaces of the West provided ideal locations for stopping trains and hiding from the law. Criminal groups like Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch found that robbing trains was both easy and profitable, often making it their primary criminal activity.

The Response of Railroad Companies

Railroad owners were not blind to the increasing threats posed by train robbers. They responded by adding more robust security measures. Cash and precious metals were now safely stored in huge safes, guarded by heavily armed guards. Some railroads, like the Union Pacific, even began using special boxcars to transport guards and their horses. If a robbery were attempted, the guards could quickly mount their horses and pursue the fleeing bandits, helping to ensure the end of their criminal careers.

By the late 19th century, train robbery had become an increasingly difficult and dangerous profession. As security measures improved, the number of successful train robberies decreased considerably.

While the Reno brothers' heist is often seen as the first, the debate surrounding its historicity has led to a deeper understanding of the complex and evolving nature of train robbery in the United States. The methods and adaptations of both criminals and law enforcement in response to the threat of train robbery underscore the dynamic nature of criminal behavior and law enforcement in the 19th century.

? Even More on Train Robbery:

Historical myths vs. facts in defining the first train robbery in America The cultural impact of train robberies on fiction and film, particularly in the 1950s The evolution of security measures in response to train robbery

Keywords: train robbery, first train robbery, Reno brothers