Well, I'm not sure what to say about this one, except for some reason it has "modern day" shades of the Tom Horn affair to me. Somehow, until I realized the great Ian Tyson song wasn't just a cool song he wrote, but based on history, this account had escaped me.
Claude Dallas was a buckaroo, and by the accounts I've seen--a good one. Hard worker, could make spurs, braid--all the buckaroo skills. Apparently, he was featured in a National Geographic book about cowboys in the later 70s? (not sure about the date). Unfortunately, Claude had dodged the draft; I understand he stated he wasn't afraid to fight for his country, but like everything else he wanted to do it on his own terms--not when he was told to, or after he was told to by the government. This same aversion to being told what to do seemed to play a significant role in later decisions.
Once the story appeared, so did the authorities and Claude had to answer for dodging Uncle Sam--and really disliked the treatment he got, swearing he'd never be arrested again.
Fast forward a few years--Claude was also an avid trapper, loner and sort of modern-day "mountain man". When he was trapping (out of season/poaching?) someone tipped off the Fish and Game officers--Bill Pogue and Conley Elms. It is said that Pogue had a reputation for being too strict and wasn't very well liked; if true, it would immediately make for a sticky situation with "don't tell me what to do" Claude Dallas. Sticky isn't the word for it. Short story--the officers confronted Dallas about the trapping and ended up dead. (Watch the reenactment video, I don't want to give everything away).
Buckaroo/trapper Claude Dallas, very well liked by the locals by most accounts, was convinced of manslaughter--a "lighter" sentence than murder, by a jury of mostly women. The judge sentenced him to the max that he could--30 years. Dallas made one prison escape (another interesting story there, he apparently walked out the front door with some Easter visitors) but ultimately served 22 years of his sentence. Rumors and so-called testimonies are found online that he then went to either Nevada again, or, Washington state to start over.
Another tragic story all the way around. I hope that he has started over, and, is making a fine buckaroo somewhere as it sounded like he had the skills for it. I also hope the families of the officers have found peace; they have been through an unimaginable ordeal. And I hope life is kinder and more peaceful to all involved. None of us were there to truly know "who drew first" so I for one refrain from judging anybody involved; I just see the whole thing as a tragic mess. Two officers lost their lives and their families lost their loved ones, and Claude Dallas lost a big chunk of his prime years, the freedom and lifestyle that meant everything, and very probably a lot more than that.
The following videos are from You Tube; please enjoy the great Ian Tyson's song about Claude; Ian is one of the best cowboy singers around. Also enjoy the short reenactment of the Claude Dallas story.
Claude Dallas was a buckaroo, and by the accounts I've seen--a good one. Hard worker, could make spurs, braid--all the buckaroo skills. Apparently, he was featured in a National Geographic book about cowboys in the later 70s? (not sure about the date). Unfortunately, Claude had dodged the draft; I understand he stated he wasn't afraid to fight for his country, but like everything else he wanted to do it on his own terms--not when he was told to, or after he was told to by the government. This same aversion to being told what to do seemed to play a significant role in later decisions.
Once the story appeared, so did the authorities and Claude had to answer for dodging Uncle Sam--and really disliked the treatment he got, swearing he'd never be arrested again.
Fast forward a few years--Claude was also an avid trapper, loner and sort of modern-day "mountain man". When he was trapping (out of season/poaching?) someone tipped off the Fish and Game officers--Bill Pogue and Conley Elms. It is said that Pogue had a reputation for being too strict and wasn't very well liked; if true, it would immediately make for a sticky situation with "don't tell me what to do" Claude Dallas. Sticky isn't the word for it. Short story--the officers confronted Dallas about the trapping and ended up dead. (Watch the reenactment video, I don't want to give everything away).
Buckaroo/trapper Claude Dallas, very well liked by the locals by most accounts, was convinced of manslaughter--a "lighter" sentence than murder, by a jury of mostly women. The judge sentenced him to the max that he could--30 years. Dallas made one prison escape (another interesting story there, he apparently walked out the front door with some Easter visitors) but ultimately served 22 years of his sentence. Rumors and so-called testimonies are found online that he then went to either Nevada again, or, Washington state to start over.
Another tragic story all the way around. I hope that he has started over, and, is making a fine buckaroo somewhere as it sounded like he had the skills for it. I also hope the families of the officers have found peace; they have been through an unimaginable ordeal. And I hope life is kinder and more peaceful to all involved. None of us were there to truly know "who drew first" so I for one refrain from judging anybody involved; I just see the whole thing as a tragic mess. Two officers lost their lives and their families lost their loved ones, and Claude Dallas lost a big chunk of his prime years, the freedom and lifestyle that meant everything, and very probably a lot more than that.
The following videos are from You Tube; please enjoy the great Ian Tyson's song about Claude; Ian is one of the best cowboy singers around. Also enjoy the short reenactment of the Claude Dallas story.