Telluride in San Miguel County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)
San Miguel Valley Bank Robbery
June 24th 1889
— Telluride, Colorado —
Photographed By Frank Gunshow Sanchez, June 9, 2018
1. San Miguel Valley Bank Robbery Marker
Newspapers in 1889 reported this robbery to be the most brazen and daring bank robbery in the history of Colorado. It was the first robbery by two legends of the wild west. Matt Warner ( Willard Erastus Christiansen) would later pay his debt to society. He was pardoned in 1900, changed his ways and became a respected lawman. Butch Cassidy (Robert Leroy Parker) would become the Robin Hood of the west and leader of the famed Wild Bunch. He fled to South America with Harry Longabaugh in 1905 and his fate is forever shrouded with mystery.This robbery marks the point where these late 19th century cowboys crossed the line between being cowmen and rustlers and became some of the most wanted outlaws of their time. Both men took this route down the valley numerous times to get to southeastern Utah where Matt Warner was from, but after the robbery they headed over Lizard Head pass to hold up on Mancos Mountain and eventually made their way to the Robber's Roost area in eastern Utah.
Matt Warner and Butch Cassidy are now the namesakes of chapters of the Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus, dedicated to the preservation of
this page online
Erected 2018 by Matt Warner Chapter 1900 and Robert Leroy Parker Chapter 1889 E Clampus Vitus in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 9, 2018.
Location. 37° 56.924′ N, 107° 52.9′ W. Marker is in Telluride, Colorado, in San Miguel County. Marker is on State Highway 145, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Telluride CO 81435, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Idarado Houses (approx. 10.1 miles away); Reclaiming the Land (approx. 10.1 miles away); The Idarado Mine (approx. 10.1 miles away); The Heart of the Red Mountains (approx. 10.1 miles away); The Silverton Railroad (approx. 10.1 miles away); Boom Towns (approx. 10.1 miles away); The Yankee Girl (approx. 10.1 miles away); The Treasury Tunnel (approx. 10.2 miles away).
Photographed By Matthew J Ebert, June 11, 2022
2. San Miguel Valley Bank Robbery Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2018, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. This page has been viewed 590 times since then and 153 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 28, 2018, by Frank Gunshow Sanchez of Hollister, California. 2. submitted on June 11, 2022, by Matthew J Ebert of Gerlach, NV. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
