The Last Public Train Robbery in Wild West History Happened at This Arizona Ghost Town

Fairbank Ghost Town, Arizona

On February 15, 1900, five bandits tried to rob a Wells Fargo train right at Fairbank’s station in broad daylight. What they didn’t expect was legendary lawman Jeff Milton standing in the express car doorway with a shotgun.

Here’s the full story and where you can find the ghost town today.

The Gang Behind the Robbery

Burt Alvord quit his job as Cochise County deputy sheriff in December 1899. He soon left his wife and formed an outlaw gang.

He brought in men he once chased as a lawman: Billy Stiles, Bill Downing, and “Three Fingered Jack” Dunlop. Stiles also worked as a peace officer in Willcox.

These men knew law jobs paid poorly in Arizona Territory. The lure of fast money through train robbery won them over.

Alvord’s gang had already robbed a Southern Pacific train at Cochise Junction on September 9, 1899. Their badges helped them avoid suspicion.

Planning the Fairbank Heist

Five men were picked for the robbery: Bob Brown, “Bravo Juan” Tom Yoas, brothers George and Louis Owens, and “Three Fingered Jack” Dunlop.

The gang camped in the Dragoon Mountains on February 14, 1900. They planned to rob the Wells Fargo car on the Nogales-to-Benson train.

Alvord and Stiles set up the robbery for a day when Jeff Milton, a tough Wells Fargo guard, was supposed to be off work.

Each gang member took different paths to Fairbank on February 15 to avoid drawing attention. The robbery would happen during the train’s planned stop.

Jeff Milton’s Unexpected Assignment

Jeff Milton didn’t expect to work on February 15, 1900. The former Texas Ranger had the day off from his Wells Fargo job.

A coworker called in sick that morning, forcing Milton to cover the train run from Benson to Guaymas, Mexico.

Milton forgot to tell his friend Billy Stiles about the change. They had planned to look at mining land near Nogales that day.

As a Wells Fargo guard, Milton protected gold and silver on the trains. He carried a shotgun and pistol for protection.

Milton was known as a brave lawman who took his job very seriously.

The Bandits Arrive in Fairbank

The five robbers reached Fairbank station and mixed with the crowd. They acted like drunk cowboys having a good time.

Their loud behavior gave them perfect cover while they spread out around the platform. No one guessed what they were planning.

The train stopped at Fairbank to unload cargo as usual. The gang thought the express car might hold the Army payroll for Fort Huachuca soldiers.

The crowd at the station would make it hard for anyone to shoot at them during the robbery. The bandits waited until the train stopped before making their move.

The Robbery Attempt Begins

Jeff Milton stood in the open doorway of the express car as the train pulled in. He watched people and cargo being unloaded, not seeing the danger.

The fake drunk cowboys suddenly pulled their guns and fired. Bullets hit the express car from multiple directions.

A shot hit Milton in his left shoulder, cutting an artery. Blood poured from the wound.

Despite being hurt, Milton grabbed his shotgun from inside the car. His years of gun fighting took over even through the pain.

Milton fell back into the express car, hiding behind a large trunk as the robbers came closer.

Milton’s Heroic Defense

The bandits ran toward the express car, thinking they had killed or badly hurt the guard. Milton waited until “Three Fingered Jack” Dunlop reached the doorway.

Milton fired his shotgun straight at Dunlop, hitting him in the chest with buckshot.

Bravo Juan Yoas was also hit from behind as he climbed aboard.

Before passing out from blood loss, Milton threw the key to the money box into a dark corner. The bandits would not find it easily.

Milton then closed the door and fell unconscious between two large crates, having done his job protecting the money.

The Bandits’ Retreat

The hurt robbers rushed away from the express car. They couldn’t find the key to open the box with the money inside.

Without explosives to open the safe, they had no way to get the cash. The gang helped the badly wounded Dunlop onto his horse.

They escaped with only seventeen Mexican pesos. Their careful plan had failed completely.

The gang rode toward the Dragoon Mountains to escape capture. Dunlop could barely stay on his horse as they fled.

Six miles from Tombstone, Dunlop fell off his horse. His friends left him behind with only a bottle of whiskey for his pain.

The Aftermath and Pursuit

News of the failed robbery spread fast by telegraph and riders. Lawmen quickly organized to hunt the bandits.

A posse formed in Fairbank within hours, gathering horses and supplies. Sheriff Scott White of Cochise County led the search.

The next morning, the posse found Dunlop where his partners left him. The wounded robber was still alive but barely conscious.

Trackers followed the clear trail left by the fleeing bandits. The gang hadn’t tried to hide their tracks.

Within days, Sheriff White’s men caught Brown and the Owens brothers crossing a pass in the Dragoon Mountains.

Dunlop’s Confession

Lawmen took the wounded Dunlop to a hospital in Tombstone. Doctors tried to save him, but the shotgun wounds were too severe.

Before dying on February 22, 1900, Dunlop named everyone involved in the robbery attempt and how they planned it.

He identified Burt Alvord as the leader, which shocked many who still thought of Alvord as a lawman.

After his death, Dunlop was buried in Tombstone Cemetery, ending his short career as an outlaw.

Capture and Escape of the Gang

Based on Dunlop’s confession, lawmen arrested the Owens brothers, Bob Brown, Bill Downing, Matt Burts, Billy Stiles, and Burt Alvord.

Bravo Juan Yoas ran to Mexico with his wounds but was caught in Cananea. Mexican officers handed him over to Arizona authorities.

On April 7, 1900, Billy Stiles broke into the Tombstone jail. He shot Deputy Marshal George Bravin in the foot and freed Alvord and Yoas.

Downing stayed in his cell, and Burts wasn’t there during the escape. The three men stole horses and guns before racing into the desert.

They met at Alvord’s wife’s ranch near Willcox and announced plans to rob more trains, showing no regret for their crimes.

Visiting Fairbank Ghost Town

You’ll find Fairbank Ghost Town on Highway 82, about 9 miles west of Tombstone, Arizona.

Park at the gravel lot and walk the short trail to see the restored schoolhouse, commercial building, and cemetery. The schoolhouse now serves as a visitor center with exhibits about the town’s history.

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