Emmett Dalton
Hollywood, CA, October 21, 1936
Emmett Dalton TLS "When The Daltons Rode" Signed by Wife
TLS

Typed letter signed "E. Dalton" by Mrs. Emmett Dalton (Julia) on behalf of her husband, Hollywood, CA, no date. Addressed to journalist and raconteur Bertrand "Frisco Bert" Couch. 1p, 8.5" x 11". Dalton references his famous book "When The Daltons Rode" to help provide answers to the questions Couch has in regard to his attempt to produce a radio or film program based on Emmett's story. Signature dark and bold with some feathering, and an additional imprint directly above from fold. The letter is accompanied by the original envelope which is postmarked Los Angeles, October 21, 1936, with a cancelled 3-cent Washington stamp and printed addresses.

Dalton writes, with numerous spelling and punctuation errors:

"HOLLYWOOD CALIF MR M B COUCH PO BOX 2297 SAN FRANCISCO DEAR MR CROUCH THANK YOU FOR YORE LETTER OF NOV 22ND IF YOU LOOK UP A 2SECCOND HAND BOOKSTORE YOU MAY FIND A BOOK THAT I WROTE IN 31 WHICH IS CALLED WHEN THE DALTONS RODE. WHICH I THINK IS OUT OF PRINT. YOU WILL FIND ALL THE DATA YOU ASK FOR IN THE BOOKE I HAVE BEEN LAID UP FOR 2 WEEKS. OUT OF BED NOW. HOPE TO STAY UP FOR A WHILE AT LEAST. YOU HAVE ASKED QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVE NEVER TOLD TOANY ONE. I AM VERY TRULY YOURS E DALTON."

Emmett Dalton (1871-1937) was an American outlaw, train robber and member of the Dalton Gang in the American Old West. Emmett's older brothers briefly worked as US deputy marshals in Indian Territory and shared a position held by their older brother Frank Dalton after he was killed in the line of duty. They hired Emmett to serve as a guard at the jail at Fort Smith, in present-day Arkansas. The elder two started working for the Osage Nation to help them set up a police force but fled after being pursued for stealing horses. Shortly after, they began to conduct robberies of banks, stagecoaches, and trains. Emmett would later join them forming The Dalton Gang. The Dalton Gang ended on October 5, 1892 when the crew attempted to rob two banks on the same day in Coffeyville, Kansas with the hope of making enough money to flee the country. Four of the gang were killed in a gunfight with law enforcement and townsmen. Emmett Dalton survived but was severely wounded. It is said that he had the chance to escape, but upon seeing his brother Bob hurt, he turned back to help him on his horse. It was then that he was injured, receiving more than 23 gunshot wounds. Upon capture, Emmett was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in Lansing. Dalton, considered a model prisoner, was pardoned by the state governor and released after 14 years. He would later move to Oklahoma and write two books including "When The Daltons Rode", which would later be adapted into a movie of the same name directed by George Marshall and starring Randolph Scott, Kay Francis and Brian Donlevy.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: TLS

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