When the Dalton Gang was wiped out in Coffeyville, KS on Oct. 5, 1892 there was still three members of the gang at large. Bill Doolin along with George "Bitter Creek" Newcomb, and Charlie Pierce would go on to form one of the most feared gang of desperadoes the southwest would ever know. Together with 7 other outlaws they would become known as the Doolin-Dalton Gang or the "Wild Bunch", and reign terror upon the territories for another 4 years.

Their first "solo" train robbery without the Dalton Boys came on the night of Oct. 12, 1892. Just 7 days after the Coffeyville disaster. Although the newspaper account below only mentions two masked men and gives no names, it is generally accepted among historians that it was the work of Bill Doolin, Bitter Creek Newcomb, Charlie Pierce and Ol Yantis. For their efforts that night they would secure $1,500.

As the east bound DM&A passenger in charge of Conductor Pearson, with Bruce Egleson at the throttle, pulled out Caney on Wednesday night, it was boarded by a mysterious looking stranger heavily armed. The train had gone a short but a short distance, when he proceeded to climb over the tender toward the engine. Engineer Egleson took in the situation at once, and began to slow up, when the robber ordered him to put on steam and go ahead, until he was ordered to stop, which command was promptly obeyed. About two miles east of Caney, the engineer was ordered to stop the train. The fireman and engineer were then compelled to cut off the engine and baggage car, and proceed a half mile further. By this time another robber had made his appearance. Just as the last stop was made, two shots were fired by the robbers, supposed to have been done as a signal to other members of the gang concealed in the vicinity. The robbers then went to the baggage car and ordered Express Messenger Maxwell to open the door, which he declined to do. Three shots were then fired through the side of the car, one of the balls glancing and striking the messenger, but not with sufficient force to do him any injury. He was told that if he did not open the door at once the car would be blown up with dynamite, but the brave messenger still refused to obey. The robber then compelled the engineer and fireman to go and beg the messenger to open the door, which he very reluctantly did. The bandits then entered the car and helped themselves. After securing everything of value in the car, they sprang to the ground and quickly disappeared in the darkness. The engineer immediately returned, hitched onto the rest of the train and came on to this city. At the present writing, the amount secured by the robbers has not been made public.

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