Original Photograph Of Oklahoma Territory Outlaw, "Zip' Wyatt.

UNKNOWN PHOTOGRAPHER

Publication: 1895, NP

Original photograph, in death, of Nathaniel Ellsworth Wyatt, AKA "Zip" Wyatt, Dick Yeager. Image: 3.875"x5.5". Mount: 4.25"x6.5". Mount has scalloped edges. Born in Indiana in 1863, Wyatt came to Oklahoma Territory in 1889 with his family, settling east of Guthrie. After his brother was killed in Texline, Texas, Zip began robbing stores, post offices, and trains, and was involved in several fatal shootings, including the killing of Sheriff Andrew Balfour in Pryor's Grove, Kansas. He sought refuge in Indiana, but was tracked-down and arrested by Chris Madsen. He escaped from jail in Guthrie, and soon became associated with Bill Doolin. He was with Doolin in the April 3, 1895 train robbery at Dover, Oklahoma. Using the alias Dick Yeager, with his partner Ike Black, They robbed the general store and post office in Oxley, and then camped in the hills between Keene and Watonga. There they were jumped by Wood County Sheriff Clay McGrath and his posse, with the gunfight lasting much of the day, during which Wyatt and Black were both wounded. They managed to slip away, but were now pursued by a growing number of lawmen and citizens. On August 1, near Cantonment, Oklahoma, an 8-man posse led by Deputy Sam Campbell found them and opened fire. Black was hit in the head and died instantly. Wyatt was badly wounded by a shot in the chest, yet pumping shells continuously, Wyatt wounded one of the postmen and managed to escape on foot. Hunted by multiple posses, on August 3, he was found sleeping in a corn field, where he was shot by Ad Polk and Tom Smith. Zip Wyatt was taken to the Garfield County Jail in Enid, Oklahoma. Wounded in the chest, the abdomen, and the pelvis , Wyatt suffered terribly for several weeks, finally dying at the jail on September 7, 1895. None of his family would claim him. Local carpenter, Dan C. Bass, made a cheap pine coffin and accompanied the grave digger to the pauper's field south of town. As is plainly visible in the photograph, a wreath was laid on the body by Ad Polk, who had shot Wyatt. Upper left corner of mount is missing. Dick Yeager written in ink on blank margin along bottom edge. Clean, sharp, near fine image. Handwritten on verso, in ink: "In his coffin before burial in government plot at Enid. The wreath was placed there by Ad Polk the Deputy US Marshall that killed him." And at bottom edge: "Return Walter S. Ferguson Watonga O.T.. A rare image of a major Oklahoma Territory outlaw and killer of several men.

Inventory Number: 53224