Lot 140

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Description:

E. Dalton "My father was boarn in Mount Sterling K.Y and went thro the Mexican war" Incredible Biographical Information 

1p, 8.5” x 11” Single Page TLS Emmett Dalton, San Francisco, CA, Postmarked Nov 22, 1936. Signed “Emmett Dalton and addressed to journalist and raconteur Bertrand “Frisco Bert” Couch. Dalton references negotiating a contract with Couch in regards to his attempt to produce a radio or film program based on his story,   "When the Dalton's Rode" and discusses some personal biographical information.

Signature dark and bold with some feathering. Expected folds, light soiling, and staining from a removed paperclip. Small tear along fold on right side. 

Dalton writes, with numerous spelling and punctuation errors:

“Hollywood Calif
Mr Bert Couch
2297 San Francisco, Calif

Dear Bert,

Its been a long time since I wrote you, but things have been rushing so fast and I have been so busy that I hardly knew what I was doing.

The question they ask sounds silly to me, of course if I sign a contract, I can come to New York? But I would first like for you to tell me what their contract is?, Of course, I am sure you would not sign any fake contract but I would like to know. How much does their contract call for, by the week? These are things I will have to know first.

My father was boarn in Mount Sterling K.Y and went thro the Mexican war. My Mother was boarn Liberty Missouri. All us children were boarn in differnt parts of Missouri? There were ten boys and five girls in our family. Please answer immediely.
I would like to have about three or four days notich before we go east to have me a set of teeth made that I can talk with.

In Haste, Yours Truly

Emmett Dalton”

The letter is accompanied by the original envelope which is postmarked “Los Angeles Nov 22 1936”, with a cancelled 3 cent Washington stamp and the printed address and return address.

Emmett Dalton (b. 1871) 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 gun fight 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 Dalton’s 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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