Rube Burrow

Infobox Person
name = Rube Burrow


caption =
birth_date = 11 December 1854
birth_place = Lamar County, Alabama
death_date = 9 October 1890
death_place = Marengo County, Alabama
other_names = Reuben Houston Burrow
known_for = Outlaw
occupation =

Rube Burrow, born Reuben Houston Burrow in Lamar County, Alabama on 11 December 1854, was a nationally infamous train-robber and outlaw in the Southern and Southwestern United States.

Early life

Burrow grew up in Arkansas and moved to Stephenville, Texas in 1872, where he attempted farming. His wife died of yellow fever in 1880, leaving him to care for two small children. He remarried in 1884 and moved to Alexander, Texas, but when his crops failed, he turned to robbing trains with his brother Jim in 1886.cite web|title="Rube Burrow"|work="Legends Of America: Old West Outlaws"|url=http://www.legendsofamerica.com/WE-OutlawList-B.html|accessdate=2008-01-09]

Time as an outlaw

The two of them teamed up with W.L Brock, Leonard Brock, Henderson Brumley, and Nep Thornton to form the so-called Burrow Gang. The gang robbed their first train on 1 December 1886 in Bellevue, Texas. They continued to rob trains until 1888, by this time they had become the most infamous train robbers since Jesse James. They were pursued by hundreds of lawmen throughout the southern half of the United States, including the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Rube and Jim were caught by lawmen as train passengers in 1888 while pulling into Nashville, Tennessee. Rube shot his way out and escaped but Jim was taken into custody and sent to jail in Texarkana. Jim would die on 5 October 1888 from tuberculosis.

Death

Rube became the sole subject of one of the most widespread manhunts in American history. He returned to his state of origin in 1890, seeking refuge. His fortunes changed on 9 October 1890,Marengo County Heritage Book Committee: "The heritage of Marengo County, Alabama", pages 2-3. Clanton, Alabama: Heritage Publishing Consultants, 2000. ISBN 189164758X] when he was recognized by a store owner, J.D. "Dixie" Carter, on Cahaba Avenue in Linden, Alabama. The store owner was able to capture Burrow and lock him in his storeroom, but Burrow escaped yet again while Carter went for help. Carter, returning from alerting the authorities, was shot in the arm by Burrow. A gunfight ensued and Burrow was fatally wounded with a shot to the abdomen, dying in the street. Carter would later recover the reward for Burrow's capture .

References