The story that Butch Cassidy spent his last days in Nevada has been around a long time, long enough that a dirt road near the abandoned gold mine at Johnny, Nevada, where Butch is rumored to have died, is named Butch Cassidy Pass. So how did that tale get started?
“It’s very difficult to prove anything where outlaws are concerned,” said Kerry Ross Boren. “They change names as often as they change horses.”
Outlaw researcher Kerry Ross Boren has spent decades trying to unravel the dozens of competing theories that have clouded the story of Butch and Sundance. The two bandits have inspired dozens of books, hundreds of articles, movies and TV shows but Western historians disagree on almost every detail.
The tale is made murkier by imposters who have claimed to be Butch or Sundance. William Phillips of Spokane looked enough like an older Cassidy to fool some of his former associates, and historians, at least for a while.
What’s known for sure is that the gang plundered banks and robbed trains, then Butch and Sundance relocated to South America, along with the mysterious Etta Place. The duo reportedly died in a shootout in Bolivia 1909, the same story told in the hit movie.
The graves of the banditos yanquis became something of a tourist attraction, but when a world-famous DNA detective analyzed the remains in the 1990s, it was proven conclusively the dead men were not Butch and Sundance.
Hundreds of people, including relatives, friends, and lawmen, reported seeing the men in the years after they supposedly died. Butch’s sister, Lula Betensen, wrote a book about Cassidy’s 1925 visit to a house in Circleville, Utah.
Boren says one of the strongest hints that the bandits returned is that the Pinkerton agency, which had pursued them for many years, even into South America, kept looking.
“Privately their records show they were still looking for them into the 1920s and William A. Pinkerton, head of the Pinkerton agency, declared that neither of the two men had died in South America, and the case was still open,” Boren said.
If Butch Cassidy returned to the states after 1909, he may have been drawn to Nevada. The discovery of rich ore turned Goldfield into a boomtown, which attracted fortune hunters and outlaws, even the Earp’s into the 1920s.
Back in 1984, the I-Team interviewed Nevada historians who thought it likely that Cassidy would have been there.
“This would have been logical. There was as big strike,” said UNLV Professor Ralph Roske.
“If he was alive, he was here,” said Virginia Ridgeway, Goldfield historian. “Everyone else was.”
Kerry Boren says it’s not just speculation. He says, Cassidy lived in Goldfield under the name Frank Ervin, that he wrote three letters from Goldfield to the daughter of his former Wild Bunch partner Matt Warner. The authenticity of the letters is still debated, but Joyce Warner says she has no doubt because Cassidy, as Ervin, visited her home.
Boren’s book includes Cassidy-like photos of Frank Ervin working as a payroll guard in Goldfield, alongside another guard who resembles another Wild Bunch outlaw named Elzy Lay.
According to Boren and others, Cassidy’s trail came to an end at the isolated mining site, the Johnnie mine in Nye County. Millions in gold was mined in Johnnie in the early 20th century, and some claims are still being worked today.
In the 80’s, Nevada writers Deke Low and his wife Celeste told us that Cassidy had lived and died at the Johnnie mine. In 1944, an accident with a giant pulley wheel caused Cassidy’s death, according to Boren and others, and that Butch was buried near the mine in an unnamed grave.
Former Wild Bunch girlfriends Ann and Josie Bassett both verified the story. Ann Bassett visited the Johnnie mine in the 1930s. So, did Butch’s sister Lula Parker Betensen. She made the long trip just prior to her death in 1980, and Kerry Boren came with her.
“We walked out into the desert where Butch is buried. She stood at the grave. I expected her to be very emotional but she wasn’t. She reached down and picked up two small stones. She put one at the head of Butch’s grave and the other she stuck in her purse. She asked me at that time that I never reveal the location of the grave while she was alive and I kept that promise,” Boren said.
The large pulley wheel that was involved in the accident that killed Butch Cassidy has been removed from the mine site. The property is now owned by the Pahrump Historical Society which not only says its off limits to the public, they don’t even want us to tell you that it exists. But it does
http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/i-team-butch-cassidys-grave-may-be-in-nevada/760387469
I appreciate the kind words. I must make one correction: Butch was not the one who died at Johnnie, Nevada (although he is buried there). He died at Leeds, Utah, and was buried in the desert near Johnnie.
Thank you, sir! You are an example for all of us and I strive to emulate you
Much of what is written in the internet regarding Johnnie in wrong. For example an Indian named Johnnie did not guide George Montgomery to the mine. It was a Hiko miner named Mackey who located the property a month after Montgomery located the Chispa mine 4 mile away. The Town of Montgomery was also know as Monte View and the Deuces before the name was officially changed to Johnnie by Carl Schader in 1904.
Charlie Overfield of the Crown Point/Globe mine told me he met Cassidy as a kid and that his sister did visit his grave near Johnnie. My wife and I occasionally put flowers on the grave.
This is Bob Buck, my father Norman and Charlie Overfield were best friends. Charlie told me when he was a young boy that Butch would play with him.He also told me that the mine next to the crown point was owed by people in Utah. I have other information from Chuck.
I disagree, assay records show the ownership with Butch Cassidys sister. Butch was helping his sister and brother in law work the Johnnie, and was reportedly killed when the headbrace broke off and killed him where he stood. His sister placed flowers on his grave until the late 1980’s. The pass, the leads to the Johnnie, bears his name. Where did you receive your misinformation from?
Lula Betenson was my friend for many years. She only visited her brother’s grave near Johnnie once, and I was there when she did. I don’t care to debate it or try to convince others. You are entitled to believe your own misinformation.
I too have visited Butches grave near Johnnie. Charlie Overfield showed me the gravesite and told me stories of meeting Butch when he was a kid living with his father just south of the Johnnie mine. The large building just to the west of the mine was the schoolhouse Ed Overfield build for his two children.
I respect John Weisset’s opinion. There is no one more knowledgeable than he concerning the Johnnie area.
Well I for one appreciate anyone who has the tenacity to dig through these old cold cases. I certainly know how difficult it can be. Funny isn’t it, how people can easily accept killing but can’t believe anyone would fake their death. Keep up the good work!
Don’t thank me for that. Kerry Ross Boren is an acknowedged expert on the West, especially Western bad men and especially on Butch Cassidy,
Good stuff! New Butch Cassidy info.
Butch is not buried in the Johnnie Nevada. and Kerry Ross is full of it.
Oh? You have better information?
I laughed out loud when I read this. But YOU sir are completely devoid of a proper education reguarding the matter. There is the petroglyphs that has his markings on it.. there is the account of the brakemen running the cable lift.. alot that says he was there.. Dont be a republican poof. we got enough of those..
I might agree with you an some points, but can you please tell me what politics has to do with Butch Cassidy’s death? Also deriding a person educational background really has nothing to do with his death either.
According to my friend Charlie Overfield owner of the Crown Point mine, he met Butch as a kid and showed me his grave. I also interviewed the former head of the Nevada Historical Society who presonally spoke with
Cassidy’s sister as she used to leave flowers on his grave. Remenants of those flowers are still there.
The grave is located about 18 miles north of my home in Pahrump, Nevada. I still check on it periodically. AS for education I also have a PHD although mine stands for Pahrump History Detective.
Happy Trails,
You are half right. Mr. Ross is full of it. He has more knowledge on the subject than anyone.
In order for Mr. Lacy’s remarks to bother me I would first have to respect his opinion.
Yeah, Kerry. Being insulting is easy…refuting you and the other reliable sources for his burial, such as his sister, is a lot more difficult
If Butch died in Leeds, UT why would they travel 205 miles to burry him in Jonnie, Nevada back in the early 1900’s? Why not bring him home to be by his parents in an unmarked grave? or just bury him in Leeds.
It seems that Robert Leroy had a daughter who owned a house near Johnny Nevada.He was buried on her property
Butch’s brother Arthur was buried near Johnnie and Butch requested to be buried next to him. The graves defy convention. Most graves are side by side facing east; Butch and Arthur are buried head to foot facing the North Star. The explanation given by Butch’s daughter Thelma was that her father said that star had guided him home during his life and should guide him home at his death.
Hello everyone. The ayes and the noes. I really appreciate everybody’s opinion. Whatever the case, the story makes people think, which a healthy exercise. Regarding the Parker family, I feel they should get our respect, no matter what Robert did or did not.
His sister knew where he was burried, She would NOT tell anyone the Exact spoy, because ,people would dig him up for souvineers.. They did it in ITALY at the Catacombs, they would do it here.
We ride with the outlaws because they had the nerve to buck the system, whether or not they were victimized by it. Blokes like Butch and Wyatt continue to interest generations. They live on as entertainment industries.
I am gratified to report that I have at last secured proof that Butch returned from South America. I have acquired a photo of him taken in 1932 with secure provenance.
Mr Boren: I live 20 miles from Johnnie and the folks there are my friends. I have researched the area for 25 years and been in many of the mines of the district.
I would appreciate you contacting me. It might be mutually advantageous.
And we both know where that photo came from. I only wish my Dad was still here to tell more stories about his favorite Grandfather and his days as Butch’s friend and employer.
I am glad to make your acquaintance. Please feel free to contact me via email: authoroboran@gmail.com.
I was 13,traveling Utah and Nevada, when l first discovered Butch,lm almost sixty now,and l still love the story’s.
Please contact Mr Boren and purchase his book Butch Cassidy the Untold Story. Book is huge More of an encyclopedia. It contains the information you seek. i grew up in So. Nevada and purchased my current home located in Pahrump, Nevada in 1987 and one of my life’s work has been researching the Johnnie Mine where Butch died.
Mr. Boren is the expert on Butch, but if I may help you with the Johnnie, Chispa or surrounding mines (or history of the area) please contact me personally. I live 20 miles south of the Johnnie.
Happy Trails John
I’m just glad that people are now seeing that Butch Cassidy didn’t die in Bolivia but lived his life.
I also read Kerry Boren’s book, could not put it down. Butch and wild bunch fanatic. I got hooked when I visited his home in Circelville. I have spent time in Browns Park, Vernal , Baggs any place associated with Butch and would like to know where Butch’s ranch is or was located in North Eastern Oregon’s Baker County. 80% sure Butch did not die in South America.
Bill Cooper
Jim Summers was one of my dearest friends and I miss him every day. He was one of the greatest minds I have encountered and the stories he retained of family and experiences were amazing and so well written. His grandfather was a close friend and associate of Butch Cassidy. My consolation is that he is perhaps now in their company, enjoying their reminiscences first hand. I am at an age now wherein I can look forward to joining their circle.
John, you are a font of history and I value your opinion above most others. There is a plethora of tales told about Cassidy and the only thing one can do at best is to review the evidence and to rely on people’s accounts who knew him or knew of him much more intimately than self-appointed “experts” of these modern times. I have known personally dozens of people who knew Butch personally and who avow that he returned from South America and died in the United States. The majority of them were aware of the grave at Johnny. I visited the gravesite personally in the company of Butch’s sister Lula. She died believing that her brother was resting there.
I believe we have spoken before, but thanks for your comment. I love history particularly the Nevada Boomtown period. There was intrest in Butch about 12 years ago here in Pahrump when I ran the museum. I would speak my bliefs, but directed those interested to other sources of information.
Wrote a book on Phil Foote I am tryng to get published. He was killed at the Chispa mine (near the Johnnie) in 1895. Phil was a lawman turned desperado. He took over Glenwood Springs, Co. for a day with the help of his two bodyguards. Nellie and Jack. Two full grown mountain lions. So many great stories in the old west noone knows about. Keep up the good work.
I am very familiar with the history of Phil Foote. He was a great old character. I was glad to hear you have written a book about him. With your knowledge of the history of that part of Nevada, I am sure it will be a signature work. Good luck!
Since we spoke of Butch’s burial I will mention Foote was burried in the “White Man’s Cemetary” in Pahrump in 1895. I visit his garave quite often. Can’t help it. In 2003 Walmart built over the old cemetery and did not remove the graves. Reminds me of an old movie. True story.
KRB has missed, ignored and/or forgotten many facts, and has more than a few correct. So many opinions, so little proof. I will put my proof up against any opinion.
Thank you, Bob Buck, for your insight; just more substantiation of the facts. Thanks again.
Hi Bob,
Sorry I do not check my email every day. Involved in some new research.
I knew Charlie and Novella well. I even did some mining there. I heard the same stories. I believe I met your father a time or two. He lived just off Roadrunner if it is the same person.
If I may help in any way please let me know. I am a history buff and have quite a bit of information on the Johnnie area.
Happy Trails
John Weisser
The Butch Cassidy saga has milked my imagination for more than 40 years. I’m always interested in what Kerry has to say.
There is no longer sufficient evidence to uphold the belief that Butch died in Bolivia, and a great deal of evidence concerning his activities upon his return. If he didn’t die in Johnnie, Nevada, as the evidence now indicates, then at least he spent considerable time there, long enough to merit his name being attached to his old haunts.
Thanks for the reply, Kerry. I’ve been of the mind that Butch escaped So. America for 40+ years. Btw, Kerry, [Hoping the next comment is appropriate on this venue] I ran into your name in an old copy of Old West Magazine from the late ’60s/early 70s in the letters to the editor section. That was about a month ago. As I recall, in the letter, you were about to write a book. Out of curiosity, I googled your name. Found out you were still alive 50 years later AND you have a FB page where I likely left a comment of some sort. If interested, look for Tony Blue. Anyhow, great to hear from you.
Thanks for your comments. I am still alive, but I will be 82 in a couple of weeks, and wondering where the time went. I hope you visit my FB page, which is devoted mostly to history of the Uintah Basin region of Utah, with an occasional Old West tidbit thrown in. I will look for your comments.
. I agree there is plenty of evidence for his activities in Utah after his return from Bolivia…and I am quite grateful that his activities after his return were not documented and that he probably led a quiet life of some sort. Perhaps he died of stomach cancer, and I grieve for that…perhaps he didn’t and lived a good life for a few years before his death. One can only hope. To me, he was, at heart, a good person and I would hope so.