Big Bear, CA
I quiet mountain community full of back country adventure.
Robert LeRoy Parker
Robert LeRoy Parker, born April 13, 1866, in Beaver, Utah Territory, was better known as Butch Cassidy, the infamous American outlaw, train robber, and leader of the Wild Bunch gang. Raised in a Mormon pioneer family near Circleville, Utah, he adopted the alias “Butch Cassidy” to distance himself from his family’s name after taking up a life of crime. His early mentor, rustler Mike Cassidy, influenced his path, and he earned the nickname “Butch” while working briefly as a butcher in Wyoming.
Cassidy became notorious in the late 1880s and 1890s for leading the Wild Bunch, a gang responsible for a string of daring bank and train robberies across the western United States, including the 1897 Castle Gate payroll heist in Utah and the 1899 Wilcox train robbery in Wyoming. Known for his charisma, meticulous planning, and non-violent approach—avoiding killing during robberies—he gained a “Robin Hood” reputation, often sharing stolen money with local communities. He operated out of hideouts like Robbers Roost in Utah and Hole-in-the-Wall in Wyoming.
Early Life and Background
Robert LeRoy Parker, later known as Butch Cassidy, was born on April 13, 1866, in Beaver, Utah Territory, to Mormon pioneer parents, Maximillian Parker and Ann Campbell Gillies. As the eldest of thirteen children, Robert grew up in a devout family of English immigrants who had converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United Kingdom. His parents arrived in Utah in the 1850s, with Maximillian crossing the plains in 1856 at age twelve and Ann immigrating in 1859 at fourteen. They married in 1865, settling on a ranch near Circleville, Utah, by 1879, when Robert was thirteen.
The Parker family’s homestead, a modest two-room cabin south of Circleville, was where Robert, known as Roy to family and friends, spent his formative teenage years. Despite his religious upbringing, young Roy showed early signs of restlessness and a disinterest in church attendance. Working on local ranches to support his large family, he encountered Mike Cassidy, a cowhand and small-time cattle rustler, at Jim Marshall’s ranch twelve miles south of Circleville. Mike became a mentor, teaching Roy horsemanship and marksmanship, skills that would later define his outlaw career. To distance himself from his family’s reputable name, Roy adopted the surname Cassidy, likely in honor of his mentor, and later earned the nickname “Butch” from a stint as a butcher’s apprentice in Rock Springs, Wyoming.
Early Brushes with the Law
Roy’s first recorded run-in with the law occurred around 1880, at a young age, when he entered a closed clothing shop in another town, took a pair of jeans and a pie, and left an IOU promising to pay later. Though he intended to settle the debt, the shopkeeper pressed charges. Roy was acquitted at trial, but the incident marked the beginning of his friction with authority. By 1884, at age eighteen, Roy left Circleville, disillusioned by his family’s loss of land in a property rights dispute and seeking greater opportunities. He drifted to Telluride, Colorado, working as a mule-skinner in silver mines and possibly delivering stolen horses, a path that led him toward a life of crime.
The Outlaw Trail and the Wild Bunch
In 1889, at age twenty-three, Roy—now Butch Cassidy—committed his first major crime: the robbery of the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride, Colorado, alongside Matt Warner and two McCarty brothers. The group stole approximately $21,000 (equivalent to about $735,000 in 2024), fleeing to Robbers Roost, a remote hideout in southeastern Utah’s rugged canyon country. This marked Butch’s entry into the Outlaw Trail, a loosely connected network of hideouts stretching from Mexico to Montana, including Robbers Roost, Hole-in-the-Wall in Wyoming, and Browns Park near the Utah-Colorado-Wyoming border.
By the mid-1890s, Butch had formed the Wild Bunch, a loosely organized gang of outlaws that included Harry Longabaugh (the Sundance Kid), Elzy Lay, Harvey Logan (Kid Curry), Ben Kilpatrick (the Tall Texan), and others. Known for their charisma and meticulous planning, the Wild Bunch executed a series of daring bank and train robberies across the western United States. In Utah, Butch and his gang became local legends, often hiding out in Robbers Roost and Browns Park, where sympathetic ranchers provided shelter and supplies. Butch’s reputation as a “Robin Hood of the West” grew from stories of him sharing stolen money with the poor, a strategy that ensured community support and protection.
A notable Utah exploit occurred on April 21, 1897, when Butch, the Sundance Kid, and Elzy Lay robbed the Pleasant Valley Coal Company payroll in Castle Gate, Utah. Posing as bystanders, they stole $7,000 in silver coins in broad daylight without firing a shot, escaping to Robbers Roost. This heist, one of the largest payroll robberies in the Old West, cemented their notoriety. Another significant robbery took place on August 13, 1896, when Butch and Elzy Lay hit the Bank of Montpelier in Idaho, reportedly to raise funds to bail out Matt Warner. They escaped with loot, evading a posse led by Sheriff Jefferson Davis.
Butch’s time in Utah was not solely about crime. He cultivated a reputation for charm and non-violence, paying for meals and horses and avoiding killing during robberies. In Browns Park, he and the Wild Bunch were known for their generosity, even hosting a lavish Thanksgiving dinner in the mid-1890s at the Davenport ranch, complete with roast turkey and pumpkin pie, served to thirty-five locals. Such acts endeared him to communities resentful of wealthy cattle barons.
Legal Troubles and Imprisonment
In 1894, Butch was arrested in Wyoming for horse theft, a charge stemming from his rustling activities. He served two years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary in Laramie, from 1894 to 1896. His time in prison did little to deter him; upon release, he resumed his criminal career with renewed vigor, organizing the Wild Bunch for their most prolific period. However, the increasing presence of law enforcement and the Pinkerton Detective Agency, hired by railroad companies, made evading capture more difficult.
Life in Utah’s Outlaw Havens
Utah’s rugged terrain provided ideal hideouts for Butch and the Wild Bunch. Robbers Roost, located between the Colorado, Green, and Dirty Devil Rivers, was a labyrinth of canyons where outlaws could disappear. Browns Park, a remote enclave along the Green River, offered another safe haven, where ranchers like the Carlisle family provided jobs and cover. Butch’s ability to blend into these communities, coupled with his genial demeanor, allowed him to operate with relative impunity for years. His romantic involvement with Ann Bassett, a Browns Park rancher’s daughter, further tied him to the region, with some speculating she was Etta Place, the Sundance Kid’s companion.
Escape to South America
By 1901, the Wild Bunch was unraveling under pressure from relentless manhunts. With bounties on their heads and Pinkerton detectives closing in, Butch, the Sundance Kid, and Etta Place fled to New York City, then sailed to Buenos Aires, Argentina, on February 20, 1901. Posing as James Ryan, Butch settled with his companions in a four-room log cabin on a 15,000-acre ranch near Cholila, Chubut. They attempted a legitimate life, raising 300 cattle, 1,500 sheep, and 28 horses, as noted in a 1902 letter Butch wrote to Elzy Lay’s mother-in-law. However, by 1906, they returned to banditry, robbing banks and trains across South America.
The Mystery of Butch Cassidy’s Fate
The traditional narrative holds that Butch and Sundance died in a shootout with the Bolivian Army on November 7, 1908, near San Vicente, Bolivia. After robbing a mine payroll, they were cornered in a boarding house, where a firefight ended with two gunshots, presumed to be suicides. However, the exact circumstances remain uncertain, fueling speculation that Butch survived. Family members, including his sister Lula Parker Betenson, claimed he returned to Circleville in 1925, visiting family and sharing stories of his exploits. Others, including residents of Utah and Wyoming, reported sightings of Butch in the 1930s, living under aliases like William T. Phillips, a Spokane engineer who wrote an unpublished manuscript, The Bandit Invincible, believed by some to be Butch’s autobiography.
Historian Larry Pointer, in In Search of Butch Cassidy, argues that Butch faked his death in Bolivia, underwent facial surgery in Paris, and lived quietly in Washington until 1937. A 1930s account from a Utah doctor, Francis Smith, claimed Butch showed him a repaired bullet wound, supporting the survival theory. However, other historians, like Charles Kelly, found it odd that Butch never visited his father, Maximillian, who died in 1938, if he were alive. DNA tests in 2008 on remains exhumed in Bolivia failed to confirm Butch’s identity, leaving the mystery unresolved.
Legacy in Utah
Butch Cassidy’s legend looms large in Utah, where his boyhood home in Circleville remains a historical site, restored and open to visitors. The Cassidy Trail in Red Canyon and the Robbers Roost region in Capitol Reef National Park attract adventurers seeking traces of his life, including rumors of buried treasure from the Castle Gate robbery. His story, romanticized in the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford, has cemented his status as a folk hero. In Utah, he is celebrated as a charismatic outlaw who challenged powerful institutions, embodying the rebellious spirit of the Old West.
Butch’s reputation as a “gentleman criminal” stems from his non-violent approach and generosity. Stories of him aiding poor families, like the Thanksgiving feast in Browns Park, and his refusal to harm victims during robberies, earned him admiration. His connection to Utah’s rugged landscapes and communities, from Circleville to Robbers Roost, makes him a central figure in the state’s cultural and folklore heritage. Whether he died in Bolivia or lived on in obscurity, Butch Cassidy’s legacy as Utah’s “Robin Hood of the West” endures.
Ansel Easton Adams
Ansel Easton Adams was born on February 20, 1902, in San Francisco, California. A hyperactive child with a restless spirit, Adams found solace in nature, particularly during family trips to Yosemite National Park. At age 12, a visit to Yosemite in 1916 sparked a lifelong passion. Given a Kodak No. 1 Box Brownie camera by his parents, Adams began capturing the park’s dramatic landscapes, igniting his journey as a photographer. His early exposure to Yosemite’s granite cliffs, waterfalls, and vast wilderness shaped his artistic vision, blending technical precision with emotional resonance.
Adams was largely self-taught, both in music (his initial pursuit) and photography. By his late teens, he joined the Sierra Club, a conservation organization, which deepened his connection to Yosemite. He worked as a custodian at the Sierra Club’s LeConte Memorial Lodge in Yosemite Valley during the 1920s, honing his craft while immersing himself in the park’s natural splendor. His early photographs, influenced by the Pictorialist style, emphasized soft focus and romanticized landscapes, but he soon sought a sharper, more precise aesthetic.
Development of a Photographic Vision
In the 1930s, Adams co-founded the f/64 group with photographers like Edward Weston and Imogen Cunningham. Named after the smallest camera aperture for maximum sharpness, the group championed “straight photography,” prioritizing crisp detail and tonal range over manipulative techniques. This philosophy crystallized Adams’ approach to capturing Yosemite’s rugged beauty. His iconic images, such as Monolith, The Face of Half Dome (1927), showcased his mastery of light, shadow, and composition, using large-format cameras and meticulous darkroom techniques.
Adams developed the Zone System, a methodical approach to exposure and development that allowed precise control over tonal values. This innovation, detailed in his later technical books, enabled him to translate Yosemite’s dynamic landscapes into prints with unparalleled depth and clarity. His photographs of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and the Sierra Nevada became defining representations of the American wilderness.
Impact on Yosemite and Conservation
Adams’ work transcended art, becoming a powerful tool for environmental advocacy. His photographs of Yosemite, published in portfolios and books like Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada (1948), brought the park’s majesty to a national audience. These images were instrumental in promoting conservation, reinforcing Yosemite’s status as a national treasure. As a Sierra Club board member, Adams lobbied for the preservation of wild spaces, including the expansion of national parks. His 1938 book, Sierra Nevada: The John Muir Trail, influenced President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress to establish Kings Canyon National Park in 1940, a testament to his impact on conservation policy.
Adams’ images shaped public perception of Yosemite, emphasizing its spiritual and ecological value. His work inspired generations to visit and protect the park, cementing its role as a symbol of America’s commitment to preserving natural landscapes. By capturing Yosemite’s timeless beauty, Adams helped foster a cultural appreciation for wilderness that resonated far beyond California.
Later Years and Legacy
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Adams continued photographing Yosemite while expanding his influence through teaching, writing, and exhibitions. His work gained international acclaim, with exhibitions at institutions like the Museum of Modern Art. In the 1960s and 1970s, as environmentalism grew, Adams’ images became synonymous with the movement, amplifying calls to protect places like Yosemite from development and overuse.
Adams died on April 22, 1984, leaving behind a legacy that endures in photography and conservation. The Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley remains a hub for his work, and the park’s Ansel Adams Wilderness Area honors his contributions. His photographs continue to inspire artists, environmentalists, and visitors, ensuring Yosemite’s preservation for future generations.
Conclusion
Ansel Adams’ life was intertwined with Yosemite National Park, from his formative experiences as a young photographer to his role as a conservation advocate. His technical innovations and evocative images elevated landscape photography to an art form, while his activism helped safeguard Yosemite’s natural splendor. Through his lens, Adams not only captured the park’s physical beauty but also its enduring significance as a beacon of environmental stewardship.
John Muir
John Muir (1838–1914) was a Scottish-American naturalist, writer, and conservationist, often called the “Father of the National Parks.” He played a key role in establishing Yosemite National Park and co-founded the Sierra Club. Muir’s explorations of the Sierra Nevada, Alaska, and other wild areas, combined with his influential writings, promoted the preservation of America’s natural landscapes. His work helped shape the modern conservation movement, emphasizing the spiritual and ecological value of wilderness.
Early Life
John Muir was born on April 21, 1838, in Dunbar, Scotland, a coastal town east of Edinburgh. He was the third of eight children born to Daniel Muir, a strict Presbyterian grain merchant, and Ann Gilrye Muir. Muir’s early years were shaped by a rigorous upbringing, marked by his father’s religious fervor and insistence on hard work. From a young age, Muir displayed a curiosity about the natural world, exploring the rugged Scottish coastline and countryside. He was an avid reader, devouring books on science, literature, and adventure, which fueled his imagination and desire for exploration.
In 1849, when Muir was eleven, his family immigrated to the United States, settling on a farm near Portage, Wisconsin. The transition was challenging; the family faced harsh winters and the demanding labor of clearing land for farming. Muir’s father imposed a grueling work schedule, but young John found solace in the surrounding wilderness. He spent his sparse free time observing the flora and fauna of the Wisconsin landscape, nurturing a lifelong passion for nature. Despite limited formal schooling, Muir educated himself through books and practical experimentation, showing an early aptitude for mechanics and invention.
Education and Early Career
Muir’s intellectual curiosity led him to the University of Wisconsin in Madison in 1860, where he studied botany, geology, and chemistry. Though he never completed a degree, his time at the university exposed him to influential ideas about natural science and philosophy. He was particularly inspired by the works of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, whose writings on transcendentalism and the spiritual value of nature resonated deeply with him.
After leaving university in 1863, Muir embarked on a series of journeys across the United States and Canada, working odd jobs to sustain himself. He walked hundreds of miles, studying plants, animals, and landscapes, and keeping detailed journals of his observations. In 1867, a pivotal event occurred: while working at a carriage parts factory in Indianapolis, Muir suffered a severe eye injury when a tool slipped and pierced his cornea. The accident temporarily blinded him and forced him to confront his mortality. During his recovery, he resolved to dedicate his life to exploring and protecting the natural world.
Exploration and Yosemite
In 1868, Muir arrived in California, where he first encountered the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite Valley. The breathtaking beauty of Yosemite, with its towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, and sequoia groves, profoundly affected him. He described it as “the grandest of all the special temples of Nature.” Muir worked as a sheepherder and guide in the region, studying its geology and ecology. His observations led him to develop a theory that Yosemite Valley was formed by glacial activity, a view that challenged prevailing scientific thought but was later validated.
Muir’s time in Yosemite marked the beginning of his career as a writer and advocate. He began publishing articles in magazines, describing the wonders of the Sierra Nevada and urging the preservation of wild spaces. His vivid prose and passionate arguments caught the attention of influential figures, including Emerson, whom Muir met in Yosemite in 1871. Their meeting solidified Muir’s commitment to nature conservation and established him as a prominent voice in the emerging environmental movement.
Conservation Advocacy
By the late 1870s, Muir was increasingly focused on protecting America’s natural landscapes from exploitation. The rapid industrialization of the United States, coupled with deforestation and overgrazing, alarmed him. In 1889, he began campaigning for the creation of Yosemite National Park, collaborating with Robert Underwood Johnson, editor of Century Magazine. Their efforts culminated in the establishment of Yosemite National Park in 1890, a landmark achievement in American conservation.
In 1892, Muir co-founded the Sierra Club with a group of like-minded individuals, serving as its first president until his death. The organization aimed to protect the Sierra Nevada and other wild places through advocacy, education, and public engagement. Muir’s leadership helped the Sierra Club become a powerful force in the conservation movement, promoting the creation of additional national parks and forests.
Muir’s advocacy extended beyond Yosemite. He lobbied for the preservation of areas like Sequoia National Park and the Grand Canyon, and he worked to protect forests from unsustainable logging. His writings, including books like The Mountains of California (1894) and Our National Parks (1901), inspired a growing public appreciation for wilderness and influenced policymakers to prioritize conservation.
Personal Life
In 1880, Muir married Louisa Strentzel, the daughter of a wealthy California orchardist. The couple settled in Martinez, California, where Muir managed the family’s fruit ranch. They had two daughters, Wanda and Helen. While Muir’s domestic life provided stability, his passion for exploration often drew him away from home. Louisa supported his work, recognizing its importance, though his frequent absences strained their relationship at times.
Muir’s later years were marked by both triumphs BOTH and challenges. He continued to travel, exploring places like Alaska, where he studied glaciers and advocated for the preservation of areas like Glacier Bay. However, he faced setbacks, notably the loss of the Hetch Hetchy Valley, a part of Yosemite National Park, which was dammed to provide water for San Francisco despite Muir’s fierce opposition. The defeat was a personal blow, but it galvanized further conservation efforts.
Legacy and Death
John Muir died on December 24, 1914, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 76, from pneumonia. His legacy endures through the landscapes he helped protect and the organizations he inspired. The Sierra Club remains a leading environmental organization, and national parks like Yosemite and Sequoia stand as testaments to his vision. Muir’s writings continue to inspire environmentalists, and his philosophy of the interconnectedness of nature and humanity remains relevant.
Muir is often called the “Father of the National Parks” for his role in shaping America’s conservation policies. His ability to blend scientific observation with poetic reverence for nature made him a unique and enduring figure. Landmarks like the John Muir Trail in the Sierra Nevada and Muir Woods National Monument near San Francisco honor his contributions. Through his tireless advocacy, Muir helped establish the idea that wild places are essential to human well-being and deserve protection for future generations.
Albert Clay Bilicke
Albert Clay Bilicke was a prominent businessman and hotelier in Tombstone, Arizona, during the late 19th century. Born in 1861 in Missouri, Bilicke moved west during a period when the American frontier was rapidly expanding, and opportunities for entrepreneurial ventures were abundant.
Early Life and Move to Tombstone
Bilicke arrived in Tombstone in the early 1880s, a time when the town was booming due to the discovery of silver. The town, known for its rough-and-tumble atmosphere and the infamous Gunfight at the O.K. Corral, attracted a variety of characters, from miners and outlaws to entrepreneurs like Bilicke.
Business Ventures
Albert Bilicke quickly became involved in the hospitality industry, recognizing the need for lodging and services in the rapidly growing town. He partnered with W. F. Staehle to build the Cosmopolitan Hotel, which became one of the premier establishments in Tombstone. The hotel catered to a range of clients, from miners and cowboys to wealthier visitors and businessmen. It was known for its comfort and amenities, which were somewhat luxurious for a frontier town.
In addition to the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Bilicke was involved in other business ventures in Tombstone, including real estate and mining investments. His ability to adapt and thrive in the challenging environment of a frontier town demonstrated his keen business acumen.
Personal Life and Legacy
Albert Bilicke was well-regarded in the community for his business sense and contributions to the town’s development. His work helped establish Tombstone as a more permanent settlement rather than just a transient mining camp. He was married to Gladys Huffman, and they had one child together. Eventually, Bilicke and his family moved to Los Angeles, California, where he continued his career in the hotel industry.
Later Years and Death
After leaving Tombstone, Bilicke went on to co-found the Alexandria Hotel in Los Angeles, which became one of the most famous hotels in the city during the early 20th century. Unfortunately, Bilicke’s life was cut short when he died in the sinking of the RMS Lusitania in 1915, a tragic event that shocked the world and contributed to the United States’ eventual entry into World War I.
Impact on Tombstone
Though Albert Clay Bilicke eventually left Tombstone, his impact on the town was significant. His contributions to its early infrastructure and economy helped lay the foundation for its survival beyond the boom-and-bust cycle typical of many mining towns. Today, Tombstone is known as a historic site, attracting tourists interested in its Wild West past, with figures like Bilicke playing a crucial role in its storied history.
John Augustus Sutter
In 1847, John Augustus Sutter partnered with James Marshall to construct a sawmill, where Marshall’s 1848 gold discovery sparked the California Gold Rush.
Early Life
John Augustus Sutter was born Johann August Sutter on February 23, 1803, in Kandern, Baden (then part of the Grand Duchy of Baden, near France). Raised in a family of modest means, Sutter apprenticed as a merchant and briefly served in the Swiss military. In 1834, facing financial difficulties and debts, he left his wife and five children in Switzerland and emigrated to the United States, seeking new opportunities. His ambition and charisma would define his ventures in the American West.
Journey to California
Sutter arrived in New York in 1834 and spent several years traveling across the United States, engaging in trade and commerce in Missouri and New Mexico. In 1838, he set out for California, then under Mexican control, via a circuitous route through Oregon, Hawaii, and Alaska. Arriving in Monterey in 1839, Sutter persuaded Mexican authorities to grant him nearly 50,000 acres in the Sacramento Valley. He established a settlement called New Helvetia (New Switzerland), centered around Sutter’s Fort, which became a hub for trade, agriculture, and immigration.
Sutter’s Fort and Ambitions
Sutter envisioned New Helvetia as a self-sufficient agricultural empire. He employed Native Americans and European settlers, cultivating crops, raising livestock, and building infrastructure. His fort served as a trading post and a waypoint for American pioneers crossing the Sierra Nevada. Sutter’s entrepreneurial spirit made him a prominent figure in Mexican California, and he gained Mexican citizenship to secure his land grant. By the mid-1840s, he was a leading landowner and employer in the region, with plans to expand his operations through ventures like a sawmill on the American River.
The Gold Rush and Downfall
In 1847, Sutter partnered with James Marshall to construct a sawmill in Coloma, California. On January 24, 1848, Marshall discovered gold at the site, a find that would ignite the California Gold Rush. While the discovery brought global attention to California, it proved disastrous for Sutter. Thousands of prospectors, known as “Forty-Niners,” flooded his land, trampling crops, slaughtering livestock, and squatting on his property. Sutter’s attempts to control the influx or profit from the gold failed, as his workers abandoned their posts to join the rush. The sawmill project collapsed, and his finances deteriorated.
Sutter sought legal recourse to protect his land claims, but the transition of California to American control after the Mexican-American War (1846–1848) complicated his efforts. Courts often ruled against him, and by the 1850s, he was bankrupt. His dreams of a prosperous empire unraveled as he lost much of his land and wealth.
Later Life and Legacy
In the 1860s, Sutter moved to Lititz, Pennsylvania, where he lived modestly with his family, supported by a small pension from the California legislature. He spent his final years petitioning the U.S. government for compensation for his lost lands, but his appeals were largely unsuccessful. Sutter died on June 18, 1880, in Washington, D.C., while pursuing his claims.
John Sutter’s life reflects the highs and lows of the California frontier. His establishment of Sutter’s Fort facilitated American expansion, and his land became the epicenter of the Gold Rush, which transformed California into an economic powerhouse. Yet, the very event that cemented his historical significance led to his personal ruin. Sutter’s legacy endures as a symbol of ambition, opportunity, and the unpredictable consequences of the Gold Rush era.