Search
the site
Internet
Convict Lake Resort
 Our
Name
The year was 1871. The Civil War had ended only six years before. The country
was still suffering the effects of this divisive time in it's history.
The Eastern Sierra was a wild and lawless place. It was populated by
miners, outlaws, rustlers, gangs comprised of former Confederate and
Union soldiers and wild
bands of Indians.
Of course, a few honest ranchers and citizens were
in the area as well! It was a quite Sunday on September 17, until 29
desperate prisoners
over-powered the guards of the Nevada State Penitentiary in
Carson City, NV ., stole weapons
and horses, and made their
escape. These convicts were some of West's
 worst the
characters;
murderers, rapists, train and stage robbers, and horse thieves. Once
the
prisoners had broken out, they split up. One group of 13 headed south.
Along the way they robbed several locals and stole more weapons,
horses and provisions. Six of this band separated and continued south
to escape
the posse they were sure was following them. Their leader was a convicted
22 year old murderer named Jones. He
had lived and worked in Mono and Inyo Counties for some time and
was familiar with the territory. One of the other convicts was named
Roberts,
an 18 year old convicted stage robber. He had grown up in Long Valley,
near Crowley Lake. Because Jones and Roberts knew the area, their
plan was to cross over the Sierra Mountains to the western slope
where they
would be safe from pursuit. Hell bent for leather, they headed towards
the Mammoth area, always fearful that a posse was on their tail. Read
on . . . |
|