The three Dalton Brothers (Robert, Emmett and Grattan) started their careers as deputies in Fort Smith, Arkansas, before they turned crime to make a living.
In 1890 they stole some horses in Oklahoma, but when the ground became to hot under their feet they left for California, where they attempted to rob a train. The attempt failed since they couldn‘t get the safe opened. A man was killed during the attempt and the Daltons became wanted in the state of California.
In 1891 was they were back in Oklahoma with some new members in the gang. They tried another train robbery, and this time it was sucessful.
After this they had a period when almost everything they did was sucessful, until the day when Robert decided to execute the crime of the century. October 4 the Daltons rode into Coffeyville, Kansas, planning to rob two banks at the same time. This attempt failed miserably, and only Emmet came out of the town alive. He was sentenced to life in prison, but was pardoned in 1907.