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Show Butch Cassidy didn 't like him ffff as j By Nancy Taniguchi Castle Valley Historical Society Gunplay Maxwell was one of the few outlaws who was never accepted by anyone. He never succeeded as an outlaw because, in the words of one local resident, He just wasnt smart enough. He spent several years in Eastern Utah, much of it in Carbon County where his wife owned a house on Main Street. His most escapade was the Springville bank robbery, one of the most dismal failures in the history of western crime. After serving a term in the penitentary for his efforts he returned to Price where he was shot down on Main Street in the last Wild West killing in town. Gunplay (C.L.) Maxwell was an alias, as befitted a man who could do so little right. His real name has been reported as John L. Carter, or Cotter, or perhaps it was Bliss, the name his wife went by. However, he is best known as Maxwell. He first appeared in this area in the 1890s and tried to get into the outlaw business by rustling cattle off of Preston Nutters ranch in Nine Mile Canyon. Many other people were doing the same thing; in fact, several legitimate cattlemen in the West got their start in just such a fashion. Maxwells incursions were regarded as only a minor irritation by the Nine Mile ranchers, however, and he was left alone. Maxwell drifted around eastern Utah pursuing more or less legitimate ends. He is reputed to have worked in Helper, Scofield, Price and as a guard for some of the local coal mines. He tried to join the gang at the Robbers Roost, but they would have none of him. He was definitely in Price just a few days before Butch Cassidy and his gang stole the payroll at Castle Gate. The local authorities apparently suspected g was about to take place, that some for one of the issues at the meeting of the county commissioners just prior to the robbery was the strengthening of the local law enforcement force with die nomination of deputies. Pearl Baker of Green River states that, According to the Carbon County Minute Book No. 1, June 1894 to December 1900 at a meeting of the commissioners in April, 1897, just a few days before the Castle Gate holdup, Sheriff Donant of Price presented the name of C. L. Maxwell for deputy sheriff to the board for confirmation. There was a great deal of argument, and the matter was tabled until the next meeting. County Attorney, J.W. Warf, presented opinions to the Board which were read and filed. The contents were not set forth. Maxwell had apparently already helped the evil-doin- local authorities, however, Mrs. Baker continues, Before the meeting was over, Donant had presented a bill for $35 to C. L. Maxwell, which was. disallowed. However, that doesnt mean too much - more claims were disallowed at that five-da- y meeting than were ordered paid. Perhaps the $35 claim indicates that Maxwell was trying to inform on the holdup plans. Butch Cassidy and Maxwell were not friends. The writer Charles Kelly reports a colorful incident. In 1879 Maxwell decided to make a reputation for himself by standing up to Butch Cassidy. Cassidy was in Vernal; Maxwell was camped just outside. He sent word to the leader of the Wild Bunch to leave town instantly or suffer the consequences. So Butch rode out to the camp, and Maxwell rode to meet hime, both men with guns drawn. horse Butch called Maxwell a thief and told him he had five seconds to get going or he was a dead man. Maxwell went. petty-larcen- y Kelley further supposes that, Maxwell decided to refurbish his tarnished laurels by robbing a bank in regular Cassidy style, C.L Maxwell and his dead sidekick "Porter" were drawn shortly ''Gunplay since he certainly wasnt going to be accepted as a Price lawman. If he couldnt shoot Butch and become a good guy, then he might as well get rich quick. Maxwell, in planning his own robbery attempt, used a combination of methods unequalled in the history of the West, for what will become obvious reasons. He teamed with a man named Porter who would follow Maxwell no matter what, a decision that cost him his life. According to Charles Kelleys account, Maxwell had the intention of robbing Senator Reed Smoots bank in Provo. Unfortunately certain parties who were friendly to both sides warned Smoot of what was afoot and the bank removed most of its ready cash. Finding his plans had miscarried, Maxwell decided to strike in another place. It would have been better had he gone straight right there, Kelley continues, Two of his helpers hired a team and buggy from a after their apprehension in Hobble Creek Canyon: Provo liveryman, in which Maxwell and his partner rode through town and on south to Springville. Meanwhile, as the team was not returned (by that night), the liveryman swore out a warrant for the arrest of the two men who had hired him. Maxwell apparently heard of this action; at any rate, he decided to pull the holdup ahead of schedule. On Saturday morning Porter and Maxwell entered the Springville bank. They strode up to the counter and presented a note to the bookkeeper which read: Springville, Utah, May 28, 1898 On sight pay to the order of T.S. Cerswell the sum of $200. C.H. CARTER, by T.C. Burton. The bookkeeper replied that he couldnt hand over the money because the cashier had just gone out, and besides, Carter had no money on deposit. He then resumed his work. Infuriated by this casual treatment, Maxwell and Porter drew their guns. As Porter stood guard . |
