Today in 1895, notorious train robber John Smalley was killed in a shootout with deputies near Cadillac, Michigan. Smalley, who had stolen over $1 million and eluded capture for a decade, was shot while attempting to evade arrest after a robbery near Farwell. Despite his criminal career, he was never jailed due to insufficient evidence. The missing loot is rumored to be buried near McBain, Michigan.
TRANSCRIPT
On this day way back in 1895, Michigan’s most notorious train robber was shot dead by deputies during a shootout in Missaukee County near Cadillac. John Smalley bragged that he had stolen over $1 million during his decade long crime career. Though he was suspected in numerous robberies, he was never jailed because of a lack of evidence. According to an article in the Fort Wayne Weekly Journal in 1895, Smalley and his gang held up a train near Farwell on August 20th. And after the robbery, a local farmer came forward with a tip that a man approached him and asked if he wanted to make some quick money. The farmer said he was in if it was legitimate. But then Smalley said, “Its on wheels, all you have to do is stop.” The savvy farmer knew what Smalley meant and turned him down, but not before getting some information about him. Authorities waited for him and his crew to return to his girlfriend’s house where they opened fired on him. Smalley was killed with a gun in each hand, fighting to the end. As for the missing loot, some think it’s still hidden buried away somewhere near McBain, Michigan.