About Wallowa County: People Places, Images, edited by Ellie Belew
Bank Robbery in Joseph -page 12
The Great Joseph Bank Robbery reenactment has taken place once or twice a week every summer, every year but one, since 1987. It recreates the true-life shoot-'em-up bank robbery that took place on October 1, 1896.
It started with four bandits riding up Main Street to the bank (now Wallowa County Museum), but in the interest of historical accuracy the number has been reduced to three. In 1896 they were gang leader Cy Fitzhugh, who escaped with some $2,000 in loot; Jim Brown, who was shot and killed during the holdup; and Dave Tucker, who was wounded, captured, and sent to prison.
Through the years the drama has been embellished. After the lone horseman has escaped, a voice-over tells the part of the story that makes this Old West robbery tale out of the ordinary. Dave Tucker returned to his home county after he paid his debt to society and was given a second chance by local sheep baron Pete Beaudoin. Tucker eventually became a prosperous rancher and respected citizen, as well as vice president of the bank he helped rob.
Tucker's son, the late Harley Tucker, helped found Chief Joseph Days. When Dave Tucker was eighty, the Chieftain quoted him: "I don't feel I have ever fully atoned for what I did. I have tried, but it was a terrible thing...I have always felt I have owed society a lot...I have done my best to make up for my mistakes."
The Chieftain's editorial response: "And the people who know Dave Tucker and the story of his courageous comeback know that he has done his best and that it has been more than enough."-Elaine Dickenson
Bank Robbery in Joseph -page 12
The Great Joseph Bank Robbery reenactment has taken place once or twice a week every summer, every year but one, since 1987. It recreates the true-life shoot-'em-up bank robbery that took place on October 1, 1896.
It started with four bandits riding up Main Street to the bank (now Wallowa County Museum), but in the interest of historical accuracy the number has been reduced to three. In 1896 they were gang leader Cy Fitzhugh, who escaped with some $2,000 in loot; Jim Brown, who was shot and killed during the holdup; and Dave Tucker, who was wounded, captured, and sent to prison.
Through the years the drama has been embellished. After the lone horseman has escaped, a voice-over tells the part of the story that makes this Old West robbery tale out of the ordinary. Dave Tucker returned to his home county after he paid his debt to society and was given a second chance by local sheep baron Pete Beaudoin. Tucker eventually became a prosperous rancher and respected citizen, as well as vice president of the bank he helped rob.
Tucker's son, the late Harley Tucker, helped found Chief Joseph Days. When Dave Tucker was eighty, the Chieftain quoted him: "I don't feel I have ever fully atoned for what I did. I have tried, but it was a terrible thing...I have always felt I have owed society a lot...I have done my best to make up for my mistakes."
The Chieftain's editorial response: "And the people who know Dave Tucker and the story of his courageous comeback know that he has done his best and that it has been more than enough."-Elaine Dickenson
About Wallowa County: People Places, Images, edited by Ellie Belew
Bank Robbery in Joseph -page 12
The Great Joseph Bank Robbery reenactment has taken place once or twice a week every summer, every year but one, since 1987. It recreates the true-life shoot-'em-up bank robbery that took place on October 1, 1896.
It started with four bandits riding up Main Street to the bank (now Wallowa County Museum), but in the interest of historical accuracy the number has been reduced to three. In 1896 they were gang leader Cy Fitzhugh, who escaped with some $2,000 in loot; Jim Brown, who was shot and killed during the holdup; and Dave Tucker, who was wounded, captured, and sent to prison.
Through the years the drama has been embellished. After the lone horseman has escaped, a voice-over tells the part of the story that makes this Old West robbery tale out of the ordinary. Dave Tucker returned to his home county after he paid his debt to society and was given a second chance by local sheep baron Pete Beaudoin. Tucker eventually became a prosperous rancher and respected citizen, as well as vice president of the bank he helped rob.
Tucker's son, the late Harley Tucker, helped found Chief Joseph Days. When Dave Tucker was eighty, the Chieftain quoted him: "I don't feel I have ever fully atoned for what I did. I have tried, but it was a terrible thing...I have always felt I have owed society a lot...I have done my best to make up for my mistakes."
The Chieftain's editorial response: "And the people who know Dave Tucker and the story of his courageous comeback know that he has done his best and that it has been more than enough."-Elaine Dickenson
Bank Robbery in Joseph -page 12
The Great Joseph Bank Robbery reenactment has taken place once or twice a week every summer, every year but one, since 1987. It recreates the true-life shoot-'em-up bank robbery that took place on October 1, 1896.
It started with four bandits riding up Main Street to the bank (now Wallowa County Museum), but in the interest of historical accuracy the number has been reduced to three. In 1896 they were gang leader Cy Fitzhugh, who escaped with some $2,000 in loot; Jim Brown, who was shot and killed during the holdup; and Dave Tucker, who was wounded, captured, and sent to prison.
Through the years the drama has been embellished. After the lone horseman has escaped, a voice-over tells the part of the story that makes this Old West robbery tale out of the ordinary. Dave Tucker returned to his home county after he paid his debt to society and was given a second chance by local sheep baron Pete Beaudoin. Tucker eventually became a prosperous rancher and respected citizen, as well as vice president of the bank he helped rob.
Tucker's son, the late Harley Tucker, helped found Chief Joseph Days. When Dave Tucker was eighty, the Chieftain quoted him: "I don't feel I have ever fully atoned for what I did. I have tried, but it was a terrible thing...I have always felt I have owed society a lot...I have done my best to make up for my mistakes."
The Chieftain's editorial response: "And the people who know Dave Tucker and the story of his courageous comeback know that he has done his best and that it has been more than enough."-Elaine Dickenson
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