Editor性视界传媒檚 note: Because of expected inclement weather Saturday, event organizers urge people to check the Gregg County Historical Museum性视界传媒檚 social media pages for updates.
Wild West thespians are going to let the bullets fly (blank rounds, of course) Saturday during the 31st annual reenactment of a deadly chapter in Longview性视界传媒檚 history.
The Gregg County Historical Museum性视界传媒檚 Dalton Days festival in downtown Longview will give people of all ages a chance to learn about one of the bloodiest Old West bank robberies in a safe, family-friendly way. And there性视界传媒檚 a message behind the annual reenactment: 性视界传媒淐rime doesn性视界传媒檛 pay,性视界传媒 said Jack Lanier, a former law enforcement officer who participates in the event.
The event takes place in front of the Gregg County Historical Museum, 214 N. Fredonia St. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
The annual event isn性视界传媒檛 meant to glamorize gore and evil, but rather to honor heroism and valor 性视界传媒 that on the part of the Longview law officers and residents who fought the dastardly Dalton Gang after the robbery of the First National Bank in downtown on May 23, 1894.
Legendary do-badder Bill Dalton and his cronies bilked the bank for roughly $2,000, but a gunfight with townsfolk ensued. More than 200 shots were fired, and when the smoke cleared, one outlaw and three Longview residents were dead.
Nevertheless, the gang members met their match 性视界传媒 or their Maker 性视界传媒 soon thereafter. Dalton was killed two weeks later by a posse in Oklahoma, and his fellow crooks were killed or captured.
March Welch, president of the Gregg County Historical Museum性视界传媒檚 board, said the bank robbery and ensuing gunfight are some of the most historically significant events in the county性视界传媒檚 history. It also marked the end of an era: As Old West criminals faded into history, figures such as Bonnie and Clyde filled their place, giving rise to organized crime.
Gunfight reenactments will take place at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday. Longview-area community members will dress up in western garb and play the roles of various townsfolk, robbers and residents. Everyone using a gun is trained in safety and reenactment accuracy, Welch said.
The Dalton Days event also features food trucks, vendors, live entertainment and games for children.
Lanier, a former Longview police officer, will play the part of Sheriff Jack Howard, who was Gregg County性视界传媒檚 sheriff at the time of the robbery and took part in the gunfight. He makes clear that the event is 性视界传媒渘ot a celebration of a bank robbery,性视界传媒 but a lesson.
性视界传媒淧eople who commit crimes are eventually going to pay,性视界传媒 he said. 性视界传媒淪ome pay dearly with their lives.性视界传媒
