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Chris Evans, Sonntag Brothers (robbers, killers, innocent men) Half Plate Tintype

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Paper Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 500.00 USD
Chris Evans, Sonntag Brothers (robbers, killers, innocent men) Half Plate Tintype
SOLD
55.00USD+ (13.75) buyer's premium + applicable fees & taxes.
This item SOLD at 2018 May 09 @ 10:21UTC-7 : PDT/MST
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Chris Evans was a sharp shooting farmer who joined the notorious train robbers, the Sonntag Brothers. In August of 1892 they robbed a train at Collis Station near Fresno, shattered the express car with dynamite and got away with $5,000. A posse was formed to find the men and bring them to justice. The seven month chase resulted in which 9 deputies were injured and three were killed. John Sonntag died during the final eight hour battle at Simpson's Flat. George Sonntag incited a riot and was killed trying to scale the prison walls after he heard the news. Chris Evans, who insisted he never robbed a train and only killed in self-defense, was sentenced to life. He was pardoned in 1911.



This glass photograph of a man at final rest represents several problems. The book "Pictorial History of the Wild West" identifies the photo as that of Chris Evans. The book "Bandits and the Southern Pacific" by CB Glascock has a photo identifying a captured John Sonntag which looks like our negative.



This type of negative was used primarily up to 1880. However, someone could have used an old camera to take the photo. Still it would make more sense that it was the 1893 death of John Sonntag during the battle than the 1917 Chris Evans at home. A great story that needs more research! The book "Pictorial History of the Wild West is included.



HWAC# 45508 Date: Location: Simpson's Flat, California