Emmett Dalton TLS "When the Dalton's Rode" Superb

1p, 8.5” x 11” Single Page TLS Emmett Dalton, Hollywood, CA, Dated April 21, 1934. Signed “Emmett Dalton”, and addressed to John Tackett, who owned a photography studio in Coffeyville. Tackett would also collaborate with Emmett Dalton to write, film, produce and distribute a movie about the famous Coffeyville raid. Dalton discusses local Kansas broadcasting stations with Tackett and asks him to “Keep his ears open” to see if his book “When the Daltons Rode” is showcased on the stations. Dalton slyly remarks “We may own a “Broadcasting” station if they try to “Sneak” anything on us”.

Signature dark and bold with some light feathering in the last name. Expected folds.

Dalton writes, with numerous spelling and punctuation errors:

“MR. JOHN TACKETT
COFFEYVILLE, KANSAS

DEAR JOHN AND MRS. TACKETT:

I HAVE SECURED A RECENT COPY OF “BROADCASTING” AND HAVE READ SEVERAL NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ABOUT THE “BIGBUGS” FIGURINS ON CONSOLIDATINS ALL THE LITTLE BROADCASTING STATIONS UNDER ONE HEAD. IT GAVE THEIR NAMES AND AMONG THEM WAS KGGF OF COFFEYVILLE, KANSAS. THEY MENTION BROADCASTINF NOTHING BUT NOTED BOOKS AND PLAYS. I DO NOT KNOW IF OUR BOOK “WHEN THE DALTONS RODE” WOULD COME UNDER THAT HEAD OR NOT, BUT I WISH YOU WOULD KEEP YOUR EARS OPEN. WE MAY OWN A “BROADCASTING” STATION, IF THEY TRY TO “SNEAK” ANYTHING ON US. I FEEL BETTER AND THINK I AM GETTING BETTER. LET ME HEAR FROM YOU SOON AND REMEMBER ME TO ALL INQUIRING FRIENDS. MRS DALTON SAYS TO TELL THAT “BOLKVIC: TO WRITE SOON. REGARDS TO MRS TACKETT AND YOURSELF, I, AM,

SINCERELY YOURS

Emmett Dalton
4350 PRICE ST
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF

P.S.

I JUST RECEIVED AN INVITATION FROM THE ALLIED GOOD ROADS CONVENTION, TO BE HELD AT FT SMITH ARK, MAY 11TH 12 AND 13TH, THEY WANT ME TO COME AS THEIR GUESST.

E.D.”

The letter is accompanied by the original envelope which is postmarked “Los Angeles April 22, 1934”, with a canceled 3 cent Washington stamp, and the printed address and return address.

Emmett Dalton (b. 1871) was an American outlaw, train robber and member of the Dalton Gang in the American Old West. Emmett's older brothers briefly worked as US deputy marshals in Indian Territory and shared a position held by their older brother Frank Dalton after he was killed in the line of duty. They hired Emmett to serve as a guard at the jail at Fort Smith, in present-day Arkansas. The elder two started working for the Osage Nation to help them set up a police force but fled after being pursued for stealing horses. Shortly after, they began to conduct robberies of banks, stagecoaches, and trains. Emmett would later join them forming The Dalton Gang.

The Dalton Gang ended on October 5, 1892 when the crew attempted to rob two banks on the same day in Coffeyville, Kansas with the hope of making enough money to flee the country. Four of the gang were killed in a gunfight with law enforcement and townsmen. Emmett Dalton survived but was severely wounded. It is said that he had the chance to escape, but upon seeing his brother Bob hurt, he turned back to help him on his horse. It was then that he was injured, receiving more than 23 gunshot wounds. Upon capture, Emmett was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment in Lansing. Dalton, considered a model prisoner, was pardoned by the state governor and released after 14 years.

He would later move to Oklahoma and write two books including “When The Dalton’s Rode”, which would later be adapted into a movie of the same name directed by George Marshall and starring Randolph Scott, Kay Francis and Brian Donlevy. Universal announced the project in March 1940, nearly three years after the death of Dalton and began filming in May 1940 The script was written by Stuart Anthony and Lester Cole.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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