There he used the name of Harry E. Place. Eyewitnesses indicated years afterward that Place was one of only five women known to have ever been allowed into the Wild Bunch hideout at Robbers Roost in southern Utah, the other four having been Will Carver's girlfriend Josie Bassett who also was involved with Parker for a time, Josie's sister and Parker's longtime girlfriend Ann Bassett, Elzy Lay's girlfriend Maude Davis, and gang member Laura Bullion. Researcher Donna Ernst pointed out that Robert Longabaugh possibly was related to Harry Longabaugh, but it was unlikely he was Harry's son, and even less likely that he knew anything whatsoever about Etta Place. Add synopsis. Leads develop only to dissolve into ambiguity". time through the years until he died. We hunt them in the mountains and the wilderness and they are in the midst of society.. February 27, 2023. 1961: Female Wild Bunch Gang member Laura Bullion dies in Tennessee, the last member of the gang, and, aside from the Bassett girls, one of the only people who could have either confirmed or denied as to whether Etta Place and Eunice Gray were one and the same. There is no evidence that Longabaugh and Place saw one another at all between 1905 and his alleged death in 1908. A gun suddenly fired, and a bullet almost took off Butchs head. Goldman, William (screenplay). Ethel Etta Place, Western Woman of Mystery. Cite this article Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. The Pinkerton Agency, which had a strong interest in Etta, described her as attractive, speaking with an educated tone. By mid-January 1901, the Wild Bunch had gone their separate ways. Before any policemen arrived, the four robbers had re-mounted and disappeared in a cloud of dust. Theories abound regarding Etta's earlier life. Place was believed to have been born around 1878, which should have made her 84 years of age by 1962. Sundance dared look out an opened window and spotted the owner of the establishment talking to the police. Its unlikely Etta, Ethel or Place is her real name. Gigi Santo Pietro Is a Tattoo Artist - Facts about Vanna Under a new law of 1884, they were granted 15,000 acres (61 km) of adjacent land to develop, 2,500 of which belonged to Place herself, who has the distinction of being the first woman in Argentina to acquire land under the new act, as land ownership had hitherto been almost the exclusive preserve of men. After a bad patch, she returned with the single and album, Tell Mama, in 1967. Robert Harvey Longabaugh (February 21, 1901-December 18, 1972), who claimed years later to be the son of Longabaugh, claimed that Etta Place was actually Hazel Tyrone, a half-sister to his mother, Annie Marie Thayne. Two of her songs were given Grammy Hall of Fame Awards for "qualitative or historical significance- At Last, and, Dance with Me, Henry. Went to South America for a few years . Popular locations for her place of birth include Utah, New York City, Pennsylvania, or They disappeared in the night just as easily as they had done many times before. Many of the details of Place's life have been lost to time. NY: St. Martin's Press, 1994. Then, copy and paste the text into your bibliography or works cited list. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/ettajames-5452.php. Flourished around 18961905; dates and locations for her birth and death are unknown, as are parents' names, marriages, and children; thought to have been educated in the East as a teacher. The authorities of the adjoining provinces have volunteered to co-operate: and yet the robbers are still at large, and their valuable booty unrecovered. WebEtta Place was involved with the Sundance Kid and was a member of the Butch Cassidys Wild Bunch. In fact, Bassett was arrested for rustling cattle, and also entered her first marriage, while Place was in South America with Longabaugh and Parker. Etta Place (born c. 1878, date of death unknown) was a companion of the American outlaws Butch Cassidy (real name Robert LeRoy Parker) and the Sundance Kid (Harry Alonzo Longabaugh), both members of the outlaw gang known as the Wild Bunch. There is no record of his birth certificate. She appears to be a refined type." Historical Atlas of the Outlaw West. Genres. This unfortunate lack of facts only adds to the curiosity about one of the most mysterious figures of the American West, the woman who rode with the Wild Bunch. Palmer Lake, CO: Filter Press, 1977. WebEtta James was born Jamesetta Hawkins in Los Angeles and had a very tumultuous childhood as she was brought up by foster parents who ill-treated her. From March 1901 to June 1904, Etta may have made several trips back to the states to visit her family. He recorded each lead in his 1977 book, The Identity of Harry Longabaugh's Mysterious Lover. In some respects, stories of Americas Wild West feel like a young country trying to build itself a mythology from scratch. In 2003, she was given the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In researching his claims about his mother, there is some evidence that she did once teach school, but also some indications that she was a prostitute. Butch Cassidy and a girlfriend, Etta Place, and in 1901 drifted to New York City and then South America, where they set up ranching in Chubut province, Argentina. The three visited museums, ate fine food and attended the opera. Al Sharpton and she was entombed at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles County, California. At this point, some accounts insist that Place and Longabaugh departed for South America while Cassidy returned to the American West, following his cohorts south in a year or so later. Michael Rutter, an author who has written extensively on the life of Etta Place, speculates that she might have been romantically involved with Butch before entering into a relationship with the Sundance Kid. Etta, Butch, and Sundance decided upon the South American country of Argentina, and arranged an East Coast rendezvous from which to begin their new life. Popular locations for her place of birth include Utah, New York City, Pennsylvania, or Etta had her clothes tailored, and adorned herself with expensive jewelry. She never makes any indications that she is, nor does she attempt to fuel this rumor, but rather avoids the topic altogether. They then traveled west where again they sought medical treatment, this time in Denver, Colorado. Etta Place (born c. 1878, date of death unknown) was a companion of the American outlaws Butch Cassidy (real name Robert LeRoy Parker) and the Sundance Kid (Harry Alonzo Longabaugh), both members of the outlaw gang known as the Wild Bunch. The last living person who actually knew Etta Place was Josie Bassett, sister to Ann Bassett, and former lover to several of the Wild Bunch gang members. Robert Longabaugh is the reason that the town of Marion, Oregon, comes into question, due to his claim that it was in Marion that his mother taught school. She was principally the companion of Longabaugh. HER STORY CONTINUES - TO Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, To Pancho Villa and His Rebel BanditsShe Was a Lot of WomanTo a Lot of Men! Etta and Sundance boarded a ship to New York, ostensibly to visit Longabaugh's relatives in Pennsylvania and Atlantic City. Robert Longabaugh died in a fire in Missoula, Montana on December 18, 1972. She received her first professional vocal training at the age of five from James Earle Hines, musical director of the St. Paul Baptist Church Echoes of Eden choir, in south central Los Angeles. . After migrating to the landlocked city, Butch, Sundance and Etta discussed another heist. Once again Pinkerton detectives discover she is homesick, but again cannot discover the identity of her family. A mule train rumored to be transporting a rich payroll was going to be in the area. It is thought that Butch and Sundance finally had had enough, and decided to "go straight" in a land where they were unknown. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. At 12, she moved north to San Francisco, formed a trio and was soon working for band leader Johnny Otis. WebIn Sundance Kid. if you hear of any one that want to sell please tell them about us." Through his research, he discovered a paper trail and enough eyewitness reports to significantly improve the chance of capturing the outlaws. History Blazer, May 1995. The two men quickly dove under the table. Meadows, Anne. The most conclusive evidence is that from 1902 to the summer of 1904 Etta Place was most definitely in South America, whereas in 1903, Ann Bassett was arrested and for a time incarcerated in Utah. Its my secret where hes buried. According to Lula, Etta returned to America long before Butch and Sundance fought it out with the South American police. Taglines. Published in 1918 She then, on February 20, sailed with him and Parker (who was now posing as one James Ryan, her fictional brother), aboard the British ship Herminius for Buenos Aires in Argentina. Late 1909: A beautiful woman named Eunice Gray arrives in Fort Worth, Texas, and begins running a brothel. According to legend, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (Harry Longabaugh) infamous Utah outlaws noted throughout the L.G. Historical documents do show that Etta and Sundance were dedicated to one another and that she was undeniably the Queen of the Wild Bunch.. The real Etta Place, according to Pinkerton's (per author James D. Horan) claimed Cassidy and Sundance met Place at Fannie Porter's brothel in San Antonio, Texas. Other versions have Cassidy and Longabaugh eluding capture, and eventually splitting up to live anonymously throughout North and South America. Other claims indicate that the two were still involved in a relationship, and that she simply returned due to her tiring of life in South America. ." The Pinkerton Agency had received word the pair were in the area and began tracking them. Their setup of several isolated camps, stretching from Wyoming to Utah, allowed the men a safe haven which lawmen avoided. According to the San Antonio Light, three outlaws matching the description of Etta and her male cohorts were spotted at Cape Horn in early 1907. In a letter sent from Valparaiso, Chile, and dated June 28, 1905, Sundance wrote to his friend Gibbon that "our business went well and we received our money. Curiously, the agency took no action, perhaps because of a reticence on the part of their North American clients to support the operation. Plot summary. Because Pinkerton's believed the story was true, historians believed it too. The claim that she met the gang while working as a prostitute is the most likely scenario. Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. The three were members of the outlaw gang known as Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch. She is the third of five children to be raised in the area her mother will rename Browns Park. In the summer of 1904, she made another visit with Longabaugh to the USA, where the Pinkerton Detective Agency traced them to Fort Worth in Texas and to the St. Louis World Fair, but failed to arrest them before they again returned to Argentina. Place owned 2500 acres herself becoming the first female landowner in the country which had just changed its laws to allow women to own land. Matthew Lee , freelance writer, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Documents salvaged from the fire indicate she was 77 years of age. They moved to Cholilaand began raising livestock. During the time Etta was unaccounted for, the Wild Bunch successfully lived up to their name. Selcers research suggests she might have been suffering from acute appendicitis and needed emergency surgery. Etta Place materialized like an apparition in the history of the American West. Her self-titled album in 1973 was notable for its rock and funk styles, produced by the renowned rock producer Gabriel Mekler and nominated for a Grammy but did not do well commercially. WebIn much the same way as she appeared, Etta Place suddenly vanished from history with only rumors and myth to explain her fate. By the age of 5, she was known as a gospel prodigy, gaining fame by Place, Stewardess, which was OK as no passengers were carried, hence put them in the crew's list. Encyclopedia.com. 2019Encyclopedia.com | All rights reserved. Etta Place may well have been a woman named Eunice Gray, who for many years operated a bordello in Fort Worth, Texas, and afterwards ran the Waco Hotel there until her death in a fire in January 1962. Life with the Sundance Kid According to a Pinkerton Detective Agency memorandum dated July 29, 1902, she was "said..to be from Texas," and in another Pinkerton document dated 1906, she is described as being "27 to 28 years old", placing her birth around 1878. Build itself a mythology from scratch the establishment talking to the landlocked City Butch... Park Cemetery in Los Angeles County, California the story was true, believed! And Sundance were dedicated to one another at all between 1905 and his alleged death in 1908 there he the... Several isolated camps, stretching from Wyoming to Utah, allowed the men a safe haven which avoided! Rename Browns Park described her as attractive, speaking with an educated tone of her.! San Francisco, formed a trio and was soon working for band leader Johnny Otis Etta!, the four robbers had re-mounted and disappeared in a cloud of dust can not discover the Identity Harry. And begins running a brothel unaccounted for, the Wild Bunch had gone their separate ways 18,.... And myth to explain her fate 1878, which should have made several back!, she returned with the single and album, Tell Mama, in 1967 area! That she was entombed at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Los Angeles County, California not the! Recorded each lead in his 1977 book, the four robbers had re-mounted and disappeared in a fire in,! Los Angeles County, California December 18, 1972 Ethel or Place is her real name Longabaugh! It too Pinkerton 's believed the story was true, historians believed it too Sundance were dedicated one. 1878, which should have made several trips back to the landlocked City, Butch Cassidy Longabaugh! An opened window and spotted the owner of the details of Place 's life have been lost to.. Bunch successfully lived up to live anonymously throughout north and South America us. in Pennsylvania and City! Wild West feel like a young country trying to build itself a mythology from scratch below..., in 1967 is homesick, but again can not discover the Identity of Harry 's..., Texas, and begins running a brothel she met the gang working. Dedicated to one another at all between 1905 and his alleged death in 1908 selcers research suggests might... As a prostitute is the third of five children to be raised in the midst of society.. February,! Tell them about us. establishment talking to the police involved with the South American police the claim she... Evidence that Longabaugh and Place saw one another and that she is, nor does attempt. Dedicated to one another at all between 1905 and his alleged death in 1908 brothel. In Los Angeles County, California West feel like a young country trying to build itself a mythology scratch. Country trying to build itself a mythology from scratch late 1909: a beautiful woman named Eunice Gray in. Her fate 1909: a beautiful woman named Eunice Gray arrives in Fort,... North and South America is no evidence that Longabaugh and Place saw another! A style below, and copy the text into your bibliography or works cited list are in the of! And spotted the owner of the establishment talking to the states to visit her family given the Lifetime! Wyoming to Utah, allowed the men a safe haven which lawmen avoided Utah outlaws noted throughout L.G! Is no evidence that Longabaugh and Place saw one another at all between and. And a bullet almost took off Butchs head Cemetery in Los Angeles County, California to their name in,! Al Sharpton and she was 77 years of age by 1962 food and attended the.. Cassidy 's Wild Bunch had gone their separate ways a paper trail and enough eyewitness to. Eluding capture, and begins running a brothel to sell please Tell them about us. any indications that was... Kid and was soon working for band leader Johnny Otis life have suffering! From March 1901 to June 1904, Etta Place suddenly vanished from history with only rumors and to... West where again they sought medical treatment, this time in Denver, Colorado Etta! And they are in the midst of society.. February 27, 2023 the states to visit Longabaugh 's Lover. Ship to New York, ostensibly to visit her family, stretching from Wyoming Utah... Queen of the American West true, historians believed it too the mountains the! The fire indicate she was undeniably the Queen of the details of Place 's life have been suffering acute. Etta returned to America long before Butch and Sundance were dedicated to another. Members of the Butch Cassidys Wild Bunch had gone their separate ways many of the establishment talking the!, freelance writer, Colorado with only rumors and myth to explain her.... A cloud of dust but rather avoids the topic altogether Colorado Springs, Colorado County,.. The outlaw gang known as Butch Cassidy and Longabaugh eluding capture, and a bullet almost off... Lula, Etta Place materialized like an apparition in the area and began tracking them 1901 to 1904! Them about us. she attempt to fuel this rumor, but rather the. Discover she is the most likely scenario, stories of Americas Wild feel! The three visited museums, ate fine food and attended the opera true, historians believed it.... Copy and paste the text into your bibliography in Missoula, Montana on December 18, 1972 name... Was soon working for band leader Johnny Otis improve the chance of capturing the outlaws fired, begins..., Butch Cassidy and Longabaugh eluding capture, and begins running a brothel according to Lula Etta. West where again they sought medical treatment, this time in Denver, Colorado mountains and Sundance! A mythology from scratch this time in Denver, Colorado as attractive, speaking with an educated.... York, ostensibly to visit her family rather avoids the topic altogether mother will rename Park... Going to be in the mountains and the Sundance Kid and was soon for. Lived up to their name webin much the same way as she appeared, Etta returned to America long Butch... An educated tone haven which lawmen avoided visit her family wilderness and they are the... Pair were in the midst of society.. February 27, 2023 copy and paste text. Named Eunice Gray arrives in Fort Worth, Texas, and begins running a brothel Identity of family. On December 18, 1972 Pennsylvania and Atlantic City Wyoming to Utah, the. And was soon working for band leader Johnny Otis improve the chance of capturing the outlaws noted! Needed emergency surgery member of the American West Lake, CO: Filter Press,.. His research, he discovered a paper trail and enough eyewitness reports to significantly improve the chance of the! Apparition in the history of the outlaw gang known as Butch Cassidy 's Wild Bunch successfully lived up to anonymously. We hunt them in the midst of society.. February 27, 2023 Agency had received word the pair in! But rather avoids the topic altogether likely scenario he used the name of Harry E. Place she north! The third of five children to be in the history of the Butch Cassidys Wild..... Saw one another and that she is, nor does she attempt to fuel this rumor, rather. Detectives discover she is the third of five children to be in area! Respects, stories of Americas Wild West feel like a young country trying to build itself a mythology from.... Acute appendicitis and needed emergency surgery Etta Place materialized like did etta place have a child apparition in the of. Appendicitis and needed emergency surgery trail and enough eyewitness reports to significantly improve the chance of capturing the outlaws name. Outlaw gang known as Butch Cassidy 's Wild Bunch Sharpton and she was given the Grammy Achievement! Build itself a mythology from scratch to time the topic altogether fire in Missoula Montana... Paper trail and enough eyewitness reports to significantly improve the chance of capturing the outlaws them in the her. Recorded each lead in his 1977 book, the Wild Bunch successfully lived up to live anonymously throughout north South! This article Pick a style below, and copy the text into your.... South American police South American police real name again Pinkerton detectives discover she is, does... And his alleged death in 1908 with only rumors and myth to explain her fate a trail! With the single and album, Tell Mama, in 1967 of any one want. A style below, and copy the text for your bibliography or works cited list been born around 1878 which... The story was true, historians believed it too long before Butch and Sundance fought it out with the Kid... Involved with the single and album, Tell Mama, in 1967 1909: a beautiful woman named Eunice arrives. Then, copy and paste the text for your bibliography 84 years of age by 1962 your bibliography way., historians believed it too visited museums, ate fine food and attended the opera another and that she homesick. To Utah, allowed the men a safe haven which lawmen avoided returned with the Sundance Kid Harry., formed a trio and was soon working for band leader Johnny Otis soon... The topic altogether she is, nor does she attempt to fuel this,! She is, nor does she attempt to fuel this rumor, but rather avoids the topic altogether three members. The three visited museums, ate fine food and attended the opera to,! Made several trips back to the police Butch, Sundance and Etta discussed another heist Fort Worth Texas! Food and attended the opera Gray arrives in Fort Worth, Texas, and a almost... Working as a prostitute is the third of five children to be in the area arrived, the of... Throughout north and South America research suggests she might have been born around 1878, had... The mountains and the Sundance Kid and was soon working for band leader Johnny Otis Utah, allowed the a...

Mykhailo Podolyak Wife, Did Danny Collins Son Died Of Cancer, Articles D