Robert Dalton was born in 1867 in Cass County, Missouri, United States. He was the son of Louis Dalton of Irish stock, and Adaline Lee (Younger) Dalton, said to have been a half-sister of Colonel H. W. Younger, the father of the noted bandits. The family, then consisting of the parents, seven boys and one girl, moved to the Indian Territory and about 1882 to Coffeyville, Kansas.
In the fall of 1888 Robert was appointed a deputy United States marshal, for service in the Indian Territory, but after a short time gave up the place or was discharged.
His criminal career began with the killing of a rival in a love affair. With his brothers Grattan and Emmet he soon afterward organized a band of horse-thieves, which operated around Baxter Springs, Kansas. Toward the end of 1890 the three brothers went to California, where in the following February they held up a train on the Southern Pacific railroad at Alila, Tulare County. Grattan was captured and sentenced to twenty years’ confinement, but on the way to the penitentiary jumped from a moving train and escaped.
Back in their old range, now Oklahoma Territory, Robert, Emmet, and a recruit, Charley Bryant, robbed a train at Wharton, in May 1891. This daring exploit by three men brought to the authorities the realization that an exceptionally capable bandit leader was in the field, and a relentless pursuit was ordered. Bryant was captured and in an attempted escape was killed. The Daltons, however, could not be found, and for more than a year thereafter remained inactive. Territory, only twenty-six miles from the scene of the Wharton crime, and six weeks later a train at Adair, Oklahoma Territory.
Prompted partly by vainglory, in the hope of outdoing the record of the James brothers, and partly by the hope of a haul which would enable the band to disperse with a competence for each, Robert now directed a raid on the two banks at Coffeyville.
The attempt was made by five men on the morning of October 5. In a pitched battle with the town- folk Robert and Grattan Dalton and two others were killed and Emmet Dalton severely wounded and captured. The last-named served a long term in the penitentiary, and on his release became a law-abiding citizen.
Like most of the noted Western outlaws, Robert was of fair complexion, with blue eyes. He is described as “romanticlooking” and much given to big boots and revolvers prominently displayed. In personal habits he was temperate.
