William Carver American criminal Date of Birth: 12.09.1868 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Family History
2. Cowboy and Outlaw Career
3. Joining the Wild Bunch
4. Romances and Rivalry
5. Union Pacific Robbery and Death
6. Legacy and Grave

Early Life and Family History

William Carver was born on September 12, 1868, in Coryell County, Texas. His father abandoned the family when William was only four months old, leaving his mother to care for him and his older sister. In 1872, William's mother remarried, and he gained six new siblings.

Cowboy and Outlaw Career

Carver worked as a cowboy for a time at the Half Circle Six Ranch in Tom Green County, Texas. He later ventured west to Wyoming and Utah, where he met Viana Byler in 1891 and married her. However, Viana died from fever less than six months after their wedding.

After his wife's death, Carver began his criminal career as a robber and bandit. He became romantically involved with Josie Bassett, sister of Ann Bassett, who were wealthy and educated ranch owners. He also had a relationship with Laura Bullion, his wife's niece.

Joining the Wild Bunch

By 1896, Carver had become associated with the Wild Bunch, a notorious outlaw gang led by Butch Cassidy. He provided the gang with horses, beef, and other supplies. After a failed robbery, Carver fled to Robbers' Roost, a secret hideout used by the Wild Bunch. It was there that he officially joined the gang.

Romances and Rivalry

Carver's relationship with Josie Bassett continued while he was with the Wild Bunch. However, he also became romantically involved with a prostitute named Lille Davis in 1900. This affair caused tensions with Laura Bullion, who left him for Ben Kilpatrick.

Union Pacific Robbery and Death

On August 29, 1900, Carver participated in the famous Union Pacific train robbery with Butch Cassidy, Kid Curry, and Sundance Kid. The gang looted over $30,000 and split up to evade pursuit. Carver traveled south and later took part in a train robbery on the Great Northern Railway near Wagner, Montana.

On April 2, 1901, Carver was shot and killed by deputy sheriffs in Sonora, Texas. He was suspected of murdering a local store owner, but his friend George Kilpatrick later cleared his name of involvement.

Legacy and Grave

Carver's gravestone bears only his date of death. Rumors persisted that an acquaintance in Sonora refused to acknowledge Carver's identity, but his fate remains unknown after this incident.