Henry Newton Brown & Ben Wheeler
Creator: Siringo, Charlie
Date: Between 1882 and 1884
This sepia colored post card shows the portraits of Henry Newton Brown and Ben Wheeler. Brown a former member of Billy the Kid's Gang, and Wheeler a former outlaw and friend of Brown's, found themselves on the other side of the law with their appointments as marshals of Caldwell, Kansas. In this south central Kansas community Brown and Wheeler, with their quick draw on the gun, turned the once lawless cow town into a safe and peaceful place to live. They were trusted as lawmen until the unthinkable happened on April 30, 1884, when Brown and Wheeler and two of their outlaw friends John Wesley and Billy Smith attempted to rob the Medicine Valley Bank. Although the robbery was unsuccessful the robbers were eventually apprehended and brought back to Medicine Lodge, Kansas. Their time in jail was brief when pandemonium erupted over their capture creating a diversion for escape. In a hail of bullets Henry Brown was shot dead while an injured Wheeler was captured and hung beside Wesley and Smith.

Law Enforcement, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Date: August 1957
This black and white photograph is looking east into the canyon in which marshal Henry Newton Brown of Caldwell, Kansas, and his fellow bank robbers attempted to make their escape. The group of outlaws were boxed in the canyon by authorities after robbing the Medicine Valley Bank, on April 30, 1884, in Medicine Lodge, Kansas. After two hours in the canyon, the men surrendered and were taken back to the Medicine Lodge jail. In a hail of bullets, Henry Newton Brown was shot dead while attempting to escape from jail. The fate for the remaining bank robbers was death by hanging.

Posse, Medicine Lodge, Kansas
Date: 1884
This black and white photograph shows the Medicine Lodge posse from Medicine Lodge, Kansas. This group of men were responsible for capturing marshal Henry Newton Brown of Caldwell, Kansas, and the would be robbers of the Medicine Valley Bank. The members are identified from the top row: Tom Doran, Barney O' Connor, Alex McKinney, Vernon Lytle. Middle row: Lee Bradley, Roland Clark, Wayne McKinney. Front row: George Friedly, and John Fleming.