Unmasking the Legend:

Dick Fellows, the notorious outlaw of the 19th century, has often been overshadowed by his reputation as a bumbling horseman. However, the real tale is about much more than just his horse-riding blunders.

Born as George Lyttle in Harlan County, Kentucky, in 1846, Dick’s life was marked by the trauma of the Civil War and a constant struggle with alcoholism. Despite all his flaws, Dick’s guts and cleverness set him apart as one of the boldest robbers in his time.

On the brink of stepping into the captivating narrative of Dick Fellows, we’re set to navigate his youthful days, scrutinize his ventures into law’s darker corridors and witness his final plunge from glory.

Early Life and Turbulent Times

George Lyttle, the future Dick Fellows, was born into a respectable family in Harlan County, Kentucky. His father, David Y. Lyttle, served as a prominent Clay County attorney and state senator.

However, George’s life took a tumultuous turn during the Civil War. In his youth, he found himself donning the Confederate uniform, marching under General Humphrey Marshall’s command.

His boots touched Kentucky soil more times than one could count, as they were involved in a myriad of military maneuvers there. Unfortunately, he was captured and spent the rest of the war in a northern prison.

The Journey West

After returning home in 1865, George struggled to find stability, as many war-scarred individuals did. While wrestling with his own demons in the form of alcohol addiction, he found himself working various odd jobs; simultaneously though, he was investing time into studying law.

Realizing the severity of his drinking problem, George decided to head west to California in 1867, hoping to conquer his demons before his family discovered his troubles. However, his drinking persisted, and he soon found himself in Los Angeles, penniless and desperate.

The Birth of Dick Fellows

In Los Angeles, George adopted the moniker Dick Fellows and turned to a life of crime. He successfully robbed several stagecoaches on the outskirts of town.

When the law closed in on him, he sought refuge in Castaic Creek, where he formed an unlikely alliance with an old man named Ed Clark. It was during this time that Dick’s horse-handling skills, or lack thereof, became apparent.

Nonetheless, his ineptitude with horses did not diminish his audacity as an outlaw.

“For Daring, He is the Equal of Any Outlaws”

Despite his equestrian failures, Dick Fellows was hailed by Wells Fargo’s ace detective, James B. Hume, as one of the boldest stage robbers of the age. Hume recognized Dick’s unparalleled nerve, both morally and physically, and his seemingly inexhaustible resourcefulness in times of peril.

Hume even acknowledged that Dick’s natural and acquired abilities could have made him successful in any honest profession. Despite his lack of equestrian finesse, the essence of Dick Fellows’ notorious outlaw reputation undeniably resonates, serving as his true identifier.

A Partnership and a Failed Investment

Dick Fellows, in an attempt to leave his life of crime behind, embarked on a venture suggested by his companion, Ed Clark. They invested their last dollar in purchasing 600 hogs and stocked up on supplies for the winter.

However, tragedy struck when a fire broke out, consuming their camp and destroying their provisions. Due to the unexpected change in circumstances, Dick found himself in a situation where he had no alternative but to revert back to his previous methods in order to restock their diminishing provisions.

 The San Fernando Stage Robbery

Dick Fellows set his sights on the San Fernando stage, which was due to pass through a specific location on its route. Concealing himself near a wash, Dick waited for the coach to approach.

As the stage came clattering along, he shouted for the driver to halt, successfully stopping the coach.  A passenger attempted to resist, firing a shot at Dick, but the outlaw outmaneuvered him.

With his nerves of steel, Dick disarmed the passenger and claimed his loot, amassing $350 in the process.

A Failed Second Attempt

Undeterred by his previous failures, Dick Fellows aimed to strike again. He positioned himself near the Cahuenga Grade, anticipating the arrival of another coach.

As darkness fell, the coach approached, and Dick called for it to stop. However, a passenger inside the coach attempted to draw his weapon, causing a commotion.

The coach quickly sped away, leaving Dick frustrated. Determined to overcome his string of failures, he pursued the coach, hoping to intercept it at a bend in the road.

A Desperate Escape and Capture

Dick’s pursuit of the coach ended in disaster when he fell from his horse, rendering himself unconscious. Upon regaining consciousness, he realized he had missed his opportunity yet again.

With a broken leg and a crushed foot, Dick pushed himself forward, using the stolen treasure box as a makeshift crutch. In agony and desperate for help, he stumbled upon a camp of Chinese railway workers.

He went there to ask for help, took an ax without permission, and created crutches to make it easier for him to run away.

Betrayal and Incarceration

Dick Fellows’ streak of good fortune came to an abrupt end when he made an ill-advised decision to pilfer another horse while trying to make his way back to safety. This brazen act did not go unnoticed by Mr.

Fountaine, who immediately became suspicious of Fellows’ motives.  In order to bring the outlaw to justice, Mr. Fountaine sought the assistance of Deputy Sheriff Mahurin, who was more than willing to help apprehend Fellows.

Dick’s escape plan involved cooperating with Mahurin, but he felt betrayed by the deputy, leading him to expose their arrangement to James B. Hume.  Mahurin was subsequently dismissed from the sheriff’s office, and Dick was captured and imprisoned.

 The Prison Years and Final Escape

Dick Fellows, now prisoner number 4378, was sent to San Quentin State Prison. Despite his reputation as a daring outlaw, his time in prison was uneventful. He managed to keep his nose clean and worked in the prison library.

In early April 1874, Dick was granted a pardon and immediately headed south, returning to his old stomping grounds. Regrettably, his struggle with alcohol addiction reemerged, propelling him back into the clutches of a nefarious crowd.

The Last Stand

In December 1875, Wells Fargo’s chief detective, James B. Hume, came across Dick Fellows in Caliente, California, where he was escorting a valuable shipment.  Recognizing the potential for a holdup, Dick and a fellow ex-convict planned to rob the coach.

Their plans hit a snag, thanks to a series of bad luck events: horse trouble and the failed attempt to crack open the stolen treasure chest. Dick Fellows’ audacious adventures came to an abrupt halt when he was apprehended by Deputy Sheriff Mahurin and subsequently handed a lengthy eight-year sentence in a state penitentiary.

Conclusion

Despite Dick Fellows’ notoriety as an inept equestrian, his real tale brims with boldness and ingenuity. Despite the shadows of his checkered past and inherent shortcomings, he remarkably carved an indelible niche in the annals of rogue folklore. From his early struggles in Kentucky to his daring stagecoach robberies, Dick Fellows left a mark on the Wild West.