Walter Earl Durand, an American outlaw born on January 9, 1913, in Powell, Wyoming, became notorious after escaping from jail in Cody, Wyoming, where he was incarcerated for poaching elk. Following his escape on March 13, 1939, Durand killed two police officers who attempted to apprehend him at his home and subsequently eluded authorities during an 11-day manhunt in the Beartooth Mountains. The manhunt involved local law enforcement, the FBI, and the Wyoming National Guard, ultimately escalating to the use of artillery and aerial support. Durand's crime spree included a failed bank robbery in Powell, where he took hostages and shot at the building, resulting in one hostage's death. The standoff ended on March 24, 1939, when Durand, after being shot, took his own life inside the bank. The case remains a significant part of Wyoming's criminal history, drawing national media attention and inspiring various portrayals in film and music.
Walter Earl Durand is believed to have been motivated by a deep-seated distrust of authority, stemming from his views on the hunting license system, which he considered unjust. Some speculate that his skills as a mountain man and survivalist contributed to his ability to evade law enforcement during the extensive manhunt. Additionally, there are theories that his violent actions were not solely driven by self-preservation but also a desire to assert control over his circumstances and challenge the legal system he opposed.
The Saga of Earl Durand: Outlaw of the Tetons
In the rugged landscapes of Wyoming, amidst the sweeping vistas and untamed wilderness, the story of Earl Durand unfurls—a tale of defiance, survival, and violent confrontation. Walter Earl Durand, born on January 9, 1913, in Powell, Wyoming, was a man shaped by the land and the times, ultimately becoming one of America's most notorious outlaws.
A Mountain Man's Beginnings
Durand's life began on a humble farm in Powell, where he learned the ways of the land from his farmer parents. As he grew, Durand became deeply connected to the mountains of Wyoming, a connection that would define his life in the years following the Great Depression. Embracing the lifestyle of a mountain man, Durand lived off the land, hunting and foraging with skills honed over years spent in the wilderness.
However, this self-reliant existence soon led to trouble. Durand was arrested for poaching elk, a crime born of his refusal to adhere to the new hunting license regulations. He believed the land and its bounty were free for all to take, and he was not one to be constrained by governmental impositions.
The Escape and the First Bloodshed
The turning point in Durand's life came when he found himself locked up in a Cody, Wyoming jail. Seizing an opportunity, he took a deputy sheriff's gun and forced the officer to drive him into the countryside before making a bold escape back to his home. Freedom, however, came at a cost. When two police officers arrived at his house to take him back into custody, Durand met them with lethal resistance, killing both officers in the confrontation. Thus began his flight into the Beartooth Mountains, a vast and challenging terrain that would serve as his sanctuary.
The Manhunt
The brutal slayings triggered an extensive manhunt for Durand, initially led by a posse of ten men deputized by the prosecutor. Durand, however, proved a formidable adversary, shooting and killing two members of the posse that sought to capture him. As the stakes escalated, the pursuit grew to a massive scale, involving the FBI, sharpshooters, the Wyoming National Guard equipped with artillery from Fort Warren, and even civilians eager to aid in the capture. An airplane outfitted with tear gas and dynamite bombs was also deployed, all in an effort to corner the elusive outlaw.
For several days, Durand skillfully evaded his pursuers. His brazen defiance reached a climax when he carjacked a vehicle and drove to Powell, where he attempted a bank robbery. The scene quickly descended into chaos as Durand fired at the bank's windows and walls, creating a deafening symphony of gunfire. Inside, he took several hostages, an act that would result in further tragedy when a citizen, trying to act heroically, inadvertently killed one of the hostages while attempting to shoot Durand.
The Final Stand
As the drama reached its peak, a man named Tip Cox managed to shoot Durand. Wounded, Durand retreated back into the bank, where he faced the grim reality of his situation. With the law closing in and nowhere left to run, he chose to end his life with a shot to the neck, bringing his tumultuous saga to a violent conclusion on March 24, 1939.
Legacy and Cultural Representation
Durand's story captured the national imagination, earning him the moniker "Tarzan of the Tetons" in the press. His life and the dramatic events of the manhunt swiftly inspired the film "Wyoming Outlaw," a B movie starring John Wayne, released just three months after Durand's death. The tale of Earl Durand continued to resonate through the years, with Peter Haskell portraying him in the 1974 Hollywood biopic "The Legend of Earl Durand." Additionally, singer-songwriter Charlie Brown immortalized Durand’s exploits in "The Ballad of Earl Durand," featured on his 1967 album "Teton Tea Party" and later included in "The Best of Broadside 1962-1988."
Further Reading
For those intrigued by the details of Durand's life and the pursuit that followed, "The Last Eleven Days of Earl Durand" by Jerred Metz provides a comprehensive collection of interviews with participants and witnesses, offering deeper insights into the outlaw's final days.
Sources
For a more detailed account, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Earl Durand: Wikipedia URL.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Arrest for Poaching
Walter Earl Durand is arrested for poaching elk in Wyoming.
Jail Escape
Durand escapes from jail by taking a deputy's gun and forcing him to drive him away.
First Officers Killed
Durand shoots and kills two police officers who come to apprehend him at his home.
Manhunt Begins
A posse is formed to capture Durand, escalating into a large manhunt involving the FBI and National Guard.
Second Officers Killed
Durand kills two posse members during the ongoing manhunt.
Bank Robbery Attempt
Durand attempts to rob a bank in Powell, taking hostages and shooting at the building.
Durand's Death
After being shot, Durand kills himself inside the bank.
Media Coverage
The manhunt and Durand's actions receive widespread national media attention.
Walter Earl Durand, an American outlaw born on January 9, 1913, in Powell, Wyoming, became notorious after escaping from jail in Cody, Wyoming, where he was incarcerated for poaching elk. Following his escape on March 13, 1939, Durand killed two police officers who attempted to apprehend him at his home and subsequently eluded authorities during an 11-day manhunt in the Beartooth Mountains. The manhunt involved local law enforcement, the FBI, and the Wyoming National Guard, ultimately escalating to the use of artillery and aerial support. Durand's crime spree included a failed bank robbery in Powell, where he took hostages and shot at the building, resulting in one hostage's death. The standoff ended on March 24, 1939, when Durand, after being shot, took his own life inside the bank. The case remains a significant part of Wyoming's criminal history, drawing national media attention and inspiring various portrayals in film and music.
Walter Earl Durand is believed to have been motivated by a deep-seated distrust of authority, stemming from his views on the hunting license system, which he considered unjust. Some speculate that his skills as a mountain man and survivalist contributed to his ability to evade law enforcement during the extensive manhunt. Additionally, there are theories that his violent actions were not solely driven by self-preservation but also a desire to assert control over his circumstances and challenge the legal system he opposed.
The Saga of Earl Durand: Outlaw of the Tetons
In the rugged landscapes of Wyoming, amidst the sweeping vistas and untamed wilderness, the story of Earl Durand unfurls—a tale of defiance, survival, and violent confrontation. Walter Earl Durand, born on January 9, 1913, in Powell, Wyoming, was a man shaped by the land and the times, ultimately becoming one of America's most notorious outlaws.
A Mountain Man's Beginnings
Durand's life began on a humble farm in Powell, where he learned the ways of the land from his farmer parents. As he grew, Durand became deeply connected to the mountains of Wyoming, a connection that would define his life in the years following the Great Depression. Embracing the lifestyle of a mountain man, Durand lived off the land, hunting and foraging with skills honed over years spent in the wilderness.
However, this self-reliant existence soon led to trouble. Durand was arrested for poaching elk, a crime born of his refusal to adhere to the new hunting license regulations. He believed the land and its bounty were free for all to take, and he was not one to be constrained by governmental impositions.
The Escape and the First Bloodshed
The turning point in Durand's life came when he found himself locked up in a Cody, Wyoming jail. Seizing an opportunity, he took a deputy sheriff's gun and forced the officer to drive him into the countryside before making a bold escape back to his home. Freedom, however, came at a cost. When two police officers arrived at his house to take him back into custody, Durand met them with lethal resistance, killing both officers in the confrontation. Thus began his flight into the Beartooth Mountains, a vast and challenging terrain that would serve as his sanctuary.
The Manhunt
The brutal slayings triggered an extensive manhunt for Durand, initially led by a posse of ten men deputized by the prosecutor. Durand, however, proved a formidable adversary, shooting and killing two members of the posse that sought to capture him. As the stakes escalated, the pursuit grew to a massive scale, involving the FBI, sharpshooters, the Wyoming National Guard equipped with artillery from Fort Warren, and even civilians eager to aid in the capture. An airplane outfitted with tear gas and dynamite bombs was also deployed, all in an effort to corner the elusive outlaw.
For several days, Durand skillfully evaded his pursuers. His brazen defiance reached a climax when he carjacked a vehicle and drove to Powell, where he attempted a bank robbery. The scene quickly descended into chaos as Durand fired at the bank's windows and walls, creating a deafening symphony of gunfire. Inside, he took several hostages, an act that would result in further tragedy when a citizen, trying to act heroically, inadvertently killed one of the hostages while attempting to shoot Durand.
The Final Stand
As the drama reached its peak, a man named Tip Cox managed to shoot Durand. Wounded, Durand retreated back into the bank, where he faced the grim reality of his situation. With the law closing in and nowhere left to run, he chose to end his life with a shot to the neck, bringing his tumultuous saga to a violent conclusion on March 24, 1939.
Legacy and Cultural Representation
Durand's story captured the national imagination, earning him the moniker "Tarzan of the Tetons" in the press. His life and the dramatic events of the manhunt swiftly inspired the film "Wyoming Outlaw," a B movie starring John Wayne, released just three months after Durand's death. The tale of Earl Durand continued to resonate through the years, with Peter Haskell portraying him in the 1974 Hollywood biopic "The Legend of Earl Durand." Additionally, singer-songwriter Charlie Brown immortalized Durand’s exploits in "The Ballad of Earl Durand," featured on his 1967 album "Teton Tea Party" and later included in "The Best of Broadside 1962-1988."
Further Reading
For those intrigued by the details of Durand's life and the pursuit that followed, "The Last Eleven Days of Earl Durand" by Jerred Metz provides a comprehensive collection of interviews with participants and witnesses, offering deeper insights into the outlaw's final days.
Sources
For a more detailed account, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Earl Durand: Wikipedia URL.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Arrest for Poaching
Walter Earl Durand is arrested for poaching elk in Wyoming.
Jail Escape
Durand escapes from jail by taking a deputy's gun and forcing him to drive him away.
First Officers Killed
Durand shoots and kills two police officers who come to apprehend him at his home.
Manhunt Begins
A posse is formed to capture Durand, escalating into a large manhunt involving the FBI and National Guard.
Second Officers Killed
Durand kills two posse members during the ongoing manhunt.
Bank Robbery Attempt
Durand attempts to rob a bank in Powell, taking hostages and shooting at the building.
Durand's Death
After being shot, Durand kills himself inside the bank.
Media Coverage
The manhunt and Durand's actions receive widespread national media attention.