Billy Wardle History Nut

Monday, July 27, 2026

Butch Cassidy Bank Robbery Museum, Montpelier Idaho

This is an actual bank that was robbed by Butch Cassidy and has now been turned into a museum. The docent indicated it was Butch and Bob Meeks who went into the bank while Elzy Lay held the horses. Bob Meeks forgot to wear a face covering so was later identified and tried and sentenced to prison. Cassidy and Lay were not.

Summary of the robbery

artwork in progress

Butch's ghost robbing the bank

Fort Worth picture taken for fun, but allowed detectives to know what they looked like. Butch lower right, Sundance lower left. Ben Kilpatrick in middle, Will Carver on left, Kid Curry (Harvey Logan) on right. Photo lead to the demise of the Wild Bunch.

This number differs from bulletin across the street which says take was $16000

Meeks had a rough time after the hold up. In addition to his prison time, he also spent time in the State Hospital in Blackfoot. His detyeriorated mental condition eventually took his life.

New statue unveiled the week we were there. On corner of Heritage Park.

Laramie Depot Railroad Museum

There is plenty to see at the museum which in addition to housing a train station also housed a telegraph office. There is a replica of the golden spike in the telegraph office.

The National Oregon/California Trail Center

In Montpelier is the National Oregon/California Trail enter as the trail crossed the creek where the trail passed and the city was built. Seven miles before reaching town is the Big Hill. This is likely the most serious impediment up to this time on the trail. Going up was steep, but not too severe. However gong down was another story. Pioneer had to tie ropes to the wagons and around a tree to keep them from descending too fast. Included is a reenactment of the Oregon Trail trek, and a permanent art collection by Gary Stone depicting scenes of the Oregon Trail across Idaho.