Near here on the night of September 18, 1877, Sam Bass and five companions carried out the first and greatest robbery of a Union Pacific train. After capturing station-master John Barnhart and destroying the telegraph, they forced Union Pacific express train No. 4 to halt and took a reported $60,000 in new $20 gold pieces and currency from the express car, while about a thousand dollars and a number of watches were taken from passengers. It is said that the accumulated loot from the Big Springs Robbery was divided beneath the Lone Tree then growing on the north side of the river, after which the robbers split into pairs and fled their pursuers. Joel Collins and Bill Heffridge were killed at Buffalo, Kansas; Jim Berry was killed near Mexico, Missouri; and Tom Nixon and Jack Davis were never located. After forming another band and robbing four trains in Texas, Sam Bass was killed by Texas Rangers at Round Rock, Texas, on July 21, 1878, his 27th birthday.