In 1878, the hills of eastern Stephens County became the setting for confrontations among lawmen, citizens, and members of a gang led by outlaw Sam Bass. With Texas Rangers on their trail, the gang took refuge near Caddo, resupplying from local stores and relying on family members and friends to protect their identities. After former leader Joel Collins was killed in Kansas in 1877 while the gang fled a successful robbery, Bass took over and used Collins' sister, Annie Collins Taylor, to help the gang hide out and restock. Annie and her husband, Perry King Taylor, owned the P.K. Taylor store in Caddo, where sightings of the gang were verified. Sightings of gang members in southeastern Stephens County were frequent in May 1878, as documented by local attorney William C. Veale. Sheriff Berry B. Meaders of Breckenridge was informed that the gang was in the area and quickly organized a posse, while local citizens also formed their own groups to bring the gang to justice. One such group was captured by the gang and taken to the P.K. Taylor store as hostages, where they were given alcohol and told stories of the gang's crimes and wealth. With the sheriff's posse in close pursuit, the gang retreated, split up, and continued to elude law enforcement. The gang's brief stay in Stephens County did not provide the long-term sanctuary they sought, and they were forced to reverse course. In July 1878, the gang was spotted planning a bank robbery in Round Rock, where Sam Bass was shot and captured; he died on July 21, 1878, ending the gang's criminal career.