This is probably one of the most unusual stories in western lore that I have run into. While assisting with some research for another fan western history and historic photos, he clued me in on a story about a western photographer by the name of "Cicero Grime." who had turned to a life of crime when he robbed a stagecoach in 1882. Grime is listed in the book "Biographies of Western Photographers," by Carl Mautz.
Grime was apparently the strangest pioneer photographer known, and he used the tagline, “White Buffalo Found Dead in the Photograph Gallery,” in his advertisements. Along with his brother, Lafayette, and accomplice Curtis B. Hawley robbed a Wells Fargo & Co. stage outside of Globe, Arizona, in August 1882. Cicero was nearly hanged but escaped the vigilantes and was later sentenced to 21 years in the Yuma Territorial Prison—bringing an end to his photography career.
"GRIME, CICERO"
"Active in Globe, 1880-81. Listed as “Photographer, Globe” and “Cicero Grime Photographic Gallery Globe City and Pinal Arizona.” He robbed a stagecoach and was nearly hanged, 1882; sentenced to Yuma Territorial Prison. Operated the California Art Gallery in Globe, ex-operator of I.C.U. Photograph Car in California. Made tintypes and stereographs."
- Carl Mautz
References
Newpaperarchive.com
Tombstone Epitaph August 26th, 1882
https://ernielb.blogspot.com/2010/11/laytonville-middletons-and-arizona.html?hl=en-US&m=1 (Article date November5, 2010 a fascinating read)
https://www.truewestmagazine.com/article/dr-jeremy-rowe/
https://www.truewestmagazine.com/author/jeremy-rowe/
Photo collector / Genealogist Alan Thatcher
