The Carbon City Outlaw Rattlesnake Pete
1893
Page by Bob Leathers
The Outlaw Pete Anderson, or "Rattlesnake" Pete as he was called, was a thief in the town of Carbon, Wyoming. He stole Coffee Johnson's unique and valuable coin collection and made his way to Denmark.
Peter Anderson, commonly called "Rattlesnake" Pete, who drove a delivery wagon for C. F. Johnson, a grocery man at Carbon, skipped for parts unknown a few days ago, taking with him a collection of old coins, which belonged to Mr. Johnson and were valued by him at about $5000.00, and which he had been years collecting. Anderson, it seems, slept in the store and Mr. Johnson slept in the second story of the building. Anderson secured the coins and departed during the night; the theft not being discovered until a couple of days after his departure. Sherriff Hanson was then notified, but is doubtful if the culprit will be caught, as he had plenty of time to get out of the country before a search was inaugurated. (Rawlins Republican, February 16, 1893)
Peter Anderson, better known as "Rattlesnake" Pete, who was a trusted employee of the Carbon merchant Mr. C.F. Johnson and who robbed his employer of a cabinet of valuable old coins and some money, was caught in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Rock Springs Miner, April 27, 1893)
Secretary of State Gresham has informed the Governor of this state that he has received advice from the Danish government in reference to the case of Peter Anderson, alias John Miller, who stole the coin collection of C.F. Johnson at Carbon some time ago. The prisoner is a subject of Denmark, and the government of that country prefers to punish him there to permitting him to come back to America for trial. The coins he stole are now on the way to their rightful owner, all having been recovered. Mr. Johnson expected to go to Denmark after the robber but was instructed not to do so and is now in Chicago, taking in the World's Fair. (Rawlins Republican, May 27, 1893)
Rattlesnake Pete got it in the neck over in Denmark. He was sentenced to ten years in the pen for stealing the valuable coin collection of Mr. Johnson of Carbon. It is learned that he is a habitual criminal and has done time in previous years in Denmark prisons. (Laramie Weekly Sentinel June 3, 1893)
Word has just been received from Copenhagen, Denmark that Pete Anderson, "Rattlesnake" Pete, who stole the valuable collection of coins from C.F. Johnson, the Carbon merchant, has just been sentenced to a term of ten years in prison for his crime. The collection of coins has been forwarded to Mr. Johnson by Denmark authorities. It will be remembered that the king of Denmark would not surrender "Rattlesnake" Pete to this government. The communication received by Secretary Gresham stated that they preferred to punish him there. It will be seen how well they have done their work. "Rattlesnake Pete" should have stayed here and taken a year or two in the Laramie penitentiary. (Laramie Boomerang, June 8, 1893)
The coins stolen by "Rattlesnake" Pete are again in the possession of their rightful owner, C.F. Johnson. Sherriff Hansen the latter part of last week received them and Mr. Johnson came up from Carbon Sunday to get them. The box in which they were shipped bore the address which brought them from the Old Country to Washington, as well as the address which brought them from Washington to Cheyenne. The address put on in Denmark was: "W. T. Greshouse, secretary of state, Dept. of state, Washington, D.C.," and the address brought them to Cheyenne was: "His Excellency, the Governor of Wyoming, J. E. O'Hosrne, Cheyenne, Wyo." (Rawlins Republican, June 22, 1893)
Mr. C.F. Johnson returned to Carbon Tuesday evening after an absence of five weeks, in the east, where he went in an endeavor to get "Rattlesnake" Pete returned to this country. He failed to do so but will have the coins restored to him. Mr. Johnson looks splendid and evidently took great care of himself while absent. (Rawlins Republican, July 1, 1893)
More at: Old Carbon
COFFEE JOHNSON (GERT MILLIKEN FROM GARY MILLIKEN)
C.F. "COFFEE" JOHNSON GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE in Carbon. COFFEE JOHNSON, WITH A BEARD, IS STANDING IN FRONT OF THE STORE. (GERT MILLIKEN FROM GARY MILLIKEN)
The interior of the store belonging to Ben Jose in 1887, which was later destroyed by a fire which began in the Scranton House. On the extreme left is visiting Dentist Thode of Rawlins. (UPCCEM, May 1945)
Scene behind the C. F. Coffee Johnson's General Store in Carbon (UPCCEM, May 1945)