Dalton Days re-enactment commemorates Gregg County’s 150th anniversary

LONGVIEW, Texas (KLTV) - An annual re-enactment of an old west bank robbery, and the 150th birthday of an East Texas county, coincide with Saturday’s fun and festivities.

Members of the ‘old west cowboys association’ come back every April to re-enact ‘Dalton Days’, the 1894 robbery of Longview’s First National bank.

“It happened in their community, and their citizenry in 1894 stood up, just like they can now, it’s just a good event shows what happened and how good people stood up against bad people,” says re-enactor William O’Bryant.

A proclamation was read commemorating the county’s 150th birthday celebration.

“With all the people walking down main street all the vendors, all the kids having a big time, the petting zoo. it’s just a great time. it’s just Americana,” says Gregg county judge Bill Stoudt.

The re-enactment is the gunfight ‘Bill Dalton’ and his gang had with city law enforcement and citizens.

“The outlaws took their money. And they were tired of it,” O’Bryant says.

And distant family members of those involved came back today.

“George Buckingham, the saloon keeper, was my relative, and the first one to get killed in the shootout, and the first one to come out and defend his community. We’re very proud of that,” said Susan Jackson

The family even has George’s original sidearm.

“It was passed down from my great grandfather,” Susan says.

Along with music, food and kids activities, it made for all around good time.

“We’ve got a lot of people moving here now. great place to do business, great place to raise a family,” Stoudt says.

Stoudt says there are numerous events planned during the month of April to celebrate the county’s 150th birthday.

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