Robbers Roost
In 1850, congress set about establishing the state boundaries for Texas, in 1850, congress set about establishing the state New Mexico, and Kansas. When they finished, they were shocked to find that they were left with a parcel of land that was unclaimed by any territory. it was an unusual situation ,and congress, unsure about how to handle it, declared it " neutral " or " no man's land" and promptly tried to forget about it. The result was a strip of land 167 miles long and nearly 35 miles wide without any kind of government or law. Quick to recognize the security offered by the lawless strip, outlaws, murderers, rapist, and thieves began to filter its boundaries.One such outlaw was Captain William "Bill" Coe. He rode into no man's land just before the end of the civil war and carved himself out a domain in the rugged black mesa country in the northwest corner of what is the present day Oklahoma panhandle.
With his gang, he robbed and pillaged for 100 miles in every direction. He rode into the craggy canyons; rocky and nearly treeless rolling flatlands took one look and began building his outlaw lair.
Three-quarters of a mile south from the point of black mesa lay a small jut of rocks he named robbers roost peak. This is where he and half-dozen specially- recruited men built his outlaw headquarters. They built a 16x36 foot house with stone walls 30 inches thick. It had one door and no windows. Instead, there were 27 portholes, 4 inches open to the outside and 18 to 20 inches on the inside. This made for a small target on the outside and plenty of room to maneuver a rifle on the inside. There were two large fireplaces inside, one on each end of the house. There was believed to be a fully stocked bar, a piano, and loose women from new Mexico and Colorado.
The Roost grew to around 50 outlaws, which Coe decided, was too crowded, and moved half the men across the river. Coe and his outlaws stole from the army, which made them hostile towards him and his gang. Something about not getting their payroll really did not set well with the army.
The army finally grew tired of Coe and his gang, brought a cannon in and fired on the fortress. The hideout took a direct hit and eleven of his men were captured and hung in the cottonwood trees on the nearby north Carrizo. Coe was at the roost at the time. He escaped and traveled along the Cimarron River to a place called Madison, New Mexico. Mrs. Emory, wife of Madison Emory, fed Coe and gave him a place to sleep in the bunkhouse. While Coe sleep, her 14 year-old son rode to catch up with the army and his stepfather. They returned, arrested Coe and brought him to pueblo, Colorado. Coe was hung that night still handcuffed and shackled.
The Roost has only the foundation left standing; still there is the feel of history in the air!!!!!
Graphics by Laurie McCannas 
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