Ben Kuhl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ben E. Kuhl
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Mugshot of Ben Kuhl, 1917
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| Born | 1884 Michigan
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| Died | 1945 (aged 60–61) Northern California
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | stage coach robber, mail robber, horse thief, baker, drifter |
| Known for | Robbery of a mail stage wagon |
| Height | 6 ft (183 cm) |
| Spouse(s) | Minnier |
| Children | 1 son |
| Partner(s) | Ed Beck, Billy McGraw |
| Details | |
| Date | December 5, 1916 6:30 PM |
| Country | United States |
| State(s) | Northern California, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon |
| Location(s) | Jarbidge |
| Target(s) | mail stage wagon |
| Killed | 1 |
| Weapons | .44 caliber |
Ben E. Kuhl (born in 1884) was an American man known for being the last stagecoach robber in the United States. In 1916, he was involved in robbing a mail wagon in Jarbidge, Nevada. This event became famous as "Staging a Robbery Without a Coach." This means the robbery happened even though there was no actual stagecoach involved.
Kuhl's trial, which started in September 1917, was very important. It was the first time that palm prints were used as evidence in a U.S. courtroom. The case also helped set a new rule: palm prints could be used just like fingerprints to identify people in criminal cases. This was a big step forward for forensic science!
Who Was Ben Kuhl?
Ben Kuhl was born in Michigan in 1884. As a young man, he sometimes got into trouble with the law. For example, he was jailed in Marysville, California in 1903. He also spent time in prison in Oregon for stealing horses.
In 1916, Kuhl arrived in Lander County, Nevada. He lived in a tent with two other men, Ed Beck and Billy McGraw. These men were drifters, meaning they traveled from place to place without a fixed home or job. Kuhl worked as a cook at a mine called OK Mine for about a month. He was later fired for trying to take over another miner's claim. He was also arrested for going onto private property without permission in Jarbidge.
The Last Stagecoach Robbery
On December 5, 1916, Ben Kuhl and his partners robbed a mail wagon in Jarbidge, Nevada. During the robbery, the driver of the mail wagon was killed. This made the crime very serious.
After the robbery, Kuhl was caught and put on trial. He was found guilty. His original punishment was changed to life in prison. He was sent to the Nevada State Prison in Carson City, Nevada. However, he was later paroled on May 7, 1945. Being paroled means he was allowed to leave prison early under certain conditions.
Kuhl's Later Life
Ben Kuhl was a tall, slender man, about 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall, with light blue eyes. He had a wife named Minnier, who was called "Minnie," and a son. They lived in Salt Lake City, Utah. After Kuhl was found guilty, his wife divorced him. His mother lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and his father lived in Walla Walla, Washington.
It is believed that Ben Kuhl died in northern California sometime in 1945. He may have passed away from a lung illness like pneumonia or tuberculosis. He likely died within a year of being released from prison.
