In 1878, the hills of eastern Stephens County became the setting for confrontations between lawmen, citizens and members of a gang led by outlaw Sam Bass (1851-1878). With Texas Rangers on their trail, the gang took refuge near the town of Caddo, resupplying from local stores and relying on family members and friends to protect their identities. The gang’s former leader, Joel Collins, was killed in Kansas in 1877 as they fled a successful robbery, and Sam Bass took over leadership, utilizing Collins’ sister, Annie Collins Taylor, to hide out and restock. Annie and her husband, Perry King Taylor, owned the P.K. Taylor Store in Caddo, the location of verified sightings of the Sam Bass Gang. Sightings of Bass gang members in southeastern Stephens County were frequent in May of 1878, as documented by local attorney William C. Veale (1833-1899). Sheriff Berry B. Meaders (1833-1895) of Breckenridge was informed of the gang being in the area and quickly organized a posse. At the same time, local citizens formed their own groups to bring the gang to justice. One such group was captured by the Sam Bass Gang and taken to the P.K. Taylor Store as hostages. They were treated to alcohol and stories of the gang’s crimes and wealth. With the sheriff’s posse in close pursuit, they retreated, split up and continued to elude law enforcement. The gang’s brief foray into Stephens County did not give them the long-term sanctuary they were seeking and the gang was forced to reverse course. In July 1878, the Bass Gang was spotted planning a bank robbery in Round Rock. Sam Bass was shot and captured, and died on July 21, 1878, ending the gang’s criminal career.