Albert W. Bailey, a one-time Mesa County cattleman, was declared a brazen pirate by newspapers in 1908, although he played second fiddle to his brother, Francis.

In late 1908, Albert stood trial in New York for grand larceny after stealing a ship and thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise and steaming to Honduras. Francis Bailey had jumped ship in Honduras and abandoned his brother.

The events made headlines worldwide. One newspaper called it “the most colossal theft in the history of the Atlantic coast.” The Daily Sentinel devoted most of its front page to the story on Aug. 1, 1908, and revealed Albert Bailey’s involvement in western Colorado.

Bailey arrived in Mesa County from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, sometime in the 1890s, and with another brother, W.F. Bailey, purchased a ranch

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