Coyote Waits is a crime novel by American writer Tony Hillerman , the tenth in the Joe Leaphorn / Jim Chee Navajo Tribal Police series, first published in 1990.
110-414: It was adapted for television by PBS in 2003. Chee is slow to go to the aid of another officer, Nez, who radios that he has found the person doing spray-paint vandalism on rock formations. Chee gets burned pulling Nez from his burning police vehicle. Leaphorn is brought into the case by two women, one the niece of and the other a professor who interviews Ashie Pinto, the main suspect. Ambitious historians and
220-479: A controlling interest in the bank the previous year. The robbers stole around $ 21,000 (equivalent to $ 712,000 in 2023), after which they fled to the Robbers Roost , a remote hideout in the southeastern corner of Utah Territory. In 1890, Cassidy purchased a ranch on the outskirts of Dubois , Wyoming . This location was across the state from the notorious Hole-in-the-Wall , a natural geological formation, and
330-797: A protection racket among the local ranchers there. He was imprisoned in the Wyoming State Prison in Laramie , where he served eighteen months of a two-year sentence; he was released and pardoned in January 1896 by Governor William Alford Richards . He became involved briefly with Bassett's older sister Josie before returning to Ann. Cassidy associated with a wide circle of criminals, most notably his closest friend William Ellsworth "Elzy" Lay , Harvey "Kid Curry" Logan , Ben "The Tall Texan" Kilpatrick , Harry Tracy , Will "News" Carver , Laura Bullion and George "Flat Nose" Curry , who collectively became
440-644: A Vietnamese family resettled in the US after the Vietnam War are intertwined in the crimes committed, as Chee and Leaphorn work together, sometimes going to places considered taboo by Navajo culture. Officers Chee and Nez agree to meet at Red Rock trading post for a break from patrol. Chee hears Nez laughing on the radio about seeing the person who has been defacing local rock formations with paint, so takes his break. Chee realizes he should be with Nez. He passes one vehicle en route to finding Nez in his burning patrol car. Chee uses
550-590: A Welsh-Argentine who was friendly with Cassidy and enamored of Place, tipped them off. The trio then fled north to San Carlos de Bariloche , where they embarked on the steamer Condor across Nahuel Huapí Lake by the end of the year. Cassidy, Longabaugh, Place, and an unknown male associate robbed the Banco de la Nación Argentina branch in Villa Mercedes , San Luis Province on December 19, 450 miles (720 km) west of Buenos Aires, taking 12,000 pesos . They fled across
660-487: A Welsh-Argentine who was friendly with Cassidy and enamored of Place, tipped them off. The trio then fled north to San Carlos de Bariloche , where they embarked on the steamer Condor across Nahuel Huapí Lake by the end of the year. Cassidy, Longabaugh, Place, and an unknown male associate robbed the Banco de la Nación Argentina branch in Villa Mercedes , San Luis Province on December 19, 450 miles (720 km) west of Buenos Aires, taking 12,000 pesos . They fled across
770-466: A brief apprenticeship with a butcher in Rock Springs , Wyoming Territory , where he got his nickname (by the word "butcher", which morphed later into "Butch"), to which he soon added the last name Cassidy in honor of his old friend and mentor. Butch Cassidy's first criminal offense was minor. Around 1880 he journeyed to a clothier shop in another town but found it closed. He broke into the shop and stole
880-516: A copy of the photograph and began to use it for wanted posters. On July 3, 1901, Kid Curry and a group of men robbed a Great Northern train near Wagner, Montana , stealing more than $ 60,000 in cash (equivalent to $ 2,200,000 in 2023). The gang split up, but a posse led by Sheriff Elijah Briant caught up with News Carver and killed him. Kilpatrick was captured in St. Louis on November 5 at Josie Blakey's resort on Chestnut Street. In his pocket, they found
990-472: A copy of the photograph and began to use it for wanted posters. On July 3, 1901, Kid Curry and a group of men robbed a Great Northern train near Wagner, Montana , stealing more than $ 60,000 in cash (equivalent to $ 2,200,000 in 2023). The gang split up, but a posse led by Sheriff Elijah Briant caught up with News Carver and killed him. Kilpatrick was captured in St. Louis on November 5 at Josie Blakey's resort on Chestnut Street. In his pocket, they found
1100-667: A cowboy's life in Wyoming Territory and Montana Territory before returning to Telluride in 1887, where he met Matt Warner , the owner of a racehorse . Cassidy and Warner raced the horse at various events, dividing the winnings between them. Cassidy's first bank robbery took place on June 24, 1889, when he, Warner, and two of the McCarty brothers robbed the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride. Businessman L. L. Nunn had taken
1210-407: A fascinating setting make the novel a treat. His mysteries allow a reader to feel that they`re not just reading a good yarn but also learning a great deal about Native American culture." Butch Cassidy Robert LeRoy Parker (April 13, 1866 – November 7, 1908), better known as Butch Cassidy , was an American train and bank robber and the leader of a gang of criminal outlaws known as
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#17330931538871320-593: A frontier town in Bolivia's eastern savannah, still wanting to settle down as respectable ranchers. A courier was carrying the payroll for the Aramayo Franke and Cia Silver Mine on November 3, 1908, near the small mining town of San Vicente in southern Bolivia , when he was attacked by two masked American bandits believed to be Cassidy and Longabaugh. Witnesses saw them three days later in San Vicente, where they lodged in
1430-432: A frontier town in Bolivia's eastern savannah, still wanting to settle down as respectable ranchers. A courier was carrying the payroll for the Aramayo Franke and Cia Silver Mine on November 3, 1908, near the small mining town of San Vicente in southern Bolivia , when he was attacked by two masked American bandits believed to be Cassidy and Longabaugh. Witnesses saw them three days later in San Vicente, where they lodged in
1540-655: A key to a room at The Laclede Hotel. The next morning, they found Laura Bullion in the lobby, checking out with her luggage. In her valise was $ 8500 in unsigned banknotes from the Great Northern robbery. Curry killed Knoxville policemen William Dinwiddle and Robert Saylor in another shootout on December 13, then escaped. He returned to Montana, pursued by Pinkertons and other law enforcement officers, where he shot and killed rancher James Winters in retaliation for killing his brother Johnny years before. Cassidy and Longabaugh fled to New York City, feeling continuous pressure from
1650-598: A key to a room at The Laclede Hotel. The next morning, they found Laura Bullion in the lobby, checking out with her luggage. In her valise was $ 8500 in unsigned banknotes from the Great Northern robbery. Curry killed Knoxville policemen William Dinwiddle and Robert Saylor in another shootout on December 13, then escaped. He returned to Montana, pursued by Pinkertons and other law enforcement officers, where he shot and killed rancher James Winters in retaliation for killing his brother Johnny years before. Cassidy and Longabaugh fled to New York City, feeling continuous pressure from
1760-428: A large map exactly where he saw those three people. Chee drives back to Shiprock area to the site. He finds the mummified old corpses, sees a saddle and a saddlebag. The spot is home to many rattlesnakes, which Chee handles safely. After failing to get the saddlebag, he turns to see drag marks and a third, more recent corpse, Professor Tagert. Right next to him is Odell Redd, pointing Cassidy's old gun at Chee. Redd drove
1870-584: A letter from history professor Tagert at McGinnis's trading post, unknown to his niece. McGinnis read it and sent Pinto's reply agreeing to work. From Agent Kennedy, Leaphorn learns that the FBI investigation avoided talking to the owner of the vehicle that passed Jim Chee, because Huan Ji came to the US under the protection of the CIA. Arriving to talk with Ji, Leaphorn learns Ji was murdered. Ji left two messages on his wall: save Taka, and Lied to Chee. Leaphorn and Bourebonette find
1980-718: A new search was launched for Cassidy's grave, which zeroed in on a mine outside Goodsprings, Nevada . The dig found human remains, but they did not match the DNA provided. John McPhee 's Annals of the Former World repeats a story that Dr. Francis Smith told to geologist David Love in the 1930s. Smith stated that he had seen Cassidy, who told him that his face had been altered by a surgeon in Paris , and he showed Smith an old bullet wound that Smith recognized as work that he had done. Josie Bassett claimed in 1960 that Cassidy came to visit her in
2090-570: A new search was launched for Cassidy's grave, which zeroed in on a mine outside Goodsprings, Nevada . The dig found human remains, but they did not match the DNA provided. John McPhee 's Annals of the Former World repeats a story that Dr. Francis Smith told to geologist David Love in the 1930s. Smith stated that he had seen Cassidy, who told him that his face had been altered by a surgeon in Paris , and he showed Smith an old bullet wound that Smith recognized as work that he had done. Josie Bassett claimed in 1960 that Cassidy came to visit her in
2200-453: A pair of jeans and some pie, leaving an IOU promising to pay on his next visit. The clothier pressed charges, but Cassidy was acquitted by a jury. He continued to work on ranches until 1884, when he moved to Telluride , Colorado , ostensibly to seek work, but perhaps to deliver stolen horses to buyers. Cassidy led a cowboy's life in Wyoming Territory and Montana Territory before returning to Telluride in 1887, where he met Matt Warner ,
2310-412: A popular hideout for outlaw gangs, including Cassidy's, during the era. Cassidy's ranching was possibly a façade for clandestine activities, perhaps with Hole-in-the-Wall outlaws, as he was never financially successful at ranching. Cassidy's ranch used the "unmistakable brand " of "Reverse-E, Box, E". In early 1894, Cassidy became involved romantically with rancher and outlaw Ann Bassett . Her father
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#17330931538872420-510: A resemblance between the two men. In 2012, though, Pointer obtained a copy of the Wyoming Territorial Prison mugshot of William T. Wilcox, a previously unknown associate of Cassidy's. Observing the similarities between the two men, he revised his previous theory and concluded that Phillips was Wilcox, and not Cassidy. Butch Cassidy Robert LeRoy Parker (April 13, 1866 – November 7, 1908), better known as Butch Cassidy ,
2530-477: A robbery that earned them a great deal of notoriety and resulted in a massive manhunt . Many notable lawmen took part in the hunt but did not find them. Kid Curry and George Curry had a shootout with lawmen following the train robbery, killing Sheriff Joe Hazen. Tom Horn , a killer-for-hire employed by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency , was told by explosives expert Bill Speck about
2640-400: A robbery that earned them a great deal of notoriety and resulted in a massive manhunt . Many notable lawmen took part in the hunt but did not find them. Kid Curry and George Curry had a shootout with lawmen following the train robbery, killing Sheriff Joe Hazen. Tom Horn , a killer-for-hire employed by the Pinkerton National Detective Agency , was told by explosives expert Bill Speck about
2750-673: A shootout with the Bolivian Army in November 1908; the exact circumstances of their fate is unclear. Parker's life and death have been extensively dramatized in film , television and literature, and he remains one of the best-known icons of the "Wild West" mythos in modern times. Robert LeRoy Parker was born on April 13, 1866, in Beaver , Utah Territory , the first of thirteen children of English immigrants Maximillian Parker and Ann Campbell Gillies. The Parker and Gillies families had converted to
2860-572: A small boarding house owned by miner Bonifacio Casasola. Casasola became suspicious of them because they had a mule from the Aramayo Mine, identifiable from the company's brand. He notified a nearby telegraph officer, who notified the Abaroa cavalry regiment stationed nearby. The unit dispatched three soldiers under the command of Captain Justo Concha, and they notified the local authorities. The soldiers,
2970-413: A small boarding house owned by miner Bonifacio Casasola. Casasola became suspicious of them because they had a mule from the Aramayo Mine, identifiable from the company's brand. He notified a nearby telegraph officer, who notified the Abaroa cavalry regiment stationed nearby. The unit dispatched three soldiers under the command of Captain Justo Concha, and they notified the local authorities. The soldiers,
3080-426: A teenager and, while working on a dairy ranch, met cattle thief Mike Cassidy. He subsequently worked on several ranches, in addition to a brief apprenticeship with a butcher in Rock Springs , Wyoming Territory , where he got his nickname (by the word "butcher", which morphed later into "Butch"), to which he soon added the last name Cassidy in honor of his old friend and mentor. Butch Cassidy's first criminal offense
3190-483: A wide circle of criminals, most notably his closest friend William Ellsworth "Elzy" Lay , Harvey "Kid Curry" Logan , Ben "The Tall Texan" Kilpatrick , Harry Tracy , Will "News" Carver , Laura Bullion and George "Flat Nose" Curry , who collectively became the so-called " Wild Bunch ". The gang assembled sometime after Cassidy's release from prison in 1896 and took its name from the Doolin–Dalton gang , also known as
3300-630: Is a major figure in Navajo culture and in Navajo mythology. He is a trickster, but if one has done wrong, coyote is always there, waiting. The novel was adapted for television in November 2003 and was directed by Jan Egleson. It aired as part of PBS 's Mystery! series. The film starred Adam Beach as Chee and Wes Studi as Leaphorn. It also featured Jimmy Herman , Alex Rice , Graham Greene , Sheila Tousey , Keith Carradine and Gary Farmer . The filming locations were in New Mexico . Coyote Waits received
3410-550: Is a natural storyteller, a word man who knows the mystery novel and the fun of both his stories and their telling. He expands the boundaries of his special form - the detective Western - and shares with readers the power of words in the ratiocinations of his detectives and in the Native American culture about which he writes. Gish finds several dramatic climaxes in this novel: How Chee and Leaphorn, from their respective professional and personal motives and points of view, arrive at
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3520-691: Is also recounted by W. C. Jameson in Butch Cassidy: Beyond the Grave , referencing the 1975 book Betenson co-authored with Dora Flack, Butch Cassidy, My Brother . On an episode of the series Mission Declassified (2019), investigative journalist Christof Putzel met with local researcher Marilyn Grace at Cassidy's childhood log cabin on the Parker ranch in Circleville to talk about the alleged burial of Cassidy there on July 20, 1937. Grace explains that Cassidy
3630-477: Is also recounted by W. C. Jameson in Butch Cassidy: Beyond the Grave , referencing the 1975 book Betenson co-authored with Dora Flack, Butch Cassidy, My Brother . On an episode of the series Mission Declassified (2019), investigative journalist Christof Putzel met with local researcher Marilyn Grace at Cassidy's childhood log cabin on the Parker ranch in Circleville to talk about the alleged burial of Cassidy there on July 20, 1937. Grace explains that Cassidy
3740-437: Is an attorney for defendants in federal trials and Ashie Pinto is her client, though he tells her nothing about what happened. Chee promises to quit once the trial is over, disgusted at his failure to assist Nez immediately. He learns of Pinto's links to Professor Tagert and that Tagert's research interest is Butch Cassidy 's true final resting place. Tapes made by Pinto tell a story indicating Cassidy and his fellow bandit died on
3850-488: Is your brother Robert LeRoy." She stated that Cassidy was full of regrets, particularly at having disappointed his mother. She quoted him lamenting, "all I did is make a wreck of my life." Betenson claims that Cassidy lived out his years in "the Northwest" and died in 1937 and that the family had agreed not to disclose his final resting place, since "they had chased him all his life, and now he's going to rest in peace." This story
3960-436: Is your brother Robert LeRoy." She stated that Cassidy was full of regrets, particularly at having disappointed his mother. She quoted him lamenting, "all I did is make a wreck of my life." Betenson claims that Cassidy lived out his years in "the Northwest" and died in 1937 and that the family had agreed not to disclose his final resting place, since "they had chased him all his life, and now he's going to rest in peace." This story
4070-557: The Nero Award in 1991. The award was last given in 1987, until this novel merited recognition in 1991. Writing in The New York Times , Robert Gish says of Tony Hillerman's writing: The growing number of readers who await Tony Hillerman's latest Navajo mystery novel are always rewarded. And the wait is never long; the series now approaches a dozen volumes. In his Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee mysteries, Mr. Hillerman demonstrates that he
4180-460: The Robbers Roost , a remote hideout in the southeastern corner of Utah Territory. In 1890, Cassidy purchased a ranch on the outskirts of Dubois , Wyoming . This location was across the state from the notorious Hole-in-the-Wall , a natural geological formation, and a popular hideout for outlaw gangs, including Cassidy's, during the era. Cassidy's ranching was possibly a façade for clandestine activities, perhaps with Hole-in-the-Wall outlaws, as he
4290-585: The University of New Mexico campus and hospital , and located to the east of both Shiprock and Window Rock. From Shiprock to Albuquerque, a trip often covered by Jim Chee in the novel, it is about 270 miles distance on the ground. Professor Bourebonette is based in Flagstaff, Arizona , about 188 miles west of Window Rock. The Short Mountain Trading Post is fictional, but meant to serve the far north and western part of
4400-408: The " Sundance Kid ", and Longabaugh's girlfriend Etta Place . The trio traveled first to Argentina and then to Bolivia, where Parker and Longabaugh are believed to have been killed in a shootout with the Bolivian Army in November 1908; the exact circumstances of their fate is unclear. Parker's life and death have been extensively dramatized in film , television and literature, and he remains one of
4510-690: The " Wild Bunch " in the Old West . Parker engaged in criminal activity for more than a decade at the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century, but the pressures of being pursued by law enforcement, notably the Pinkerton detective agency , forced him to flee the United States. He fled with his accomplice Harry Longabaugh, known as the " Sundance Kid ", and Longabaugh's girlfriend Etta Place . The trio traveled first to Argentina and then to Bolivia, where Parker and Longabaugh are believed to have been killed in
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4620-415: The "Wild Bunch". On August 13, 1896, Cassidy, Lay, Logan and Bob Meeks robbed the bank at Montpelier , Idaho , escaping with roughly $ 7,000. Cassidy recruited Harry Alonzo Longabaugh , also known as the "Sundance Kid", into the gang soon after. Bassett, Lay and Lay's girlfriend Maude Davis all joined Cassidy at Robbers Roost in early 1897. The four hid there until early April, when Lay and Cassidy sent
4730-827: The 1920s "after returning from South America," and that he "died in Johnnie, Nevada about 15 years ago." Residents in Cassidy's hometown of Circleville, Utah, claimed in an interview that he worked in Nevada until his death. Western historian Charles Kelly observed in his 1938 book The Outlaw Trail: A History of Butch Cassidy and His Wild Bunch , "it seems exceedingly strange" that Cassidy never returned to Circleville, Utah, to visit his father if he were still alive. According to his great nephew, Bill Betenson, he did return to Utah to visit his family in Circleville many times. Bruce Chatwin, in his classic travel book In Patagonia , says, "I went to see
4840-678: The 1920s "after returning from South America," and that he "died in Johnnie, Nevada about 15 years ago." Residents in Cassidy's hometown of Circleville, Utah, claimed in an interview that he worked in Nevada until his death. Western historian Charles Kelly observed in his 1938 book The Outlaw Trail: A History of Butch Cassidy and His Wild Bunch , "it seems exceedingly strange" that Cassidy never returned to Circleville, Utah, to visit his father if he were still alive. According to his great nephew, Bill Betenson, he did return to Utah to visit his family in Circleville many times. Bruce Chatwin, in his classic travel book In Patagonia , says, "I went to see
4950-564: The 1920s in a series of interviews with residents of Baggs, Wyoming , a popular destination for the Wild Bunch during their raiding years. Residents claimed that Cassidy had visited for several days in 1924, driving a Ford Model T . Lula Parker-Betenson stated that he returned to the family home in Circleville during this period, and picked up his brother Mark in a Ford, then drove to their father's home, where she also lived. Her father allegedly said to her, "I'll bet you don't know who this is. This
5060-511: The 1920s in a series of interviews with residents of Baggs, Wyoming , a popular destination for the Wild Bunch during their raiding years. Residents claimed that Cassidy had visited for several days in 1924, driving a Ford Model T . Lula Parker-Betenson stated that he returned to the family home in Circleville during this period, and picked up his brother Mark in a Ford, then drove to their father's home, where she also lived. Her father allegedly said to her, "I'll bet you don't know who this is. This
5170-633: The Andes to reach the safety of Chile. On June 30, 1906, Place decided that she had enough of life on the run, so Longabaugh took her back to San Francisco . Cassidy obtained honest work under the alias James "Santiago" Maxwell at the Concordia Tin Mine in the Santa Vera Cruz range of the central Bolivian Andes, where Longabaugh joined him upon his return. Their main duties included guarding the company payroll. The two traveled to Santa Cruz in late 1907,
5280-466: The Andes to reach the safety of Chile. On June 30, 1906, Place decided that she had enough of life on the run, so Longabaugh took her back to San Francisco . Cassidy obtained honest work under the alias James "Santiago" Maxwell at the Concordia Tin Mine in the Santa Vera Cruz range of the central Bolivian Andes, where Longabaugh joined him upon his return. Their main duties included guarding the company payroll. The two traveled to Santa Cruz in late 1907,
5390-812: The Banco de Tarapacá y Argentino in Río Gallegos on February 14, 1905, 700 miles (1,100 km) south of Cholila near the Strait of Magellan , and the pair vanished north across the Patagonian grasslands. Cassidy and Longabaugh sold the Cholila ranch on May 1, fearing that law enforcement had located them. The Pinkerton Agency had known their location for some time, but the snow and the hard winter of Patagonia had prevented their agent Frank Dimaio from making an arrest. Governor Julio Lezana issued an arrest warrant, but Sheriff Edward Humphreys,
5500-559: The Banco de Tarapacá y Argentino in Río Gallegos on February 14, 1905, 700 miles (1,100 km) south of Cholila near the Strait of Magellan , and the pair vanished north across the Patagonian grasslands. Cassidy and Longabaugh sold the Cholila ranch on May 1, fearing that law enforcement had located them. The Pinkerton Agency had known their location for some time, but the snow and the hard winter of Patagonia had prevented their agent Frank Dimaio from making an arrest. Governor Julio Lezana issued an arrest warrant, but Sheriff Edward Humphreys,
5610-734: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints while still living in the United Kingdom . Maximillian Parker was twelve years old when his family arrived in Salt Lake City in 1856 as Mormon pioneers . Ann Gillies was born and lived in Sunderland in northeast England before immigrating to the U.S. with her family in 1859 at age 14. The couple were married in July 1865. Robert Parker grew up on his parents' ranch near Circleville . Parker fled his home as
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#17330931538875720-640: The Hazen shooting. Pinkerton detective Charlie Siringo was then assigned the task of capturing the outlaws. He became friends with Elfie Landusky, who was using the last name Curry after becoming pregnant by Kid Curry's brother Lonny Logan, and Siringo intended to locate the gang through her. On July 11, 1899, Lay and others were involved in a Colorado and Southern Railroad train robbery near Folsom, New Mexico , which Cassidy might have planned and personally directed. A shootout ensued with local law enforcement, during which Lay killed Sheriff Edward Farr and Henry Love; Lay
5830-592: The Hazen shooting. Pinkerton detective Charlie Siringo was then assigned the task of capturing the outlaws. He became friends with Elfie Landusky, who was using the last name Curry after becoming pregnant by Kid Curry's brother Lonny Logan, and Siringo intended to locate the gang through her. On July 11, 1899, Lay and others were involved in a Colorado and Southern Railroad train robbery near Folsom, New Mexico , which Cassidy might have planned and personally directed. A shootout ensued with local law enforcement, during which Lay killed Sheriff Edward Farr and Henry Love; Lay
5940-567: The Union Pacific Railroad to drop their criminal complaints against him, and Union Pacific chairman E. H. Harriman attempted to meet with Cassidy through Warner. On August 29, 1900, Cassidy, Longabaugh, and others robbed Union Pacific train No. 3 near Tipton, Wyoming, breaking Cassidy's earlier promise to the governor of Wyoming and ending any chance for amnesty. On February 28, 1900, lawmen attempted to arrest Lonny Logan at his aunt's home. Lonny
6050-457: The Union Pacific Railroad to drop their criminal complaints against him, and Union Pacific chairman E. H. Harriman attempted to meet with Cassidy through Warner. On August 29, 1900, Cassidy, Longabaugh, and others robbed Union Pacific train No. 3 near Tipton, Wyoming, breaking Cassidy's earlier promise to the governor of Wyoming and ending any chance for amnesty. On February 28, 1900, lawmen attempted to arrest Lonny Logan at his aunt's home. Lonny
6160-667: The Wall and Wild Bunch gangs were real bandits in the US West in the late 19th and early 20th century. It is thought that the last two (Cassidy and his friend The Sundance Kid) died in Bolivia in 1908, having run from the US for so much law breaking across the West. The novel uses a different story of his ending, dying after a train robbery in Utah in 1909 based on stories told to the old Navajo Hosteen Ashie Pinto in his younger days, with details so precise he can lead
6270-529: The ambitious history professor to their desert-baked corpses. The Navajo story centered on the Navajo clan who encountered the men, who chose to enter an area considered taboo, full of Navajo witches and skinwalkers , (also discussed in Hillerman's earlier novel Skinwalkers ) and needed cleansing ceremonies after the white men were found dead. The novel also refers to the Vietnam War , which ended in 1975. The US
6380-409: The best-known icons of the "Wild West" mythos in modern times. Robert LeRoy Parker was born on April 13, 1866, in Beaver , Utah Territory , the first of thirteen children of English immigrants Maximillian Parker and Ann Campbell Gillies. The Parker and Gillies families had converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints while still living in the United Kingdom . Maximillian Parker
6490-451: The cabin in an attempt to locate remains and led to a positive indication. The underside of the cabin was later dug and two bones discovered, identified as a human spinal bone and a toe bone. Putzel had forensic scientist Suzanna Ryan at Pure Gold Forensics in Redlands, California , conduct a DNA test on the bones. Ryan confirmed they were human, but lacked enough DNA for a complete profile. As
6600-401: The cabin in an attempt to locate remains and led to a positive indication. The underside of the cabin was later dug and two bones discovered, identified as a human spinal bone and a toe bone. Putzel had forensic scientist Suzanna Ryan at Pure Gold Forensics in Redlands, California , conduct a DNA test on the bones. Ryan confirmed they were human, but lacked enough DNA for a complete profile. As
6710-610: The detection puzzle." Mark Schorr writing in the Chicago Tribune notes the plot elements of Coyote Waits : the legend of Coyote, the drunken shaman with the fantastic memory for tribal lore, the Southeast Asian teacher with links to the CIA in the Vietnam era, the FBI, competing researchers in academia, and Butch Cassidy. He says that "The climax has a touch of deus ex machina , but Hillerman's strong suit of compelling characters in
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#17330931538876820-675: The east bank of the Rio Blanco near Cholila , just east of the Andes in Chubut . Bruce Chatwin 's In Patagonia references a letter Butch wrote from Cholila to Elza Lay's mother-in-law in Utah, dated August 10, 1902. The letter cites "our little family of 3" living in a 4 room house with 300 cattle, 1500 sheep, and 28 horses. Chatwin states the letter resides with the Utah State Historical Society . Two English-speaking bandits held up
6930-456: The east bank of the Rio Blanco near Cholila , just east of the Andes in Chubut . Bruce Chatwin 's In Patagonia references a letter Butch wrote from Cholila to Elza Lay's mother-in-law in Utah, dated August 10, 1902. The letter cites "our little family of 3" living in a 4 room house with 300 cattle, 1500 sheep, and 28 horses. Chatwin states the letter resides with the Utah State Historical Society . Two English-speaking bandits held up
7040-445: The effect of whiskey on him, and confesses to the murders of Tagert and Nez. He makes a plea that all whiskey be poured away. Redd is found dead in his car by the side of the road. Janet Pete sees Chee differently and hugs him in public. Leaphorn, cleaning all paperwork off his desk, is ready to take a vacation trip, and he calls Professor Bourebonette to ask if she would accompany him on a trip to China. Butch Cassidy and his Hole in
7150-405: The fire extinguisher and then pulls Nez out of the still-burning car. Chee is severely burned and Nez is dead from a gunshot, as well as burned. Chee finds Hosteen Ashie Pinto walking on the road, holding an expensive bottle of brandy, and a gun recently shot; he is drunk and says he is ashamed, in Navajo. Chee arrests him. Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn is pulled into this case by two women: Mrs. Keeyani,
7260-553: The grave of a German miner named Gustav Zimmer. American forensic anthropologist Clyde Snow and his researchers attempted to find the graves in 1991, but they did not find any remains with DNA matching the living relatives of Cassidy and Longabaugh. Snow's search formed the basis of the British documentary Wanted - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ( Channel 4 , April 22, 1993; later screened on Nova , October 12, 1993 ). In 2017,
7370-448: The grave of a German miner named Gustav Zimmer. American forensic anthropologist Clyde Snow and his researchers attempted to find the graves in 1991, but they did not find any remains with DNA matching the living relatives of Cassidy and Longabaugh. Snow's search formed the basis of the British documentary Wanted - Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid ( Channel 4 , April 22, 1993; later screened on Nova , October 12, 1993 ). In 2017,
7480-440: The mayor heard a man scream three times inside the house, then two successive shots were fired from inside the house. The authorities entered the house the next morning, where they found two bodies with numerous bullet wounds to the arms and legs. The man assumed to be Longabaugh had a bullet wound in the forehead, and the man thought to be Cassidy had a bullet hole in the temple. The local police report speculated that judging from
7590-440: The mayor heard a man scream three times inside the house, then two successive shots were fired from inside the house. The authorities entered the house the next morning, where they found two bodies with numerous bullet wounds to the arms and legs. The man assumed to be Longabaugh had a bullet wound in the forehead, and the man thought to be Cassidy had a bullet hole in the temple. The local police report speculated that judging from
7700-421: The nation's most convincing and authentic interpreters of Navajo culture, as well as one of our best and most innovative modern mystery writers. Mr. Hillerman's Navajos are at once a part of their own tribal heritage and also well assimilated into the dominant culture. An extra payoff of Coyote Waits is an ever so light-handed but utterly convincing advocacy of Native American culture and an enchanting depiction of
7810-427: The niece of Ashie Pinto and a clan relative to Leaphorn, and Professor Louisa Bourebonette, who works with Pinto for her scholarly research and an upcoming book. Pinto is a crystal gazer and recalls stories in detail. They are sure Ashie Pinto is not guilty. Mrs. Keeyani describes her uncle's struggle with whiskey, which long ago led him to murder a man and a vow to stop drinking. Leaphorn learns that money-short Pinto got
7920-413: The numerous law enforcement agencies pursuing them and seeing their gang falling apart. They departed from there to Buenos Aires , Argentina , aboard the British steamer Herminius on February 20, 1901, along with Longabaugh's companion Etta Place . Cassidy posed as James Ryan, Place's fictitious brother. They settled in a four-room log cabin on a 15,000-acre (61 km ) ranch that they purchased on
8030-413: The numerous law enforcement agencies pursuing them and seeing their gang falling apart. They departed from there to Buenos Aires , Argentina , aboard the British steamer Herminius on February 20, 1901, along with Longabaugh's companion Etta Place . Cassidy posed as James Ryan, Place's fictitious brother. They settled in a four-room log cabin on a 15,000-acre (61 km ) ranch that they purchased on
8140-464: The owner of a racehorse . Cassidy and Warner raced the horse at various events, dividing the winnings between them. Cassidy's first bank robbery took place on June 24, 1889, when he, Warner, and two of the McCarty brothers robbed the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride. Businessman L. L. Nunn had taken a controlling interest in the bank the previous year. The robbers stole around $ 21,000 (equivalent to $ 712,000 in 2023), after which they fled to
8250-414: The perturbed rattlesnake bites him on the neck. Chee leaves, as Redd still holds the pistol. Redd reaches his vehicle and drives off. Chee's vehicle was disabled by Redd, so Chee walks to Red Rock trading post. He then flies to Albuquerque for the court case opening that morning. Before Chee can reach Janet Pete with what he learned overnight, Ashie Pinto makes his statement before judge and jury. He describes
8360-501: The place in the photographs in the darkroom at the Ji home. Going to the vantage point of the photos, they see that the paint vandalism was the teenage son Taka's message to the girl he loves: 'I love Jen' is visible from her home. Jim Chee was seriously burned, and is only recently released from the hospital in Albuquerque. Janet Pete, back from Washington D.C., visits Chee at the burn unit. She
8470-437: The plotting in this novel to Talking God , the prior novel in the series: "But remember that invocation of fate is the solution to the puzzle, not the novel's plot. Coyote Waits may be slighter and less interestingly developed than Talking God , and it is perhaps less satisfying to read because it becomes a demonstration of coincidence rather than dependent order. In plot, however, the two novels are closely related examples of
8580-455: The police chief, the local mayor, and some of his officials all surrounded the lodging house on the evening of November 6, intending to arrest the Aramayo robbers. As they approached the house, the bandits opened fire, killing one of the soldiers and wounding another and starting a gunfight which lasted for several hours into the evening and the night. At around 2:00 am, during a lull in the fighting,
8690-405: The police chief, the local mayor, and some of his officials all surrounded the lodging house on the evening of November 6, intending to arrest the Aramayo robbers. As they approached the house, the bandits opened fire, killing one of the soldiers and wounding another and starting a gunfight which lasted for several hours into the evening and the night. At around 2:00 am, during a lull in the fighting,
8800-481: The policework here with starkly memorable landscapes and firm nuances of character — like Jim Chee's ever-changing friendship with Janet Pete, the Navajo-born, city-trained lawyer who (by forgivable coincidence) winds up defending Ashie Pinto. So, though Coyote Waits features one of the series' least dramatic plots, it's sturdy work from an incorruptible craftsman — and cause for quiet celebration. John M. Reilly compares
8910-474: The positions of the bodies, Cassidy had probably shot the fatally wounded Longabaugh to put him out of his misery, then killed himself with his final bullet. The Tupiza police identified the bandits as the men who robbed the Aramayo payroll transport, but the Bolivian authorities did not know their real names, nor could they positively identify them. The two bodies were buried at the small San Vicente cemetery, near
9020-423: The positions of the bodies, Cassidy had probably shot the fatally wounded Longabaugh to put him out of his misery, then killed himself with his final bullet. The Tupiza police identified the bandits as the men who robbed the Aramayo payroll transport, but the Bolivian authorities did not know their real names, nor could they positively identify them. The two bodies were buried at the small San Vicente cemetery, near
9130-472: The reservation decades ago. Chee meets Odell Redd, a graduate student in languages, who also works with Tagert. Chee visits Huan Ji, who says it was his car, but does not recall passing Chee's police vehicle, which was not credible. After Ji is found murdered, Leaphorn and Captain Largo call on Chee to learn why his name is in the message on the wall. Chee is angered by Leaphorn's involvement. Leaphorn explains how he
9240-607: The reservation where population is sparse. The trading post and its owner John "Shorty" McGinnis were first mentioned in Listening Woman , the third novel in this series. In his 2011 book Tony Hillerman's Navajoland: Hideouts, Haunts, and Havens in the Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee Mysteries , author Laurance D. Linford has listed the following 76 geographical locations, real and fictional, mentioned in Coyote Waits . The coyote
9350-540: The site may have become public knowledge, the Parker family is believed to have since excavated Cassidy's remains at the cabin and moved them to a different burial site, leaving the spinal and toe bones behind in the process. William T. Phillips claimed to have known Cassidy since childhood. In his book In Search of Butch Cassidy , Larry Pointer speculated that Phillips was actually Cassidy, based upon stories in Phillips's unpublished manuscript, The Bandit Invincible, and
9460-489: The site may have become public knowledge, the Parker family is believed to have since excavated Cassidy's remains at the cabin and moved them to a different burial site, leaving the spinal and toe bones behind in the process. William T. Phillips claimed to have known Cassidy since childhood. In his book In Search of Butch Cassidy , Larry Pointer speculated that Phillips was actually Cassidy, based upon stories in Phillips's unpublished manuscript, The Bandit Invincible, and
9570-580: The so-called " Wild Bunch ". The gang assembled sometime after Cassidy's release from prison in 1896 and took its name from the Doolin–Dalton gang , also known as the "Wild Bunch". On August 13, 1896, Cassidy, Lay, Logan and Bob Meeks robbed the bank at Montpelier , Idaho , escaping with roughly $ 7,000. Cassidy recruited Harry Alonzo Longabaugh , also known as the "Sundance Kid", into the gang soon after. Bassett, Lay and Lay's girlfriend Maude Davis all joined Cassidy at Robbers Roost in early 1897. The four hid there until early April, when Lay and Cassidy sent
9680-542: The spirit of the Southwest. Josh Rubins of Entertainment Weekly finds that Hillerman keeps up his high quality writing: Will success spoil Tony Hillerman? Apparently not ... he continues to write the same sort of gently impressive mystery fiction he has always written: a little slow, a little somber, yet gripping too — thanks to the steady uncoiling of grim secrets, the constant tension between Navajo mysticism and contemporary American values ... As always, Hillerman fills out
9790-487: The star witness; his sister, Mrs. Lulu [sic] Parker Betenson, a forthright and energetic woman in her nineties ... She has no doubts: her brother came back and ate blueberry pie with family at Circleville in ... 1925. She believes he died of pneumonia in Washington in the late 1930s." An episode of the television series In Search of... (1978) examined the claims and possible evidence for Cassidy's return to America during
9900-435: The star witness; his sister, Mrs. Lulu [sic] Parker Betenson, a forthright and energetic woman in her nineties ... She has no doubts: her brother came back and ate blueberry pie with family at Circleville in ... 1925. She believes he died of pneumonia in Washington in the late 1930s." An episode of the television series In Search of... (1978) examined the claims and possible evidence for Cassidy's return to America during
10010-402: The three originally, and disagreed with Tagert on how to handle this historical find: recognition versus wealth. When Tagert marched Redd out with his gun, Pinto took the gun and shot Tagert. Redd drove away. Thus Chee found Pinto walking down the road, saying he is ashamed. Learning that Taka Ji was the driver of that vehicle, Redd rues murdering the father. Redd now reaches for the saddlebag, and
10120-462: The truth about Nez's murder makes for some contrived but ingenious plotting. Questions are answered and the truth divulged in several dramatic climaxes. ... The rewards in Mr. Hillerman's detective-Western hybrid include ample amounts of regional description (Albuquerque, northern New Mexico and the Navajo reservation), of Indian myth and of villainy. And in this book, the author continues to prove himself one of
10230-536: The women home so that the men could plan their next robbery. They ambushed a small group of men carrying the payroll of the Pleasant Valley Coal Company in the mining town of Castle Gate, Utah , on April 22, 1897, stealing a sack of silver coins, with which they fled back to the Robbers Roost. On June 2, 1899, the gang robbed a Union Pacific Overland Flyer passenger train near Wilcox, Wyoming ,
10340-409: The women home so that the men could plan their next robbery. They ambushed a small group of men carrying the payroll of the Pleasant Valley Coal Company in the mining town of Castle Gate, Utah , on April 22, 1897, stealing a sack of silver coins, with which they fled back to the Robbers Roost. On June 2, 1899, the gang robbed a Union Pacific Overland Flyer passenger train near Wilcox, Wyoming ,
10450-587: The years following the war. This novel is set in the American Southwest, on the Navajo Nation and the cities in or near it. Shiprock, New Mexico and Window Rock, Arizona are two cities on the reservation, about 100–110 miles apart depending on the roads used. Window Rock serves as the capital and seat of government of the Navajo Nation. Albuquerque, New Mexico is the location of the federal court, and
10560-563: Was a rancher who did business with Cassidy, supplying him with fresh horses and beef. That same year, Cassidy was arrested at Lander, Wyoming , for stealing horses and possibly for running a protection racket among the local ranchers there. He was imprisoned in the Wyoming State Prison in Laramie , where he served eighteen months of a two-year sentence; he was released and pardoned in January 1896 by Governor William Alford Richards . He became involved briefly with Bassett's older sister Josie before returning to Ann. Cassidy associated with
10670-445: Was an American train and bank robber and the leader of a gang of criminal outlaws known as the " Wild Bunch " in the Old West . Parker engaged in criminal activity for more than a decade at the end of the 19th century and the early 20th century, but the pressures of being pursued by law enforcement, notably the Pinkerton detective agency , forced him to flee the United States. He fled with his accomplice Harry Longabaugh, known as
10780-611: Was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment at the New Mexico State Penitentiary . The Wild Bunch typically separated following a robbery and fled in different directions, later reuniting at a predetermined location such as the Hole-in-the-Wall, Robbers Roost, or Fannie Porter 's brothel in San Antonio . Cassidy approached Utah Governor Heber Wells to negotiate an amnesty . Wells advised him to ask
10890-428: Was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment at the New Mexico State Penitentiary . The Wild Bunch typically separated following a robbery and fled in different directions, later reuniting at a predetermined location such as the Hole-in-the-Wall, Robbers Roost, or Fannie Porter 's brothel in San Antonio . Cassidy approached Utah Governor Heber Wells to negotiate an amnesty . Wells advised him to ask
11000-475: Was drawn into the case. The three lawmen realize that Ji's son was driving the car, and they need to learn what he saw when Nez was killed. Taka Ji saw three people enter the area, and waited to leave, so they would not see his car. One was Pinto, who sat drinking from his bottle, while the other two went farther into the rock formation. He heard a gunshot. He saw Nez's car. Realizing Pinto was drunk, Taka left, passing Chee's car with its flashing lights. Taka marks on
11110-466: Was heavily involved in this battle between the north and south parts of the now united nation. US involvement was based on blocking the spread of communism in the world, reflected in the novel by Taca's aunt saying that Huan Ji was killed by communists, a remark dismissed by Taca's cousin, longer in the US. Many south Vietnamese people who worked closely with the US military came to the US at the war's end, fifteen years prior to this novel, or more slowly in
11220-484: Was killed in a shootout with Grand County, Utah , Sheriff John Tyler and Deputy Sam Jenkins. On May 26, Kid Curry rode into Moab, Utah , and killed both Tyler and Jenkins in another shootout in retaliation for the deaths of George and Lonny. In December, Cassidy posed alongside Longabaugh, Logan, Carver, and Ben Kilpatrick in Fort Worth, Texas , for the now-famous "Fort Worth Five" photograph. The Pinkerton Agency obtained
11330-432: Was killed in a shootout with Grand County, Utah , Sheriff John Tyler and Deputy Sam Jenkins. On May 26, Kid Curry rode into Moab, Utah , and killed both Tyler and Jenkins in another shootout in retaliation for the deaths of George and Lonny. In December, Cassidy posed alongside Longabaugh, Logan, Carver, and Ben Kilpatrick in Fort Worth, Texas , for the now-famous "Fort Worth Five" photograph. The Pinkerton Agency obtained
11440-608: Was killed in the shootout that followed, and his cousin Bob Lee was arrested for rustling and sent to prison in Wyoming. On March 28, George Curry and News Carver were pursued by a posse from St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona , after using currency they had stolen in the Wilcox train robbery. The posse engaged them in a shootout, during which Deputies Andrew Gibbons and Frank LeSueur were killed, while Carver and Curry escaped. On April 17, George Curry
11550-459: Was killed in the shootout that followed, and his cousin Bob Lee was arrested for rustling and sent to prison in Wyoming. On March 28, George Curry and News Carver were pursued by a posse from St. Johns, Apache County, Arizona , after using currency they had stolen in the Wilcox train robbery. The posse engaged them in a shootout, during which Deputies Andrew Gibbons and Frank LeSueur were killed, while Carver and Curry escaped. On April 17, George Curry
11660-449: Was minor. Around 1880 he journeyed to a clothier shop in another town but found it closed. He broke into the shop and stole a pair of jeans and some pie, leaving an IOU promising to pay on his next visit. The clothier pressed charges, but Cassidy was acquitted by a jury. He continued to work on ranches until 1884, when he moved to Telluride , Colorado , ostensibly to seek work, but perhaps to deliver stolen horses to buyers. Cassidy led
11770-414: Was never financially successful at ranching. Cassidy's ranch used the "unmistakable brand " of "Reverse-E, Box, E". In early 1894, Cassidy became involved romantically with rancher and outlaw Ann Bassett . Her father was a rancher who did business with Cassidy, supplying him with fresh horses and beef. That same year, Cassidy was arrested at Lander, Wyoming , for stealing horses and possibly for running
11880-459: Was secretly buried at Tom's Cabin, a former sheepherders' log cabin located in a remote area of the property, a favorite camping spot for his brothers and him. Grace says an eyewitness, neighbor Dee Crosby, saw the burial take place at the cabin. Earlier, Putzel spoke to Alta Orton, another Parker neighbor, who described the family as having been dressed in funeral-like attire on that same day. Grace goes on to say that cadaver dogs had been brought to
11990-459: Was secretly buried at Tom's Cabin, a former sheepherders' log cabin located in a remote area of the property, a favorite camping spot for his brothers and him. Grace says an eyewitness, neighbor Dee Crosby, saw the burial take place at the cabin. Earlier, Putzel spoke to Alta Orton, another Parker neighbor, who described the family as having been dressed in funeral-like attire on that same day. Grace goes on to say that cadaver dogs had been brought to
12100-501: Was twelve years old when his family arrived in Salt Lake City in 1856 as Mormon pioneers . Ann Gillies was born and lived in Sunderland in northeast England before immigrating to the U.S. with her family in 1859 at age 14. The couple were married in July 1865. Robert Parker grew up on his parents' ranch near Circleville . Parker fled his home as a teenager and, while working on a dairy ranch, met cattle thief Mike Cassidy. He subsequently worked on several ranches, in addition to
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