About The Last Bandits: Roy Gardner and True Crime in Cowlitz County
Join us for a captivating presentation about Roy Gardner-the legendary "Mail Train Bandit" of the 1920s whose unbelievable escape from federal custody ended in his capture at the historic Olympic Club in Centralia.
Handcuffed, under guard, and seemingly out of options, Gardner turned the tables in a bold escape at the Castle Rock train station - robbing his captors and vanishing into the wilderness. What followed was one of the largest manhunts in the region's history, with the U.S. Army, Navy, and Forest Patrol Service all on his trail. Airplanes buzzed overhead, machine guns were locked and loaded, and even poison gas bombs were ready for action. Yet his capture at the Olympic Club wasn't even the end of his exploits!
Former Undersheriff of Cowlitz County Darren Ullman unravels the tale as well as the haunting story of Everett Frank Lindsay and the brutal murder in Woodland, Washington - a crime that would take a decade to solve.
Darren Ullmann retired from his position as undersheriff for Cowlitz County in 2022, capping off a distinguished career in law enforcement. Darren has spent more than a decade diving into the region's criminal past. His passion for uncovering local history led to the creation of the popular exhibit "Badges, Bandits, and Booze," which ran at the Cowlitz County Historical Museum in 2013.
Darren is a lifelong member and former president of the Cowlitz County Historical Society and author of numerous articles in the Cowlitz Historical Quarterly. His research bridges the worlds of crime, history, and storytelling - offering a unique perspective you won't want to miss.
