Sam Bass and his gang committed most of their robberies in the state of Texas. but he also robbed stages or committed crimes in Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The Texas Rangers were so threatened by Bass and his robberies that they set out to catch Bass at any cost.

Since Bass had worked as a Teamster, he knew all of the back roads, swamps, and thickets, and he would take the Texas Rangers on long chases. This became known as the "Bass War." Four four months, the Rangers were unsuccessful, until Bass was betrayed by a member of his own gang.