Last of the Robbers Roost Outlaws: Moab's Bill Tibbetts

by Tom McCourt

In the early 1900s much of southern Utah was still untamed, unnamed, and unexplored. To a bold adventurous boy like Bill Tibbetts, the place was magic. Cowboys still bucked-out wild horses and chased renegade bands of Indians that skulked through mountain shadows or up canyons cradling ancient cliff dwellings.

The story of Bill Tibbetts, who overcame the travails of being a wanted man in a hostile land, is a nostalgic read of hard times in the old west. This book is an exciting tale of one man’s journey: his grit, his gumption, his loyalty to the land and family.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Mummy Cat Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

While visit Moab, UT, our hotel had a copy of this book in the room. I decided to read it while my kids were napping. I have never heard of this man. Nor did I know much about the history of southern UT. For those reasons, I found the book very interesting.
The thing I didn't like was most of the book was written like a novel. I found that strange because the accounts were takes from the family and not from the man, as though he was writing a story from his experiences. The dialogue there felt fake to me because the information was coming from a third or fourth account, so the author had to have embellished those parts making it seem fake to me.
The historical parts where the Author added in newspaper accounts was fun. I liked how these passages were written and it was more interesting to me.
I'm glad the hotel left a copy in our room for me to read. It was educational and interesting to learn about this man and his life, also while learning about Moab at the turn of the century.

[Steve Coscia · Rating 3 out of 5]

While camping in southern Utah, I bought this book to learn more about the region. The author mentions numerous towns where I either visited, camped in, ate in or drove through. Reading local biographies and novels is a great way to boost travel experiences.

This is a fast read and very informative. Bill Tibbetts grew up during a time when Utah was still the old west. His growing pains led to behavioral issues and youthful indescretions. Tibbetts was a late bloomer and evetually found his way, but his hard-headedness made his life difficult.

Worth the read.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early 1900s much of southern Utah was untamed, unnamed, and unexplored. To Bill Tibbetts, the place was magic. Cowboys still bucked-out wild horses and chased renegade bands of Indians that skulked through mountain shadows or up canyons cradling ancient cliff dwellings. The story of Bill Tibbetts, who overcame the travails of being a wanted man in a hostile land, is an exciting tale of one man’s journey: his grit, his gumption, his loyalty to the land and family.

[Len Knighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was given to me by my granddaughters Anna and Cora Stager after their edu-vacation to nine National Parks out west in late 2023. I enjoyed reading the book, although it would not have been a book I would have bought for myself. The West was indeed wild in those early years of the 20th Century and life was hard for cowboys. The title is a bit misleading, but does not detract from the story.

Three stars

[Dustin Teeples · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! The fact it's assisted by Ray Tibbetts for factual basis only adds to the significance. A true Utah icon..

[Adelbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Good use of primary and secondary sources to tell the story.

[Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining, educational, and informative read, especially for anyone who has lived in Moab (which we did from 1963 to 1966) or who has a love of southern Utah. All of the characters and their names are real. As you read, you can easily visualize the star-lit, clear sky and almost smell the junipers and the sage brush. It is most remarkable how this part of the world has changed in the last 100 years, or even in the last 50 years. This glimpse into the range wars in the Canyonlands helps one to understand the role of the BLM and increases one's appreciation for the National Park Service. The name of "Dead Horse Point" becomes more meaningful. The interaction with the Native American Indians is presented with an informed, balanced perspective. Concurrently, the excitement of the story keeps you turning the pages. I read the book completely in one day.

[Dana Wickware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and interesting history of the last true outlaw in Moab, Bill Tibbetts. This was a page turner!

[Sande Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived in Emery County, Utah for almost five years. During that time my old blue truck traveled many side roads all over from winter quarters to south of Moab. Many of the families I am familiar with and loved reading about it. Robbers Roost has always been an interest of mine. I have read other McCourt books. Nine Mile Canyon was another place I roamed. Living away from Utah it was great to read this book. The life of Bill Tibbetts was very interesting. He could never stay away from that desert. That area just does something special to your heart. McCourt tells the story well, as always.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last of the Robber's Roost Outlaws is a fun local history book. Based on interviews with Bill Tibbetts' family, friends, and neighbors, the author states that he has fictionalized some dialogue, but backs up his interpretations with solid history. As a frequent visitor to the Moab, Utah area, I was delighted to learn the inside scoop on its rugged past. Did I mention there are lots of photos, and copies of newspaper clippings from that period?

[Lynette · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! Of course this appealed to me on several levels of personal obsession (about someone named Bill TIBBETTS; action takes place in and around Moab Utah; western history; etc. etc.) I am finding that I am a Tom McCourt fan!

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting slice of eastern Utah history, I'm glad I spent the time to read it, even though it wasn't my perfect book.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book to read about the history of the Moab area. I enjoyed learning about the challenges that the ranchers faced.