04/13/2026
Matt Warner was born on this day in 1864. He started life as Willard Erastus Christiansen, and grew up in a Mormon family in Neph, Ephraim, Levan, and Manti. He took a job on Diamond Mountain near Brown’s Park at age 14 and eventually turned to rustling on his own. Warner and Butch Cassidy became friends, and pulled off robberies and rustled throughout the western U.S. The gang pulled off successful robberies in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah.
Warner took a job helping prospectors protect their claims. He killed two possible claim jumpers in a gunfight and was arrested for murder. He was moved from the Vernal jail to Ogden. An attorney helped lower his charges to manslaughter, allowing him to serve a shorter sentence. He spent the rest of his life on the opposite side of the law, becoming the Deputy Sheriff of Carbon County, and working the night patrol for the Price City Police Department. He also owned two saloons and led expeditions into Robber’s Roost. He passed away in 1938, leaving this phrase in his will: “…let temptation of (w)rongdoing cast aside, and share a life you will find peace of mind and happiness.”
Come learn more about Matt Warner at the Museum of Uintah County!
