William Ellsworth Lay

Butch Cassidy’s best friend: Elza Lay
One of these early businessmen of Thermopolis, Wyoming came to town in 1906. He was well-known and bought a saloon under his alias of William “Bill” McGinnis.
His real name was Elza Lay and he was Butch Cassidy’s best friend and ally. Together they had been part of the Wild Bunch, spending most of their outlaw career together throughout Wyoming and the neighboring states.
In July of 1899, Lay, against the advice of Cassidy, robbed a train with the Ketchum brothers. Though the robbery was successful, Lay was eventually caught and convicted to life in prison.
However, he was well-liked and trusted by the warden. After he helped to quell a riot and rescue the warden’s wife and daughter, he received a full pardon from New Mexico’s Governor Otero on January 10, 1906.
By September first of the that same year, using his alias W. H. McGinnis, he bought the Topic Saloon from H. S. Cover in Thermopolis. The two-story building was used for a saloon on the first floor with eight rooms upstairs for lodging. He renamed it “The Blue Front Thirst Parlor”.
Questions remain of where exactly he got the funding to buy the saloon with some theorizing that the money used to buy the business came from hidden loot he recovered after his release from prison.
During his time in Thermopolis, Lay was an active member of society. For the 1907 Fourth of July festivities, Lay, known as an excellent horseman, was designated as the chairmen of the horse race committee.
His time as a business owner in Thermopolis was short-lived – by the end of July, he dissolved his partnership in the saloon and moved on to a career in the oil field. Elza Lay ended his days in California although it is rumored that he returned often to Shoshoni, Wyoming to visit old friends and relive his outlaw years.

William E Lay "Elzy Lay"

 Elzy Lay, bott left -- Ben Kilpatrick (Tall Texan) bott rt -- Harry Longabaugh (Sundance Kid) top left --

Will Carver (News Carver) top rt.

 

---