Ernest Cashel (c. 1882 – February 2, 1904)[1] was an American-born outlaw who became famous in western Canada for his repeated escapes from custody.

Now a fugitive in the United States, he crossed from Wyoming, through Montana into Alberta, Canada, and worked as a ranch hand at several locations.

Several weeks later, on November 19, a man called on police to report his brother-in-law, Isaac Rufus Belt, had gone missing from his ranch east of Lacombe.

Upon investigation by the authorities, it was discovered that a young man named Bert Elesworth had been staying at Belt's ranch at the time of the latter's disappearance.

Examination showed that he had died from a gunshot to the chest, with the bullet found being the same type and caliber as the rifle Cashel carried.

Cashel was brought from Stony Mountain Penitentiary back to Calgary to face murder charges in the death of Belt.

[4] Because of his history of escaping, he was held in a specially-built cell, which kept him separate from the other inmates, and was itself set in one corner of a large room where it could be seen by everyone within.

[6] John Cashel had left his brother a horse to escape upon, but the animal was spooked by Ernest's rapid approach and broke free, disappearing into the frozen night.

Realizing that the cold required him to find shelter quickly, Cashel visited a female acquaintance in Calgary, and demanded she hide him for the night.

[6] The pursuing Mounties also realized that Cashel would have to find shelter quickly, and began to search known underworld hangouts.

It was later learned that Cashel had been keeping track of his own pursuit by following the papers, and indeed had never been more than six miles (9.7 km) from Calgary during his run.