A B&CHB Exclusive: "Pistol" Pete Storey-- An Unknown B&C Hostage??

The August 1st, 2009 post entitled "The Bad Weather Trap-- That Wasn't" has inspired a most interesting e-mail to me, which could reveal a heretofore unknown B&C kidnapping and hostage. As Detroit, Texas was mentioned in the August post, as a location where B&C were thought to have passed through-- Deport, Texas, which lies nearby in the same county-- came into play within the approach to me.

A relative of a man named "Pistol" Pete Storey, told me of a favorite tale Mr. Storey apparently imparted for years-- to anyone who would listen. As the story goes, Mr. Storey ran a cotton gin in Deport, (Red River County) Texas. One night around 8PM, as he was locking up his office-- a man and a woman came to the door. The man commented on Pete's new car. As few people had a new car that nice in that part of Texas at the time, the man asked to see the inside-- as he was considering buying one for himself. Pete obliged, grabbed his keys and met the strange couple outside. Upon unlocking the car, the man pulled a gun and ordered Pete into the back seat. The man took the keys and proceeded to the driver's seat, while the woman sat in the passenger seat.

It was said the man talked to Pete a lot while they traveled, asking him questions and making small talk. Pete and this mystery man may have had much in common, as Pete was known to have used several aliases to avoid ever paying a red cent in income tax. Pete also distrusted the government, distrusted law enforcement and hated banks. Pete said the man was friendly and polite. He addressed the woman only as "honey" at first, but as their ride progressed into the night-- the couple eventually let their guard down, and called each other by name. It was then that "Pistol" Pete's suspicions were said to have been realized-- it was Clyde and Bonnie.

After hours of driving and conversation, Clyde decided it was time to let Pete out. Clyde said he didn't want to do it, but felt he had to tie Pete up so they could get away. Pete claimed they tied him very loosely to a tree, and Clyde promised that his car would be returned to him in good condition-- when he found one suitable to replace it. At that point the couple Pete claimed were Bonnie and Clyde, drove away in his car. A few days later, Pete's car was found by the side of a road believed to be in Oklahoma. The car was unharmed, with the keys in the ignition.

Pete apparently never told the police of his tale, but did tell this story to others-- long before many books were published concerning B&C. Now it's my understanding that Pete was known to have told some tall tales in his time, and as a result-- few believed his encounter with Bonnie and Clyde. However it's known, that Pete swore by this story as being true. As an aside, please remember the family of Bailey Tynes told me a similar account, of how Bailey was known to have told tall tales. However, with the release of the Dallas FBI files, Bailey's stories (never known to be true) were confirmed to have happened.

Similarly, with reported accounts of B&C perhaps having traveled near to the area where Pete's cotton gin was-- his relative now believes this story has the validity to be brought to light. She thinks the specifics of this story sound "a lot" like B&C, and upon review I must agree. The MO of approaching a mark near closing time, has been documented in other Clyde Barrow robberies. Also B&C's approach in taking a captive "for a ride" well outside of an area, and letting them off far away from the scene of their crime-- is also consistent with known B&C escapades. The tying of a hostage "loosely" to a tree to afford the duo a chance to escape, is also true to known accounts verified by police hostages from the Wellington incident.

And finally the traits of politeness expressed during the act of stealing a car and distancing themselves from an area, the small talk expressed-- and the abandoning of a stolen car with it's keys left in the ignition for it's owner to recover, are all witnessed events which to me-- are hallmarks of a B&C carjacking. We now know, that B&C and The Barrow Gang could be be quite cross and uncouth when they wanted to be. However, there are other stories which point to a softer side to the desperadoes-- one laced with kindness for their prisoners. Another interesting similarity to this account, also came from the Wellington hostages-- in that it was said that Clyde tended to talk a lot. So all in all to me-- there are enough similarities in this case to known and verified B&C traits, to make this reported account quite possible.

I am working to secure a photo of "Pistol" Pete Storey, which if successful-- I will add to this post. It's my understanding that audio tapes may also exist, with Pete himself telling his B&C tale. I've been told I may have access to hearing these tapes, which are being searched for now. My sincere thanks to the lady from Texas, who's name I know-- but at this point prefers to remain anonymous to most, in her relaying this remarkable family account. One of my rules in working with those with B&C stories to tell, is that at least I know who I'm dealing with. I am confident enough in the comparison of this story to known accounts, to believe this intriguing tale could be of great importance and interest-- and thus warrants it's publishing here.

I am helping to suggest ways to this family member of Pete Storey, to hopefully nail down a more verifiable account of this recollection. The potentials of this story are great-- so please stayed tuned. Many of you say you visit the B&CHB for the insights learned here. How about this one?? I very much appreciate the trust placed in me, by those who have B&C insights to tell. I invite your comments, concerning this potentially standout B&C revelation.

Bonnie and Clyde Q&A-- Was Killing Bonnie Parker Fair??

Well, you might want to break out the boxing gloves for this one. A viewer from New Mexico keyed in asking this always controversial and poignant question. As far as I can tell, this has been one of those watershed, double edged sword inquiries for decades-- where no matter who wields the sword, they get cut. From my perspective, a recounting of known facts may help in attempting to sort out this great debate. However, in considering the question of whether the killing of Bonnie Parker was fair-- oddly enough answering this question, often seems to lead to a perpetual array of even more perplexing questions.

An obvious first query for this question is-- fair to whom?? Fair to society??-- fair to Bonnie Parker and her family??-- fair for our system of morals and ethics, then or now??-- or fair to those with the benefit of hindsight, who pick apart this 75 year old controversy with the keen vision of a great African cat?? There are those who take the "hard line" regardless-- regardless of compassion, and regardless of historical circumstance. For the hard liners-- Clyde's paramour was a killer, or at the very least a killer by association-- who needed to be stopped along with Barrow at any cost. Death for B&C couldn't come soon enough, for those who identify most with the law-- and as often expressed through the ambush at Sailes, these blood thirsty desperadoes surely got what they deserved. But for others compassion reigns, in making it seem logical through numerous exercises in the hypothetical-- that additional thought could and should have been exercised by the lawmen involved, in attempting to save Bonnie.

These arguments of salvation often center around ideas thought of now, which "may" have been employed, if only they'd been realized then. Or perhaps alternative plans "were" considered in '34 but rejected-- for which we may never know?? It's been rumored for decades, that good intelligence based on the help of informants close to the outlaws, played a key role in taking down B&C. Thanks to the Dallas FBI files, we now know this to be true-- and to a greater extent than previously known. With good info available from informants trusted by B&C, and at least 6 trained officers plus members of the Bureau of Investigation on the ground near B&C in Louisiana-- the question is asked, why wasn't Clyde just picked off by a sniper-- clean and simple, when they stopped to visit those familiar to them-- or to get gas or food locally in Bienville Parish or the surrounding area?? In fairness-- that's a good question.

Also during the ambush, it's clear that Prentis Oakley likely pressed off the first 2 shots-- one of which killed Clyde instantly. If the Warren car had not been in gear and rolled down the hill toward the embankment when Clyde lost consciousness, would the ambush posse have let loose with such fury-- in catapulting the outlaws to a horrifically earned martyrdom?? With the officers physically so close to the car they would cause to be known as the death car-- were tensions so high, that cooler head's just couldn't prevail when the first shots rang out?? Thus in paraphrasing Lee Simmon's order to literally shoot the hell out of B&C, was this carnage unavoidable and thus inevitable?? Or rather could one or more of the posse members have exercised restraint, when Clyde's head hit the seat it ultimately ended up resting on-- and not fired further which may have saved Bonnie?? Were the intense pent up frustrations of lawmen everywhere in keen evidence that day, which no matter what-- were destined to be taken out on B&C in a bloodbath, even though the officers coolly said they were just doing their jobs??

To me, the answers to all these questions and others which have framed the argument over whether Bonnie deserved to die, can perhaps best be answered by Bonnie herself. From the accounts and conversations we know of, it seems clear that Bonnie was viewed as being too close to Clyde for separation or rehabilitation. Family members tried in vain, to get Bonnie away from Clyde, and by all outward appearances-- she flat out refused. She stayed by her man to the end, and it seems from her own writings-- she knew that death with Clyde was the reality she faced. To me within that stark realization, is the evidence that it was Bonnie's "choice" to go down with Clyde-- and that life for her would have no meaning without him. So for the many who wish for some overt compassion in saving Bonnie, that in reality it seems she never wished for herself-- I would say look to Bonnie Parker, for the answer to this passionate and morally charged question.

Was killing Bonnie Parker fair?? It seems at least to her it was. However when you factor in the possibility that Bonnie may have been pregnant when killed, and that at least one lawman who pulled the trigger didn't seem to give a damn one way or another-- would the reality of a Bonnie pregnancy if true, have changed Bonnie's perception in protecting an unborn child?? Ah, another question-- and a really good one at that.

The 2010 B&CHB Polls-- And Away We Go

A new year means new B&C polls. Time's a wastin'-- so here are the answers to the 1st B&CHB Polls of an all new decade. It was Cumie Barrow who wrote of Clyde's calling Bonnie the sweetest baby in the world, in her unpublished manuscript. Apparently at some point, Bonnie left her purse at the Barrow station after visiting. In it, Cumie found Clyde's overture, on a note Bonnie saved and had carried with her. This was known to be the same note in which Clyde had drawn the diagram, that detailed where to find the pistol-- which Bonnie smuggled into prison to break out Clyde.

When sent to Waco in 1930, Clyde plead guilty to 7 counts of burglary. Clyde's early stint in prison was for 14 years. However, the seven 2 year sentences were to be served concurrently. Thus Clyde had the possibility of only serving 24 months of the 14 years of sentences imposed. It was a True Detective magazine series entitled The Inside Story of Bonnie Parker and the Bloody Barrows, in which Clyde and Bonnie were billed in reverse order. In addition to Bonnie's poetry, this tabloid series was one of the first examples of this new founded reality. To most and for for many years-- the West Dallas duo was known as Clyde and Bonnie. Doesn't have the same ring to it, does it??

It was Joe Palmer, who thought Henry Methvin liked B&C too much to have given them up. The Raymond Hamilton total time question was a bit tricky. According to Jim Knight's research, by the time the law finally sunk their teeth into Ray near the end-- in addition to the 263 years imposed on Hamilton, they added back a 3 year sentence, which was previously suspended-- making for a total of 266 years. Margaret Heneger was Buck Barrow's 1st wife. Less than a year after marrying Heneger, Buck fell for Pearl Churchley. Margaret and Buck divorced and Margaret was given custody of their son. Thereafter, Buck and Pearl married and had a daughter. It was only then, when Buck and Pearl's relationship dissolved, that Buck met Blanche in 1929.

The accompanying photo is of course Raymond Hamilton, looking as though he too-- knows the end is near. Thanks for your participation in the B&CHB Polls. Look for another batch of early year B&C Poll questions soon.

A '30's World-- What Did People Eat In The 1930's??

Another B&CHB feature I would like to expand upon in 2010, is a feature called A '30's World. Down blog right near the bottom is a selection of 1930's images, I thought would be interesting to those of us who thrive on the history from this unique era. As questions sometimes arise, regarding what things were like during the time of Bonnie and Clyde-- it seems this feature fits right in with our interests in these outlaws.

For all we know of B&C, there's remarkably little known concerning their personal habits. Much of what we do know, has come via family recollections. Such is the case with food. We know a few of the couple's culinary likes, but not many-- red beans and rice for Bonnie, and fried chicken with french fried potatoes and peas with cream and lots of pepper for Clyde. Also hot chocolate with marshmallows played an important role in B&C History when Bonnie and Clyde met. We hear from witnesses, of the times B&C stopped at cafes, but we know little more than a cursory overview of these stories. I believe this has prompted some to ask about food in the '30's. This is a question which I've addressed previously, but have decided to revive-- in order to provide more detail this go round.

People often envision the Depression ravaged 1930's as a time of starvation in America. However in reality, although there were many for whom hunger was a constant reality, apparently starvation in the U.S. during this time was rare. One of the silver linings of the Depression (if there was one)-- was that food was relatively inexpensive. There were soup kitchens open in areas of need, to support those who couldn't afford to eat. The soup kitchens were often run by charitable groups such as churches, Ladies Aid Societies or the Salvation Army. Three meals were served each day including Sundays.

Breakfast at soup kitchens often consisted of a sweet roll and coffee, and dinner and supper as the meals were known then-- were comprised of soup, bread and coffee. Fruits and vegetables for soup kitchens were sometimes provided through charity gardens and donations. Another entity which existed were called penny restaurants, which served low cost meals. For those with the space to plant, home gardens were common-- and provided a plentiful source of sustenance for little money. Local farms which were more prolific in number during the '30s, were also an important source of food. Many farms then were quite diversified, in offering not only vegetables and fruit, but chickens, eggs, hogs, cattle and even sheep for both meat and wool.

For those in better circumstances financially, cafes and restaurants were available where you could eat in or order food to go. Of course for Bonnie and Clyde and the Barrow Gang, food made to go was an important factor-- thus the many stories concerning stops at local cafes wherever they roamed. Local groceries were prevalent, but also chains like Piggly Wiggly and A&P markets were on the rise. Self sufficiency was the norm during this time, and carried over from the home into people's social lives. Church and pot luck dinners were common. Also home economists could be heard on radio, teaching women how to stretch their food budget-- with dishes like casseroles, macaroni and cheese, creamed chipped beef and other such modest meals.

Without question, food in the 1930's was freshly prepared by comparison to today's fast food mentality. The words made "from scratch" are often heard when the preparation of food in the '30's is described. There were some fast food chains like White Castle which debuted in 1921, but for the most part, fast food as we know it today-- didn't arrive en masse until the 1950's. Therefore for those with means, eating at home or at a cafe was the norm. But this was "real" home made food by today's standards-- and likely not dissimilar to what you can order today at modern diners and cafes, however without the wide variety available now. One of the things I miss most about Gibsland, LA when I leave there, is the cafe in town. They serve real home cooking, with a limited but good menu. I would think the experience of eating at a small town cafe such as in Gibsland, would be similar to eating at the cafes of old. This is food served promptly, but not meant to be fast-- just good.

I took a look at some menus and food brands available in the 1930's to give you an idea of the "flavor' of things then. Now of course depending on social and financial situations for people, these menus would vary. For this purpose, I have deliberately avoided menus for ritzy get-togethers for the well to do-- as I don't feel those who wonder about food in the Depression Years, would care much to know of the extravagant. Food at that level is always special, but likely not indicative of foods for the average family during the Depression years.

On You Tube, there's a wonderful series of Depressions Age recipes, as expressed by Clara Cannucciari who's in her 90's. She recounts frugal recipes from that period, along with charming and insightful personal memories from the Depression. Clara shows how to make '30's meals such as the poor man's meal, peppers and eggs, pasta with peas, egg drop soup, dandelion salad, eggplant Parmesan, baked apples and couscous with vegetables. I don't know which are more interesting-- Clara's recollections or her recipes which have inspired a cookbook. But for those of us interested in Depression Age history, I feel it's worth many trips to this terrific Great Depression cooking series. A link to this site can be found here-- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGX8m8lAzOs&feature=related

In doing research for this piece, I found websites devoted to Depression Age food. Some examples of family dinner meal suggestions I found, and listed here in no particular order include-- Cheese souffle, pork chops, roast or broiled chicken, meat loaf, fresh beef tongue, baked salmon, Creole beef with noodles, spaghetti Italian, cold boiled ham, broiled ground beef on toast, cream of vegetable soup, browned parsnips, olives and radishes, rhubarb Betty, Lima beans in tomato sauce with crisp bacon, savory cooked lettuce, parsley potatoes, fried tomatoes, wilted dandelion greens, new potatoes, peas, mashed potatoes, french fried potatoes, spring onions on toast, celery and grape salad, Scalloped onions and peanuts, spinach, summer squash, grated cheese and lettuce salad, perfection salad, succotash, carrots, cold (cole) slaw, green tomato pie, Brussels sprouts, fried potato cakes, hot biscuits, oven toasted bread and butter, crab apple jelly, banana pudding, lemon meringue bread pudding, apple sauce, jelly roll, lemon pie, peanut brittle ice cream, sand tarts, peaches and cream, vanilla wafers, Strawberry ice cream, Spanish cream, Ginger bread with whipped cream, iced tea, iced coffee, coffee and milk.

Luncheon examples included-- Sliced ham and currant jelly sandwiches, made with entire-wheat bread, egg salad sandwiches made with white bread, Peanut butter and entire-wheat bread sandwiches, scrambled-egg sandwiches, ham or veal and entire wheat bread sandwiches, jelly and white bread sandwiches a hard cooked egg, cold baked beans, Boston brown bread and butter sandwiches, spiced beef sandwiches with white bread, a raw tomato with salt and pepper, creamed chicken, a hard cooked egg, apple pie, cheese, hot coffee, an orange, an apple, Portsmouth orange cake, raising gingerbread, sponge cake, hot tea and lemonade. Note-- I always love the '30's vernacular, such as "entire wheat" used as an early description for whole wheat.

Breakfasts haven't seemed to have changed much, with '30's offerings including sliced oranges, prepared cereal, fluffy omelet or scrambled eggs, hominy with shredded dates, poached egg on English muffin, toast, muffins, marmalade, applesauce, coffee and milk.

Let's Eat!!

As far as name brands you know, the 30's was a banner decade for the introduction of many including-- Birds Eye Frosted Foods, Wonder Bread, Del Monte Tomato Sauce, Land O Lakes Sweet Cream Butter, Mott's Apple Sauce, Hostess Twinkies, Snickers, Kit Kat, Butterfingers and many candy bars known today, Gerber and Beech-Nut Baby Foods, Bisquick, Ovaltine (promoted as health food for children), Gold Medal Cake Flour, Welch's Grape Juice, Kellogg's Rice Crispies, Frito Corn Chips, Skippy Peanut Butter, Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies, Campbell's Soups in varieties you know, but also including-- mock turtle, muligatawny, pepper pot, tomato-okra and vermicelli-tomato, Kraft Miracle Whip, Royal Crown Cola, Ritz Crackers, Five Flavors Life Savers, RealLemon Lemon Juice, Goya brand foods, Orangina, Pepperidge Farm Breads, Kix Cereal, Spam, Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner, Ragu Spaghetti Sauce, Motts Apple Juice, Nescafe instant coffee, Lay's Potato Chips and 5 Minute Cream of Wheat.

I hope you've enjoyed this look into food of the 1930's. Perhaps soon, I'll delve into entertainment, transportation or cars of the '30's-- or concentrate on the Warren car. I may need to ask the help of a guest poster for that one. For now, I know one thing-- I'm hungry. Food sure seemed good sounding then, and I'm sure better for you. The photo attached to this post, is the restored 1930's Conoco station & UdropIn cafe, located in Shamrock, Texas. For now AWW signing off, and for all the kids of B&C aficionados everywhere-- be sure to drink your Ovaltine.

"Sex Sells"-- But At What Cost To Bonnie & Clyde History??

I continue to be amazed, at the frequency of Clyde homosexual references-- from a consistent number of people, who key into this blog seemingly for the purpose of learning about this sordid topic. Hopefully many of these individuals are learning some truth while they are here. I'm not sure, why sexual rumors concerning Clyde, Bonnie and other B&C figures within this history have amounted to such a rampant obsession in so many. With that said, I am providing this post as a forum for comment. I am challenging anyone who visits here to glean info on B&C sexual issues, to please comment and present evidence-- which supports Bonnie, Clyde, W. D. Jones or anyone else within the saga of B&C-- as having verifiable sexual issues important enough, to warrant the harm their perception has caused to this history. I would also ask the B&CHB faithful, to please comment as well.

As I continually do, I am encouraging all interested in these scurrilous rumors-- to please go to the blog archive located bottom blog right>> and find the post titled Sordid Rumors and Innuendos Exposed, dated August 8th, 2009. I would suggest that for many, it will be time well spent in reading this post. Within this effort, I teamed up with 3 other B&C Historians, to present the case against these scurrilous rumors having validity-- and also to identify a key source of B&C sexual innuendo. As I am now aware of some additional sources, which may have contributed to these B&C sexual rumors gaining momentum-- I am considering updating this report and re-posting it.

As with other B&C rumors, which have morphed into B&C lore-- these sexual rumors appear to be cutting edge versions of just that-- lore. Does anyone feel that if gay rights had been advanced in the 1930's, that anyone would have attempted to make Clyde Barrow a poster boy for those rights?? Perhaps that's an overly dramatic statement, but maybe not. And I would think the result of such a suggestion if Clyde had found out about it-- would have been more Clyde Barrow killings. There's no credible evidence which points to there being truth regarding these rumors, yet over and over-- there's great interest in discovering more about these slanderous claims. I don't feel there's much doubt, that John Toland contributed greatly to this issue. And now thanks to an expert on Santa, Bonnie Parker was likely a prostitute as well. Lord give me strength, for it's time to fight the good fight again.

Bonnie and Clyde Q&A-- How Many Did B&C Kill??

Ah-- one of the great and spirited Bonnie and Clyde debates. This is a question which in fairness, should be expanded to ask-- how many did The Barrow Gang kill?? When addressing this long standing question of interest, rightfully discussion should also include, delving into some of the more hotly debated Barrow Gang killings and their participants. Many feel either 12 or 13-- are the correct number of known Barrow Gang killings. Although 12 of these murders are assured, I buck with tradition and go with 13-- as being the number of murders, committed by the West Dallas desperadoes and their associates.

In sorting out this question, first I feel it's fair to say that now 75 years later-- it's almost universally acknowledged by B&C experts that Bonnie Parker never killed anyone. In addition to direct culpability, Bonnie as all gang members would have almost certainly been considered accessories to murder-- for whichever killings were committed during their tenures. It's been well documented, that Bonnie loaded weapons with bullets that likely killed others. Also based on the evidence that exists, I for one am convinced-- Bonnie "did" fire weapons a number of times at living targets, however I can find nothing to support Bonnie hitting what she aimed at.

Clyde seems responsible for at least 6 murders, and possibly more of the Barrow Gang killings. In June 1933, Clyde admitted to having been obliged to kill 6 men who attempted to capture him. Clyde's deadly admission was witnessed by lawmen George Corey and Paul Hardy, when they were taken hostage after the Wellington incident. Now some may disagree, but if Clyde was true to his boast-- then it seems 6 of the 7 Barrow Gang killings to that point may have been committed by Clyde. In eliminating John Bucher, you would need to consider all of the next 6 killings to be attributed to Clyde Barrow.

There is debate over the killing of Doyle Johnson, since both Clyde and W.D. shot at Johnson. Many including Jones himself believe he felled Johnson. So even if you were to subtract the Doyle Johnson killing from Clyde's total and pin that one on W. D.-- and then count one of the 2 Grapevine murders for Clyde-- Clyde could still have been responsible for 6 of the killings. Also some consider Clyde's likely killing of Big Ed Crowder in the mix. I myself view Crowder as a pre-Barrow Gang killing, and do not include him within these numbers.

It's almost certain, that W. D. Jones who was a shooter in at least 6 gunfights-- killed at least one man and possibly more. Also Henry Methvin is thought to have killed 2, and depending on who you believe concerning the Grapevine murders, may have killed both motorcycle officers that fateful Easter Sunday-- making for a total of 3 killings. I as many, feel Henry killed one officer and Clyde killed the other. In addition, based on a death bed confession by Buck and W. D. corroboration-- Buck killed Henry Humphrey. And finally, Joe Palmer was reported to have killed Major Crowson-- and is thought to have murdered Wade McNabb.

McNabb is the wild card in determining the correct number Barrow Gang murders. As I see it, McNabb should count as the 13th victim of The Barrow Gang-- and if so, he would also qualify as the only hostage who was killed. The inclusion of McNabb all comes down to whether you believe the story told. On March 29th, 1934 Wade Hampton McNabb is thought to have been kidnapped off a street in Gladewater, Texas by Clyde Barrow, Henry Methvin and Joe Palmer. Several days later, McNabb's body was found near the Texas--Louisiana line. The story goes that McNabb, who was a "Building Tender" at Eastham Prison-- was killed by Joe Palmer, because of his abuse of Palmer while in jail.

Although debatable, the murder of Wade McNabb is a compelling account which makes sense from a Barrow Gang perspective. Palmer had killed Crowson and apparently had a vendetta against McNabb-- which I feel he likely made good on, while in the company of Clyde Barrow and Henry Methvin. If so it should stand to reason, that with Joe Palmer given credit for Major Crowson as a Barrow Gang killing-- it would be fair to add Palmer's likely murder of McNabb to the gang's deadly total.

Some might say as the McNabb killing can't be positively linked to Barrow and his cohorts, that McNabb can't be considered the 13th Barrow Gang victim. It could also be thought that I'm veering slightly off course, from my usual staunchness in backing only verifiable accounts. But sometimes you've gotta go with your guts. I view this story as too logical, to feel others were responsible for this killing. Thus I'll go out on a limb and join others, who count McNabb as the 13th Barrow Gang murder.

In order to pay our respects, here are the 12 known and 1 suspected victim-- who lost their lives at the hands of The Barrow Gang. Of course with their passing-- came much heartache and hardship for their families.

John N. Bucher-- Hillsboro, Texas April 27th, 1932
Eugene Moore-- Atoka, Oklahoma August 5th, 1932
Howard Hall-- Sherman, Texas October 11th, 1932
Doyle Johnson-- Temple, Texas December 26th, 1932
Malcolm Davis-- Dallas, Texas January 6th, 1933
John W. (Wes) Harryman-- Joplin, Missouri April 13th, 1933
Harry McGuinnis-- Joplin, Missouri April 13th, 1933
Henry D. Humphrey-- Alma, Arkansas June 26th, 1933
Major Crowson-- Huntsville, Texas January 16th, 1934
Wade McNabb-- Near the TX--LA border March 29th, 1934
** believed by some to warrant inclusion in this list
E. B. Wheeler-- Grapevine, Texas April 1st, 1934
H. D. Murphy-- Grapevine, Texas April 1st, 1934
Cal Campbell-- Commerce, Oklahoma April 6th, 1934

Thanks for another great question. I welcome your comments.

Bonnie and Clyde Q&A-- Where is the Bonnie & Clyde Death Car??

Herbst Gaming who owns the Terribles Casino chain, bought the Bonnie and Clyde death car & exhibit when it purchased Whiskey Pete's Casino in Primm, Nevada-- as part of a 3 casino acquisition in 2007. Unlike Gary Primm and Ray Paglia, who exhibited the Warren car and Clyde's death shirt as more or less a permanent attraction-- Herbst Gaming has allowed the B&C car and exhibit, to travel "on tour" to many of it's 15 casinos in Nevada, Missouri and Iowa.

There's good news and bad news to this story as it exists now. The good news is that due to the number of Terrible's Casinos, more people across America have been able to view the B&C death car-- as it's been presented nearer to them. The bad news is that Herbst Gaming who was a billion dollars in debt, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in March of 2009-- has now lost their casinos. Last October 31st, Judge Greg Zive of Reno, Nevada approved what looks to be the final reorganization plan-- to what has been a controversial bankruptcy case.

It has been published, that assets of Herbst Gaming including their 15 casinos will be turned over to creditors some time in 2010. So stay tuned and keep an eye out for information concerning Herbst, Terribles and the Bonnie and Clyde death car. When ownership of the Warren car is presumably taken over, by a bank or other creditor as a result of Herbst Gaming assets being transferred-- hopefully we'll be able to track it's whereabouts through public information.

The best knowledge I have at this point, is that the Bonnie and Clyde death car has been back at it's location across the street from Whiskey Pete's Casino in Primm, Nevada since January of 2008. I've been told by a Herbst Gaming representative, there are no plans to move the B&C car at this time. For more information concerning the whereabouts of the B&C death car exhibit, contact Whiskey Pete's Casino at 1-800-fun stop.

"Update" 1/5/11-- A recent report that Boyd Gaming had purchased the B&C Death Car from the Terrible's Casino chain was erroneous. I did learn some assets may have been in play for purchase between the gaming companies, but the reported asking price of $5,000,000 may have been too steep for the car to have changed hands. I've also learned, you can now rent the historic B&C Death Car for that special occasion. Terrible's has confirmed, that the B&C car is currently located at the Terrible's Gold Ranch Casino in Verdi, Nevada. In the Spring of 2011, plans are in place to move the car back to Primm-- likely to Buffalo Bills. 1 800- fun stop should be the right phone number at Terrible's, for up to the minute info concerning the location of The Bonnie & Clyde Death Car.

Thanks for a great question, which is so often wondered.

New For 2010-- Bonnie and Clyde Q&A

Here at The B&CHB, I routinely receive keyword entries and e-mails, concerning interesting questions about Bonnie and Clyde. As such, in addition to answering questions individually-- this year I'll be adding a new feature to the blog simply called Bonnie and Clyde Q&A. The goal of this ongoing feature will be to address questions asked, so all who frequent the blog-- can benefit from the Q&A provided.

Look for the 1st in this series to be posted soon. Also, should anyone wish to see a new feature added to the blog-- please e-mail me with your ideas. Thanks.