The Great Depression and Bonnie & Clyde "Revisited"

Many cite The Depression, and embittered anti establishment feelings spawned within America during those oh so tense years-- as a contributing factor for the rise of outlaws such as Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd and others. Although Clyde's life of crime actually began as a petty thief in 1926, The Depression is almost always equated with the saga of Bonnie and Clyde. I agree with the premise, that anger generated within the general populous in the '30s-- combined with a new found tolerance for lawlessness, within many who wouldn't normally support violence and rebellion-- resulted in the environment necessary, to foster the rise of the dust bowl desperadoes.

I believe these "people's heroes" (whether or not they viewed themselves as such)-- were born from the human condition and economic desperation of those most unique times. Although in my view, The Depression cannot be considered an "end all" argument, in supporting blanket sympathy for the actions of The Barrow Gang-- especially in having killed so many-- there must be a "balance" struck in considering their sins, based on an understanding of the times in which they lived. Some call today the Age of Lawlessness. I would respectfully disagree. I view the 1920's and 30s as the true Age of Lawlessness in America. Nonsensical crackdowns on citizens such as the continuation of prohibition, combined with an ineffectual government and then, with "all hell" breaking loose economically-- seemed legitimate reasons for people to have become "fed up" and rebellious. Times were brutally tough-- and people were a reflection of their times.

Today, comparisons are drawn between The Great Depression and our most recent economic downturn. Perhaps the following facts regarding these darkest of times in America, will be helpful in showing-- that although things could be better now, the economic realities of today cannot compare-- to the tremendous plights experienced three quarters of a century ago. A reality not often expressed, is the length of time The Great Depression lasted. Having begun late in 1929, the last of President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal 2 support programs wasn't discontinued until 1943-- when the war economy of WWII took hold. It's important to understand, that the depression of the 1930s was a worldwide economic downturn of catastrophic proportions.

Some Facts about The Great Depression in America--

> 13 million people became unemployed > In 1932, 34 million people belonged to families with no regular full-time wage earner > Industrial production fell by nearly 45% between 1929 and 1932 > Home building dropped by 80% between the years 1929 and 1932 > In the 1920s, the banking system in the U.S. was a nearly $50 billion enterprise, which accounted for nearly 50% of GDP > From the years 1929 to 1932, about 5,000 banks went out of business > By 1933, 11,000 of the 25,000 banks in the U S had failed > Between 1929 and 1933, U.S. GDP fell around 30%, and the stock market lost almost 90% of its value > Over one million families lost their farms between 1930 and 1934 > Between 1929 and 1932 the income of the average American family was reduced by 40% > Nine million savings accounts had been wiped out between 1930 and 1933 > 273,000 families had been evicted from their homes in 1932 alone > There were two million homeless people migrating around the country > Over 60% of Americans were categorized as poor by the federal government in 1933 > In the early 1930s, more people emigrated from the United States than immigrated to it > And although overall crime rates fell during this period, murder rates rose-- both within domestic disputes and robberies.

Those are harsh figures for a U.S. population that in 1932, was only 124,840,471. At one point, the unemployment rate climbed to 23.6%. In 1932 alone, the GNP fell a record 13.4% en route to a 31% total decline-- and the top tax rate was increased from 25 to 63%. Today the U.S. population has topped 300,000,000. Since December 2007, the GDP has fallen 2.5%-- and the unemployment rate has hovered at about 9.4% with 9.5 million unemployed. Perhaps we should count our blessings. The Depression Years were "indeed"-- tough and desperate times.

A question??-- If times today were to become as bad as they were so many years ago-- do you feel we as citizens would react any differently to those pressures, hurts and heartaches?? Its something to ponder. I would welcome your comments.

Color Depression photo courtesy of The Library of Congress Collection. I would wager, most of us only envision the depression years-- through the stark contrast of the black and white images we're used to seeing. I'm not sure how many have ever viewed color photos from this period. As lives then of course were lived in color as they are now-- somehow The Depression when viewed within this realism, hits home all the more.

The Bad Weather Trap-- That Wasn't "Revisited"

Sometimes, it just takes one formerly secret Bonnie & Clyde document-- for things to get interesting. At 1:20 AM on April 8th, 1934-- Dallas Bureau of Investigation SAC Frank Blake received a telephone message. This communique' was from A. W. Miller, a Texas State Highway Patrolman-- who was calling Blake from the Sheriff's office at Clarksville, TX. Miller stated he was working the territory between Texarkana and Paris, Texas-- watching Red River crossings along with another Hwy Patrol officer named J. W. Chapman, under instructions from Capt. Hamm.

The weather had apparently been bad-- in having rained for days. Officer Miller said the Red River was 2/3 up it's banks, and since that past Thursday-- crossing had been impossible and would be impossible for 3 or 4 days more. The ferry at Texarkana and all ferries in that vicinity had ceased operation because of heavy rains. The only possible crossing would be at Texarkana, and that would be unlikely. The bridge 25 miles east of Clarksville was also washed out, however the officers had reported keeping an eye out there as well.

Miller relayed information that a man from Detroit, Texas who said he served time with Clyde and claimed to know him personally-- said Clyde was in Detroit, Texas on Wednesday April 4th and was headed east. Officer Miller stated he and officer Chapman could be reached at Sheriff Smiley's in Clarksville, in order to provide more information regarding this Clyde Barrow sighting in Detroit-- and also requested this info be passed onto Capt. Hamm. Miller again goes on to detail how the roads, except main highways are still very muddy in Clarksville, and everywhere in between Paris and Texarkana.

Often, those interested in B&C History will ask-- why lawmen failed to employ this tactic or that, in trying to apprehend The Barrow Gang. This memo from a highway patrolman on the ground or should I say in the mud, with info concerning a Barrow sighting and good reconnaissance regarding the weather and roads-- begs the question, as to why no one followed up on the obvious?? Within his phone call, Texas Highway patrolman Miller eluded to what "could" have been a creative trap set for B&C-- or at least an enhanced effort to help in sighting them. Mother nature it seems, had provided a unique opportunity-- to aid law enforcement in their search for Bonnie and Clyde. With the back roads impassable, along with the bridges and ferries knocked out-- given some deployment of manpower, the highway patrol and Bureau of Investigation may have had the chance to set a bad weather trap-- to try and snare Barrow and his devoted paramour, within the soggy Texas countryside.

From interviews known to the Bureau and particularly from W. D. Jones-- the Bureau knew Clyde preferred to travel the back roads. With only the main roads passable, this would force Clyde onto the main roads where lawmen could be stationed. Or instead, if Clyde and Bonnie hunkered down until the rains stopped, they might have emerged later on the back roads again-- where the Hwy Patrol could have been stationed as well. Also with so few crossings of rivers available in those days, and the existing crossings being watched-- at some point or another, The Barrow Gang would need to cross a river and be spotted doing so-- which they "had" been before.

This is one of those "what if" Bureau of Investigation documents. Info was known, the opportunity may have been there-- but seemingly no one thought to complete the idea. Or if they did, perhaps it was felt, with Clyde being so elusive-- this strategy would be too cumbersome to employ. Maybe this is an instance, where Clyde's reputation indeed protected he and Bonnie. The thought could have been-- with the distances Clyde was capable of traversing in any given car trip, along with the unpredictability of his actions-- B&C may not have even been near there at that point-- therefore this strategy was deemed futile to attempt.

Perhaps if the lead time regarding Clyde's Detroit, Texas sighting had been just 2 days instead of 4-- this idea would have been considered?? However there "were" instances detailed in the Dallas FBI Files, where the Barrow Gang was later discovered to have been hold up or stranded at times-- "very" near where lawmen "could" have pursued and perhaps captured them-- but didn't. That was apparently the case after the Red Crown incident, and who knows-- could well have been the case here. Clyde could have stopped due to the heavy rains, only to emerge again when the roads were more passable. Seemingly all the authorities had to do, was station enough well armed men at the river crossings-- and along a select group of main and back roads of the area noted-- and wait for the weather to clear. A little time in the rain-- perhaps may have paid off. It appears, some officers in the trenches may have had a good idea. I find it interesting this bad weather trap wasn't even attempted. How about you?? I welcome your comments.

Hattie Crawford-- The Nurse Informant "Revisited"

In examining Barrow Gang informants-- last time we looked at the Sowers, Texas Informant. This time, I'd like to profile a much lesser known B&C snitch, Hattie Crawford-- The Nurse Informant. I'm sometimes asked about Hattie, and the time she administered medical aid to Clyde Barrow. Explanation of this incident goes a long way toward revealing an age old B&C question-- as to whether when seriously hurt, The Barrow Gang doctored themselves, or instead risked exposing their whereabouts-- by seeking medical attention from others.

The Hattie Crawford story goes-- that on December 14th, 1933, Sheriff Dee Watters of Miami, Oklahoma notified an Agent of the U.S. Bureau of Investigation, saying that he had information regarding B&C which might result in their capture. Sheriff Watters informed the Bureau, that on the evening December 6th-- a nurse named Hattie Crawford treated a man suffering from gunshot wounds. This man matched the description of Clyde Barrow, and was positively identified as being in the company of Bonnie Parker.

The background of this case is as follows: On the afternoon of December 6th, 1933 while exiting her apartment, Mrs. Hattie Crawford a nurse from Miami, Oklahoma-- was approached by a man who asked where he could find the nurse who lived in the apartment building where she lived. Mrs. Crawford identified herself as that nurse. The unidentified man asked Hattie if she would go on a call-- and she agreed. The man instructed her to take a bus to Afton, Oklahoma. Per this stranger's instructions, she left on the 6PM bus. Upon arriving in Afton, she was met by the same man who had spoken to her earlier, plus another man who was unknown to her.

All drove to Vinita, Oklahoma-- and proceeded to a house on the outskirts of the city. There they were admitted to the home by a woman whom Mrs. Crawford identified as Bonnie Parker. Hattie later explained to police, that approximately 8 years before, Bonnie and her mother lived in Miami, Oklahoma-- and that she was well acquainted with Bonnie. After entering the house, Nurse Crawford was taken to a bedroom where a man lay in bed. She was provided an alcohol solution and bandages made from a bed sheet. She stated the man had 2 gunshot wounds-- one on the left leg and one on his left arm. Mrs. Crawford then proceeded to dress these wounds.

Thereafter, she was taken back to Miami, by the same 2 men who had brought her to Vinita. The men asked if she could return the next night. Mrs. Crawford said she could. The men paid her $5 (about $75 today). They also warned Hattie about informing anyone concerning the matter. She later said it was her intention to immediately notify the police-- but as she felt she may have been watched, she didn't. Finally on December 14th, she mustered the courage to go to the authorities with her story.

Mrs. Crawford provided a description of the house and furnishings where she had helped the man. She was unable to positively identify a photograph of Clyde Barrow, but said the man fit his description. However, she did identify a photograph of Bonnie Parker. She said she wasn't able to closely observe the parties in the house, as they had her work by flashlight. The Sheriff of Vinita, John York was present when Hattie Crawford was interviewed regarding this incident. He identified the house in question as belonging to Mrs. Jane Hall of Vinita. It was said, Mrs. Hall had not lived in the house for several years (except for a few months), and at the time-- she had been staying on a ranch in Texas. Bob Hill of Vinitia, was known to be custodian of the property.

Mr. Hill said he was unaware of anyone occupying the Hall House. He allowed the authorities access to the home. Accompanied by Sheriffs York and Watters, a Bureau Agent and Mr. Hill-- the residence in question was examined on December 15th, 1933. Bloody bandages and a bloody undershirt were found. Later, Hattie Crawford was taken there. She positively identified the house, as being the place she was taken to offer assistance to whom it was believed to be Clyde Barrow. After the investigation, the house was placed under surveillance, and Mrs. Crawford agreed to notify Sheriff Dee Watters with any additional information she might have.

This incident along with others now revealed through the Dallas FBI Files on Bonnie and Clyde, clearly show that when seriously hurt-- The Barrow Gang sought medical care whenever they could. The 2 doctors known to have examined Bonnie at Ft. Smith, and the doctor said to have aided Clyde again with bullet wounds at Bell Chaney Springs-- are further proof of this. Unless another incident could be shown to have occurred after the Sowers ambush attempt, where Clyde would have been wounded-- I think it's fair to say Hattie Crawford may have been dressing Clyde's wounds from Sowers. I've never known, whether Nurse Hattie Crawford was charged in any way criminally in having assisted Bonnie and Clyde. Perhaps someone might know this, and would please comment.

Although the fear of retribution delayed Hattie Crawford from telling the authorities of her story in helping Clyde (which was likely the only goal of the threats)-- Mrs. Crawford as many did, came forward to help police in their tracking of B&C. As such, I've described her as the Nurse Informant. I hope that within the realm of life and death, she won't mind. Next time, I'll profile another who betrayed B&C to help lead to their capture. I welcome your comments and questions-- and as always my best to you.

The September Bonnie & Clyde Polls-- B&C Tidbits Galore

It's time again to address the Bonnie & Clyde Polls. This latest batch of queries was a medley of B&C certitudes, which I hope you found thought provoking. And away we go-- with the Sept. B&C Polls. All of the choices in question 1 occurred in the summer of 1932, and all had dates which were closely batched together. It was the kidnapping of Deputy Sheriff Joe Johns at Carlsbad, New Mexico which occurred last among the choices offered. The incident at Carlsbad happened on August 13th and 14th 1932. Stringtown was August 5th-- The Neuhoff Packing Company robbery occurred on August 1st-- and the Grand Prairie interurban job was pulled on July 29th.

Most seemed to know that in 1933, the Lillie McBride house stood at 507 County Avenue. County Avenue was later re-named Winnetka, where this house (pictured above) still stands-- in remarkably similar condition to when Tarrant County Deputy Sheriff Malcolm Davis was felled on the front porch there. Concerning Blanche and the law-- in general-- I think it can be said that Blanche Barrow was cooperative concerning her interviews with the authorities after her capture. Blanche even commented in one interview, that since Buck was now dead-- she had no reason to conceal any fact concerning The Barrow Gang. This brings us to the next question concerning Harold Thornbrugh. It was Harold's brother-- inmate Cecil Thornbrugh who stated Harold was a member of the Barrow Gang. Interestingly it was Blanche, who when asked about Thornbrugh, said she'd never heard the name of Thornbrugh at any time.

It was Ray Hamilton, who was seemingly singled out as being one of the parties and leading spirit-- who robbed the Grand Prairie State Bank on March 19, 1934. The local paper The Grand Prairie Texan, noted the job was pulled at a most opportune time and with methodical precision. And it was the bank heist in Lancaster, Texas on February 27th, 1934-- where Clyde was reported to have made the Dillinger like comment, in asking Olin Worley whether the $27. Clyde had taken as part of the monies relieved from the teller there-- were Worley's money?? After Olin told Clyde it was his wages from digging ditches-- Clyde reportedly said "We don't want your money-- just the bank's."

The Dallas Sheriff's Department's confidential informant, was described within the Dallas FBI Files as being both a Barrow or Parker friend or family member and as being tall and thin. Anyone up for re-kindling that debate??-- as that description does happen to fit the person most thought of as being the Sower's informant, Joe Bill Francis quite nicely. And finally $1000 1934 dollars (at retail prices)-- was the estimated value of the weapons taken from the Ranger National Guard Armory theft. 4 BARs and 13 .45 Colt automatic pistols were taken in the Ranger robbery. 2 older BARs and 4 .22 caliber rifles were apparently left untouched.

Well there you have it-- the September B&C Polls. Look for the October Spooky Halloween Edition B&C Polls to be posted soon. Many thanks as always for participating in the B&C Polls. Also, as no one chose to enter last month's Poll Contest-- there's no September Poll Champion to report. As the Poll Championship is up for grabs, I would encourage more who enjoy answering the polls, to contact me concerning October's B&CHB Poll Contest.

Arthur Penn, Director of the Movie Bonnie and Clyde Passes at Age 88

Arthur Penn-- Director of the iconic 1967 hit movie Bonnie and Clyde has died. Many who are interested in this history, will comment about the accuracy of historical truth as portrayed in Bonnie & Clyde. However there's no doubt, this movie born of the rebellious '60's and inspired by John Toland's account of B&C within his book The Dillinger Days-- re-kindled long lost interest in the outlaws, which has only grown since that time.

I've told the story before as told to me by "Boots" Hinton-- about how Ted and "Boots" Hinton were asked to meet with Arthur Penn and Warren Beatty, for a dinner meeting to discuss historical aspects of the film. Long story short, when Ted and "Boots" showed for this meeting, both Penn and Beatty didn't show-- citing the need to be elsewhere concerning the movie. Therefore, no review of historical accuracy involving the 2 Texas lawmen-- one of whom participated in the true events. Now there's a really funny story which remains untold, regarding this get together which I know "Boots" would prefer I not relate-- at least for now. I'm not sure why??-- perhaps because the person focused upon in this story is still alive-- hint. Perhaps I can convince "Boots" to let me tell the story for this circumstance.

With thanks to Cindy, here's a link concerning the passing of Arthur Penn.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/39420585/ns/today-entertainment/

Also-- here's an interesting Bonnie and Clyde movie story as told by Warren Beatty.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3_i7w2XPIE&feature=fvsr

"And"-- as many know, there are a number of clips from Bonnie and Clyde the movie scattered about blog right. But in honor of Arthur Penn, here's another-- the opening scene.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfIdRzgsnNs

Bonnie and Clyde Q&A-- Can a Map be Shown, of All the Places B&C Visited While On the Run??

Someone recently asked about a map showing all the places Bonnie and Clyde visited while on the run from the law. Now that's a tall order. All of the known places-- sure, that could be done. But all the places?? That would be tough. The Barrow Gang traveled a great deal in eluding the law. One of the key elements thought to have kept Clyde and his loyal paramour alive, was Clyde's ability to travel fast and travel far. One of the realities in examining Bonnie & Clyde travel patterns-- was that there seemed to "be" no discernible pattern to Bonnie & Clyde's movements. Many feel Frank Hamer figured out a pattern to the outlaw's travel, which helped the Texas lawman track down B&C. But based on the team effort we now know existed among lawmen-- I wonder how much of that Hamer accolade was lore, and how much was truth??

"Boots" Hinton has told me, that according to his father Ted-- every morning Dallas Sheriff "Smoot" Schmid would have Sheriff's Department secretaries cut out news articles on Bonnie & Clyde, for officers involved in the case to learn of B&C sightings. Even though these huddles of Sheriff's officers such as Decker, Alcorn and Hinton concerned sightings which were likely a day or 2 old-- apparently the boys in Dallas tried to anticipate B&C's movements, based on their reported locations.

For my money, one of the best of the Dallas FBI file documents on B&C, is Hilton Bybee's interview-- where he reveals the travels of the enlarged Barrow Gang after the Eastham breakout. As Bybee's info helps figure out B&C's travels-- try this one on for size. Note the haphazardness and doubling back within this relatively short period of time.

Beginning on Tuesday January 16th, The Barrow Gang visited Hillsboro, traveling country roads-- then onto Rhome via Grapevine. While in Rhome, Clyde, Raymond and Bonnie went into Dallas. The gang spent the night on a country road near Wichita Falls. Next, traveled into Oklahoma. Then turned back and got a car that night (Wednesday)-- at Vernon. Drove all day (Thursday) in Oklahoma and decided to come back to Texas and rob a bank. Then returned on Thursday night, staying near a river. It was onto Frisco on Friday. Next they visited McKinney for groceries. Friday night Palmer and Methvin went to Hugo to case stores and rob a filling station. Clyde was upset about the small haul ($7.00)-- and drove country roads to DeQueen, Arkansas on Saturday. Then the gang hit Fort Smith. Got a paper at a Fort Smith drug store Sunday morning, and headed back to Oklahoma. 'Stayed Monday night on country roads in Oklahoma.

Next reportedly they went up into Joplin, Missouri-- staying around Joplin and that country due to the good gravel roads. 'Got $400. in a small town nearby. Bonnie cut the money. Then it was onto Texarkana Tuesday night-- and Shreveport on Wednesday. 'Came through Fulton-- then to Caddo Lake, Oil City, Marshall and Terrall. Clyde, Bonnie and Hamilton then went back to Dallas. Next it was onto Decatur and Alvarado-- McQueen, Wichita Falls and Electra-- then to Vernon and headed for Lubbock but changed their minds. Thank goodness a break-- where were we??

Terrall, Vernon, Spring Lake-- Joplin, Lubbock, Amarillo, Wichita Falls-- Vinita, and Vega-- WOW!! Now imagine being the law, and trying to figure out a pattern to The Barrow Gang's speedy meanderings based only on reported sightings. Thanks much for the question. I hope this one example of Barrow Gang travels as reported by Hilton Bybee, shows the need for perhaps a case or 3 of multi-colored push pins, with which to dot the landscape in explosive clusters-- to help fill a map with Barrow Gang movements.

Bonnie & Clyde's Sailes LA Hideout-- Controversy Abounds or Does It??

There are many fascinations re: Bonnie & Clyde, often wondered about by those who visit here. One of these queries has to do with B&C's Sailes, Louisiana hideout-- their last refuge, the hideout it's said B&C may have been aiming for, after meeting Ivy Methvin on the Old Sailes Road that fateful morning in May 1934. But just where was this desolate hideout located within the northern Louisiana piney woods??-- what did it look like and what was it's story??

Based on a lack of facts concerning this last of the B&C safe houses, it seems not much is known concerning B&C's Sailes Hideout. But in researching this mystery, some modern day B&C historical warriors have been thinking "outside the box"-- in considering multiple locations and enticing theories, based on the promise of leads felt credible by those said to have been "in the know". But in comparing these proposed locations and theories, I can't help but feel clues from the time of Bonnie & Clyde-- may provide guidance toward unraveling this quagmire of a mental exercise.

This is one B&C topic I've hesitated to address, in not chancing to reveal research promised not to be revealed-- or in somehow impeding those who've worked at length to develop a modern answer to this question. But as the theory I'm in agreement with (at least for now)-- is both simple and nothing new, I see no harm in exploring this topic as inspired by visitors here. Although truth within Bonnie & Clyde History is often elusive, as it turns out-- the truth concerning B&C's Hideout may have been a matter of public record for more than 75 years.

I feel much can be learned in examining the published maps and photos, as well as public documents, books, articles-- & info gleaned thru interviews that I've made for example on this subject. Thus I don't believe any knowledge stated here, will tread on research which I'm aware of but cannot reveal-- out of respect for other's yet unpublished work. I leave it for those fine researchers, to expound upon and define the other locations felt possible for B&C's Sailes Hideout-- which are contrary to the most documented location, which I'll discuss here.

As Professor Carroll Rich once described it within his wonderful B&C articles-- when Otis Cole heard that someone had been seen at his father's old house near Sailes, Louisiana, Otis and his young wife Odie set off through the woods to this abandoned farmhouse to investigate. There it's said the Coles encountered Ivy Methvin on the front porch of this Cole family home. They also noticed 2 individuals moving in and about the house, but couldn't be sure of their identities-- as these people remained out of clear sight.

At this meeting, Ivy was noted to have been drunk or acted like it. The story goes that Ivy asked Otis, if he knew anyone who was bootlegging-- someone he could get a drink from?? When Otis answered "I don't fool with that stuff"-- apparently in disbelief, Ivy somehow offended Otis Cole, which caused him to hurry his wife away to save her from either suspected or already spoken foul language. The home where Otis and Odie Cole encountered Ivy Methvin and it's believed Bonnie & Clyde, was his father's place-- where it's thought Otis grew up as a child. Thus since 1934-- The John Cole House has held the distinction, as being thought of most often as Bonnie & Clyde's last Hideout.

It's an interesting thought to many, that the old Cole house would've been chosen as a suitable location for B&C to hold up. Sure it was abandoned, which made it a good candidate for a hideout-- but "why" it was abandoned, perhaps should have given the strangers within it pause to think. The house had been vacant, since the death of Otis's father John Cole 4 years earlier. However it was also known, that Otis's mother Jessie Ann and 2 sisters had died there from an outbreak of Tuberculosis. One photo which accompanies this post, shows the interior of the Cole House from the time of Bonnie & Clyde, depicting furniture and personal belongings still within this abandoned farm house. This type of home which was known to have had 4 bedrooms, was considered a "dog run" house-- in that it's center hallway design would allow dogs once having entered, to roam the house via it's central hall.


Bonnie & Clyde's Sailes Hideout has been touched on within some B&C books and articles, but with so little known-- I'm not sure it can be said this topic has been fully explored. The ambush posse members were said to have known where the hideout was, and to have visited it in search of Bonnie & Clyde. But in a rural area as tightly knit as Bienville Parish, Louisiana-- the locals too were apparently well aware of the strangers who walked among them, the fancy new V-8 automobile which traveled it's roads-- and the woman with red hair, who wore red dresses and accompanied one of the other strangers. Indeed it must be wondered, why Bonnie & Clyde would have felt even remotely safe-- seemingly so out of their element, and where their very presence, manner of conveyance and dress-- would inspire talk and notice from local citizens??

Among my dealings with other caring B&C Historians, I've discussed various theories and visited 2 of the suspected B&C Hideout locations in Sailes. But despite a number of possible hideout spots, I feel there may be a simple solution to where this hideout was. I say was-- as what's most commonly thought of as the Sailes Bonnie & Clyde Hideout (The John Cole House)-- it seems has been gone for many decades now. Rumors abound, as to when The John Cole House was destroyed-- some say having been deliberately torched. It's sometimes thought this home stood until the 1970's or 80's. Others feel it was felled long ago, to perhaps keep over zealous B&C types-- from imposing their curious natures on the locals, in search of this B&C shrine of sorts.

Based on interviews I've conducted with Professor Carroll Rich, I have little doubt this structure was destroyed well before the 1970's. In fact, based on recollections from Carroll's aunt Mildred Cole Lyons-- we are fortunate to know a number of facts concerning the John Cole House. Mildred Cole, who was a child at the time Bonnie & Clyde were slain-- was also the girl said to have fainted in viewing the dead body of Clyde Barrow through Clyde's driver's window, when the wrecker towing the death car broke down in front of the Gibsland school. With the crowd pressed so hard up against the car, it's said when Mildred fainted-- she fainted in place supported by the crowd and thus was unable to fall to the ground. Mildred Cole was familiar with The John Cole House, as she was known to have visited it many times while the house was still occupied. At some point and importantly, Mildred had also drawn a picture of the hideout-- which was later given to Carroll Rich.

Besides info from his aunt, Carroll learned of the purported hideout location from his father who hunted in those woods. Professor Rich told me he and his dad visited the former location of the hideout in about 1970. But just as with many B&C mysteries, this is where the conundrum deepens and Professor Rich's account gets interesting. Initially the directions as expressed to me by Carroll, seemed similar to the directions published in 1934-- in offering a route to the Cole House hideout. However Professor Rich also mentioned, he and his father needed to travel on horseback to reach the hideout site-- once having parked on the main road. Now I'm not sure how much the Sailes roads have changed since the 1970's, but I'm reasonably certain a horse wouldn't have been needed to reach the hideout site off of Route 516 as depicted on the '34 maps. In fact today, you can drive to this site quite easily. As one of the other purported hideout locations involves a more vertical ascent, I can say that a horse "would" be helpful-- in arriving at that particular site up in the Sailes hills. When I first interviewed Professor Rich about this, he didn't recall traveling up any steep hills. However more recently, Carroll couldn't say with certainty-- regarding this element of his trip, to the spot his father believed was the hideout location. So the plot thickens!!

A number of photographs of the John Cole House have been published over the years, although even to the most hardened B&C observer-- these images seem rare. Having been identified as The Cole House and B&C's Hideout, these photos were included within both a newspaper article published shortly after the ambush-- and a true crime magazine which hit newsstands in the fall of '34. Along with the photos published on these occasions, maps were also provided to pinpoint the hideout location. To me, unless the press was deliberately misled after the ambush-- these maps could hold the key to this mystery. In addition, since being published some 36 years after the ambush-- Professor Rich's articles provide us with vivid accounts, from witnesses who experienced the B&C saga-- Louisiana style. Included within these accounts is the story of Otis Cole, and his encounter with Ivy Methvin and the 2 other strangers believed to be Bonnie & Clyde. It's my understanding the Otis Cole story was related by Mildred Cole. Based on this account, an additional clue exists which I'll touch on later-- that may further aid in identifying The John Cole House location.

Interestingly during one of our conversations, Professor Rich, mentioned he had never seen a photo of the John Cole House. At one point however, he did possess the picture of The Cole House-- as drawn by Mildred Cole. Having photos in hand which Dr. Rich hadn't viewed, I felt presented a unique opportunity in forming my questions-- and for use in comparison to Carroll's recollections. I asked Carroll to please describe the location he visited, remnants of the house and any particulars he could remember from the '70s when he visited there. Although the house itself was gone, he described the broken vestiges of 2 chimneys (piles of bricks spaced apart)-- which were still present to note the former existence of a house with 2 opposing chimneys. His aunt said The Cole House had a center hall and front porch, as well as chimneys at either end. Carroll mentioned the house faced north, and was located not 50 yards from the road. When I later e-mailed photos of the John Cole House to Professor Rich, he said the photos looked exactly like the hand drawn picture from his aunt Mildred.

Also in having images of the 1934 maps showing the location of the hideout-- I'd asked Carroll Rich to please describe where he traveled in getting to this location?? An aside here is important, to set the lay of the land. In 1934, the ambush road now known as Louisiana Route 154-- was a gravel topped Louisiana Hwy 418. In traveling south about 2 miles past the ambush site on this road, you would arrive at a crossroads often called the Sailes corner. The road which intersected old LA 418 (modern day 154)-- is still called Louisiana Route 516. Although this road was widened and seemingly topped in the mid to late '30's-- in 1934, Route 516 was a winding dirt road through the Louisiana woods.

Professor Rich described traveling past the ambush site for some distance, and then parking with his father to take the horses from there. They then proceeded into the woods (perhaps a half mile)-- to their destination. Carroll said the location of the house said to be the B&C's hideout, was right there facing you as you turned off the path they took. As you'll note from the '34 maps, the route to the hideout followed a similar trek south past the ambush site-- but then turned left onto the "1st" road noted which proceeded both east and west, where Route 516 would be. Then you'd be guided a mile and a half down that road heading east, to the hideout site which was shown on the right. 3 structures are noted on one of the maps where the hideout is marked. Myself and others, believe these structures could be The Mamie Murphy House, Otis Cole House, and John Cole House.

Although not identified as such on these olden maps, those familiar with the ambush area-- will note that turnoff (identified as being 1 1/2 miles down that long road on one map and 1 1/3 miles on the other)-- as being the Mamie Murphy Road. The Mamie Murphy House still stands from the time of B&C-- as does the Otis Cole House nearby. The Mamie Murphy House is still inhabited, whereas the Otis Cole House is abandoned and being re-claimed by the nature around it a little more each year. Photos of the Otis Cole House which I took in 2009 can be viewed below.

An important note here-- in Carroll Rich's depiction of the Otis Cole story, he and Odie "walked" to his father's house through the woods to encounter Ivy Methvin and presumably Bonnie and Clyde. If the John Cole House was located as shown on the maps near those other structures at that 516 turnoff, walking to that house for Otis and Odie would've been easy-- as The Otis Cole House sits perhaps a half mile away down the Mamie Murphy Road and then Otis Cole Road from that location. This is the clue I mentioned before, which may be a vital insight in helping sort out this mystery. As 2 of the other proposed B&C Hideout locations would be either a good hike up into the hills, or easily 2 to 3 miles away in a different direction-- to me this account of easy travel to the John Cole House, lends support to the Mamie Murphy Road location being the correct one.

Although at times so little seems assured within B&C History, as you study the maps and photos provided-- my feeling is the location about 3 and 1/2 miles from the ambush site, and out Route 516 may well have been the site of B&C's Hideout. A photograph not published here exists from the late '30's, showing both the old and new Route 516-- as well as what could have been the remains of The John Cole House-- right near The Mamie Murphy House as supported by evidence from the '30's and later.

I feel in order to disprove this as The Cole House location, one would need to ask why when info was fresh in 1934-- photos of this specific Cole House were taken and identified as B&C's Hideout?? Then to have the eyewitness account of Mildred Cole, who it's said was familiar with The Cole House and who also drew a picture of this house which matched the photos published-- legitimizes the evidence placing The John Cole House as The B&C Hideout. However interestingly and contrary to published guidance, Carroll Rich's account in needing to ride horses with his father to reach the hideout location-- may create more questions than it answers. His description of the remains he found (including the placement of trees at that site, which seem to match the '34 photos)-- appears consistent with the Cole house. But just where this house was located, seems to have always been the question.

A small note of importance but within an inquiry as this where every detail may be key, shouldn't be overlooked. As the Sun rises in the east and sets in the west, note the sun's rays as shining across the hideout's front porch in the 1st photo provided. The angle of these rays could indicate this house facing north, with that photo taken with the sun shining from the east in the morning. As Carroll Rich stated the Cole House faced north, I believe the sun's rays within that photo may help to verify that structure as The John Cole House.

So quite alot to chew on, but perhaps meaningful insights re: Bonnie and Clyde's Sailes Hideout. My thanks to Jimmy Ray Gillman and Tom Methvin, for paving the way through some Jim Jammin' research-- concerning so much to do with the Louisiana B&C connection including B&C's Hideout. By the way-- now "there" are 3 hombres pictured, if ever there were any. Also my thanks to Tom, for stellar images of the 1934 published photos and maps. In addition, I'm posting here a most timely and unique piece of video footage. Recently, Tom re-visited the ambush area and chronicled the trip noted here-- from the ambush site to what is affectionately known to some of us as Area B. Area B is the suspected B&C Hideout location at The Mamie Murphy Road. The photo of me at this spot, was taken in 2009 at B&C Festival time. I am pointing to the west, in the direction of The Sailes Corner crossroads. If all this modern detective work is correct, The John Cole House stood facing the camera-- at approximately what is now the tree line behind me.

While exploring there, I found what appear to be man made lumber (perhaps 2X4s)-- in 3 sets of straight lines buried in the ground. The frontal part of what could be foundation pieces-- measured about 40 feet long and the 2 sides measured about 20 feet each. These wooden lengths, formed right angles to one another. From my perspective, based on all the evidence combined-- there's not much doubt in my mind that The John Cole House (said to be Bonnie & Clyde's Hideout)-- stood on that spot. Others may disagree. Of course, what would a good B&C mystery be without controversy??

Some interesting caveats, to add some spice to these ideas-- as if there wasn't enough spice to go around in all of this. Before traveling to Gibsland in '09, I requested the land deed records of John Cole from the Bienville Parish Seat in Arcadia. Remarkably, what was known as The John Cole House if indeed located at the Mamie Murphy Road-- apparently didn't sit on John Cole's land. His 2 parcels, one of which was once shared with a brother were located elsewhere within the Parish. That's possible location #3-- or Area C. I've read that the house identified as The John Cole House, was known as such because he built it. But other published reports have John Cole and his family living in that house-- and at least a portion of his family dying in that house. That could make one wonder, why a house which was known because of John Cole-- wasn't on land which John Cole owned?? A good question. Now there "were" many Coles around with Cole houses to match. This fact, can only serve to heighten this mystery.

Another thing of note-- due to Ivy Methvin's involvement, it's been stated this spot was the Methvin Farm or Cabin. In fact, Ivy had only been within Bienville Parish for about 2 weeks prior to the ambush of Bonnie & Clyde. Prior to that, he had traveled from his home south of Sailes. Thus he was thought to have been squatting in the Cole House. That's said to be the reason, Otis Cole came out to see who was in his father's home. Rumors of the Cole House having been sold to Ivy-- who was planning to sell it to Clyde Barrow-- well that's "another" great B&C mystery of note.

After the ambush, Henry Barrow did admit to what had been rumored-- that Clyde did want to buy the Barrows a farm in Louisiana-- but that the papers were never signed. This report was seemingly verified by Barrow cousin Bailey Tynes within The Dallas FBI Files. My observation concerning this as it relates to B&C's Hideout, is in the form of a question. Should the Bienville Parish hideout location have been considered for a farm, logically-- wouldn't this land have been relatively flat?? In other words, how could an alternate location within steep hills, have been a good place to farm?? Therefore provided The John Cole House was indeed B&C's Hideout??-- I'm prone to believe the Mamie Murphy Road location for the hideout. One more interesting wrinkle-- B&C's Hideout has sometimes been described as having a tin roof. The John Cole House as believed pictured-- seemingly had a wooden roof. As there was surely truth concerning a B&C Hideout in Sailes-- heaven help us on that one.

Did others who lived in years past in Bienville Parish know better, so as to contradict documented accounts of the location of Bonnie & Clyde's Sailes Hideout?? As is often the case within B&C History-- you just never know. Here's that video link with thanks to Tom-- so you can experience the trip B&C might have taken to their hideout, if they hadn't been killed. Of course things now are not as they were in '34-- but this is about as close as we can get. When Tom exits his car where the hideout was said to have been and points his camera north-- if B&C hadn't arranged to meet Ivy Methvin farther down the Sailes Road, at what ended up being the lawman's position-- they could have taken that short cut to the hideout. http://www.youtube.com/user/meth222#p/u/6/vwDQLRriPQI

I hope you've enjoyed this look into Bonnie & Clyde's Sailes Louisiana Hideout. As always, I welcome your comments.

The August Bonnie & Clyde Polls-- A Surprisingly Challenging Batch Revealed

Well I guess you never know with the Bonnie & Clyde Polls. What to me were a group of B&C queries which took no more time than usual to form, and seemed benign to many-- ended up as perhaps the most challenging group of B&C polls to date. Admittedly, some of these latest B&C questions were built around well known perceptions-- which may have different realities than many believe. But that's so often the case with Bonnie & Clyde History. Some have commented that the B&C polls, help them learn about or clarify B&C events. As that seems a fitting sentiment for this go round-- lets have fun with this edition of The B&C Polls.

The Dallas FBI Files formed the basis for 4 of the August poll questions. As much information exists within this priceless archive which remained unseen by the public until fairly recently, I wholeheartedly recommend becoming familiar with this treasure trove of new B&C knowledge. What seemed like "end all" B&C info prior to this file's release, has been augmented and in some cases corrected-- by well documented accounts of B&C History, which date back to the time in which these events occurred.

Within a 6 page handwritten letter to Dallas Bureau of Investigation SAC Frank Blake penned in early May 1934-- Barrow cousin and Bureau informant Bailey Tynes told of his overhearing Cumie Barrow, her sister and niece speaking of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A Barrow relative Joe Walker was said to have lived there, and Bailey was alerting Agent Blake to the possibility that Colorado Springs may be a place for Bonnie & Clyde to hide out. Bailey also relayed info, that perhaps Clyde had visited Colorado within the previous year.

A May 5th, 1934 report from New Orleans SAC Whitley to Dallas SAC Blake-- provides details on two men named Williams and Drew, who it's believed may have harbored Bonnie & Clyde. Although one of these men was said to have been a bootlegger, it seems both were thought friends of Clyde-- and that info regarding them was deemed reliable.

Another Bureau of Investigation document dated May 8, 1934, tells of renown Agent Charles Winstead having interviewed Raymond Hamilton at the County jail in Dallas. This interview is noted to have occurred on May 4th, 1934. Ray stated that if he ever had the opportunity, he would kill Clyde Barrow. Hamilton also said he knew how to contact Clyde, but wouldn't divulge that info even to save himself from the electric chair. In addition, Ray stated that after separating from Clyde in Terre Haute, Indiana-- he met Clyde about a week before Easter Sunday at a lunch stand on a road in Decatur, Texas. According to Ray, at that time-- Clyde asked Hamilton when they were going to join up again. To which Ray told Clyde, they were never going to join again.

The Dallas Files also document-- that on May 16th, 1934 a San Antonio Texas Salesman named Tommy Anderson, was said to have informed San Antonio police chief Owen Kilday (good police name)-- that Anderson had positively identified Clyde Barrow in a car traveling nearby. This report triggered a series of events which involved L. G. Phares, Chief of the Texas Highway Patrol, an airplane and other common and uncommon police equipment in a manhunt-- which culminated in the capture of 2 brothers, Paul and Robert Amick. After being questioned, it was determined that the Amicks had nothing to do with The Barrow Gang, and they were released. Even before the apprehension of these men erroneously believed to be Barrow and an accomplice-- the Bureau noted that local San Antonio papers had reported that Barrow had escaped the police trap, and were being hotly pursued in the area of Thelma, Texas and points south of San Antonio.

September 12th, 1934 was the date Henry Methvin was added to the warrant for the murder of Cal Campbell.

And the best answer concerning the Buddy Goldston question-- was that his account of the ambush, made a shielding scenario of B&C by the wood pulp truck unlikely. That's because contrary to I think all other eyewitness accounts, Buddy claimed he was driving this famous logging truck north to south, "not" south to north. That's the same direction B&C were headed, as they approached the Sailes waylay. In fact when interviewed years later, Buddy claimed B&C had passed him prior to his coming upon the ambush scene. Therefore according to Goldston, he was "behind" B&C-- not facing them from the other direction. This discrepancy concerning the ambush, is one of the more fascinating aspects to this mysteriously less than well documented event. Also according to Goldston, there were 2 men riding on the load of the wood pulp truck-- not just one as other witnesses claimed, making for a total of 3 men on the truck-- not 2. To my knowledge, neither of these other 2 men were ever positively identified.

The way I look at this, surely Buddy Goldston knew which direction he was traveling that fateful day. Jim Knight advances the theory, that either some of the witnesses to the ambush were unsure of their facts-- or perhaps there could have been 2 trucks present that day, one coming from each direction?? Or to believe Ted Hinton's account, perhaps the cover up story got twisted around and told wrong-- and by that time the story stuck?? That's surely a possibility as well. As always with the ambush-- there seem to be many more questions than answers. In his account of the ambush, Henderson Jordan has the B&C death car coming to rest on the west side of the road. And Frank Hamer has the Warren car still moving at a fair rate of speed, as Ivy Methvin was supposed to have been talking with Bonnie & Clyde through the open window-- of a vehicle later found in 1st gear. Many aspects of the ambush accounts as we know them, don't make sense. So why should the direction the wood pulp truck was traveling-- be any different??

Regarding the Grapevine killings-- many B&C authors have described the 2 differing eyewitness accounts from both Mr. and Mrs. Fred Giggal and William Schieffer. Both Jim Knight and John Neal Phillips do a commendable job in sorting out this event. John Neal Philips points out that based on having viewed the Grapevine scene from a considerable distance, during the time of the investigation-- Mr. Schieffer was never able to identify Bonnie or Clyde from police mugshots, not to mention Henry Methvin. In fact remarkably, Schieffer would later identify Bonnie's sister Billie Mace and Floyd Hamilton as being the shooters.

John goes on to criticize Schieffer's account as stated within the controversial book I'm Frank Hamer. By the time the Hamer book was published, Bonnie & Clyde were clearly fingered by Schieffer, who had miraculously improved his vantage point-- from his porch where he was originally noted to have been, to get close enough to overhear Bonnie Parker's words in allegedly finishing off one of the officers and joking about it. Many inconsistencies have been observed, concerning that perhaps self serving chronicle of Frank Hamer-- where the Schieffer account, is but one example of some seemingly blatant literary inventiveness.

And finally page 160 of Winston Ramsey's book, was the location of the text from the Kansas City Star article, concerning Buck Barrow. According to this news account, Sheriff Bash of Kansas City was told "The Wounded man said he was shot in the head Thursday morning in the battle at Platte City while firing from inside one of the cabins." So contrary to popular belief, movie portrayals and other known accounts-- Buck being hit while making a dash for the car at the Red Crown, seems to have had a contrary version told. Even though claimed to be the words of Buck Barrow, as this account seems to contradict the statements of others and B&C lore (whether true or untrue)-- I would like to find a corroborating piece of evidence to back this account, rather than just a second hand report.

So there you have it-- the August B&C Polls. A challenging batch, concerning some well tread B&C misconceptions. Even the most seasoned B&C experts around here, had trouble with these. Look for more polls to be posted for September. As always-- thanks for your participation in the B&C Polls.