Stories of the Old West: Bonnie and Clyde
Posted by Ranger Point Team on Aug 19th 2021
Introduction
On the morning of May 23, 1934, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker drove their Ford sedan down a back road in Louisiana and straight into an ambush. This famous couple's story still entertains us from Hollywood to this day.
Bonnie and Clyde crisscrossed the Midwest, chased by law enforcement across eight states. They stole cars, robbed banks and gas stations, took hostages, and gunned down police officers and innocent bystanders along the way.
Interesting facts about Bonnie and Clyde:
- Bonnie was portrayed as a rough woman who smoked cigars by the media after police found a photo of her posing with one. Evidence supports that she did not smoke cigars but smoked cigarettes, and the photo’s validity is in question.
- They didn't always kill the police officers and other people they came across. They often took hostages and released them far from the kidnapping location. They often left the hostage with a little money to get back home.
- One such hostage was an undertaker, from whom they stole a car. Bonnie joked about him taking care of their bodies when they died, and this man did assist in embalming them after the shootout.
- Bonnie wore a wedding ring and was married, but not to Clyde. Her husband was in prison for murder.
Stories: Myths or Truths
The exploits of Bonnie and Clyde took place during the depression era, and perhaps this is one reason the stories are as much myth as truth. They're often portrayed as a romantic couple in stylish clothes who didn't fear the police and lived a glamorous life on the run.
The truth is a bit harsher. Bonnie and Clyde, along with their companions, known as the Barrow gang, lived a hard, uneasy life. They suffered injuries, had narrow escapes, bungled robberies, and murder.
Their end was dramatic and bloody, which added excitement to their legend. A posse led by Texas Ranger Frank Hamer set a trap for them along the highway near Sailes, Louisiana.
When Bonnie and Clyde appeared in the infamous Ford, the officers opened fire. First with the automatic rifles, then the shotguns, and then the pistols. They were not taking any chances.
The officers fired approximately 130 rounds into the Ford V8 Barrow was driving. The bullet-ridden car was later exhibited at fairs and carnivals for months after the shooting.
Conclusion
Our American history is full of good and bad, and Bonnie and Clyde are right at home with the most notorious outlaws in our history. For many of us, preserving our American history is important. Just as preserving our pride in American quality is important. At Ranger Point Precision, we honor your need for dependable firearms parts made with the high standards you expect from us.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How old were Bonnie and Clyde when they got shot?
Bonnie and Clyde were 23 and 25 years old respectively when they were gunned down by authorities in a hail of bullets on May 23, 1934. The young couple had been on the run for two years, during which time they pulled off numerous bank robberies and other crimes across the United States.
Who hunted Bonnie and Clyde down?
On May 23, 1934, Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed by a posse of law enforcement officers as they drove down a country road in Louisiana. The officers opened fire on the car, killing both Bonnie and Clyde instantly.
How many bullet holes were in Bonnie and Clyde's car?
Based on actual film footage which was taken by one of the deputy officers immediately after the ambush show 112 bullets holes in Bonnie and Clyde’s car. The Morning Advocate newspaper estimated that there may have been as many as 250 bullet holes. Ballistics experts believe that Bonnie and Clyde were struck by gunfire from at least six different weapons, including a Thomas submachine gun, Winchester rifles, and pistols.