Infamous Outlaws Bonnie And Clyde: Texas Shootout Anniversary

On this day in 1934, the Wild West met its match as legendary Texas outlaws Bonnie and Clyde met their fate in a hail of bullets. But beyond the Hollywood glamor, their story is woven with Texas-sized twists and turns that continue to captivate to this day.

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, sometime between 1932 and 1934, when their exploits in Arkansas included murder, robbery, and kidnapping. Contrary to popular belief the two never married. They were in a longstanding relationship. Posing in front of a 1932 Ford V8 automobile. Recovered from Bonnie and Clyde after their deaths on May 23, 1934.

Texas Outlaws

Get our free mobile app

Texas Rangers vs. Bonnie and Clyde

In a legendary showdown reminiscent of a Western movie, Texas Ranger Frank Hamer orchestrated the roadside ambush that brought Bonnie and Clyde's crime spree to a dramatic end. Outside Gibsland, Louisiana, Hamer and his posse unloaded a staggering 167 bullets, marking the final chapter in the outlaws' infamous tale. But it was the Lone Star State's own Hamer who orchestrated the climactic takedown, cementing his status as a Texas legend.

Frank Hamer (right) stands with Manny Gault, holding two of the firearms conviscated in the aftermath of the shooting of Bonnie and Clyde.

Mighty Morphin' Texas Rangers

From Roadside Ambush to Public Display

Bonny and Clydes car (1932 Ford V-8), riddled with bullet holes after the ambush. Picture taken by FBI investigators on May 23, 1934

Riddled With Bullets

After the dust settled on that fateful day, Bonnie and Clyde's bodies were transported to Arcadia before finding their final resting place. But true to their larger-than-life personas, their journey didn't end there. Their corpses were put on public display in Dallas, drawing crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the infamous duo. It was a spectacle fitting for the Texas outlaws whose exploits had captured the imagination of the nation.

Replica of the Ford V8 in which Bonnie and Clyde died, made for the the film Bonnie and Clyde, on display at the National Museum of Crime & Punishment, Washington, D.C.By greyloch - https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11730301

Rip-Roarin' Replica

Get our free mobile app

Texas Roots Run Deep

By Undeveloped photographs, left behind by the gang at a hide out, were taken as evidence by lawmen. Recovered from Bonnie and Clyde after their deaths on May 23, 1934. Credit FBI. - FBI, UPI, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12309521

The Dastardly Duo

Despite their demise, Bonnie and Clyde's legacy endures, deeply rooted in the soil of the Lone Star State. From their humble beginnings in Texas to their daring escapades across state lines, their story is a testament to the spirit of adventure and rebellion that defines the Texas ethos. Today, their legend lives on in museums, books, and folklore, forever immortalized as symbols of the untamed Texan spirit.

Get our free mobile app

So there you have it, folks! On this historic day, let's tip our hats to Bonnie and Clyde, the Texas outlaws whose legend continues to captivate and inspire. Ride on, cowboys and cowgirls, and keep the spirit of the Wild West alive!

10 Things You May Have Forgotten About Angelina Jolie's High-Speed Shootout on 787

Remember When Angelina Jolie Got Into a High-Speed Shootout on 787?

Gallery Credit: Brian Cody TSM Albany

The Real Wild West Outlaws of Oklahoma

In the years before Oklahoma gained statehood, there was a major shift happening trying to convert the wilds of Indian Territory into a mild-mannered turn-of-the-century metropolitan place. It's amazing how many of America's famed outlaws made headlines in our state.

Gallery Credit: Kelso