The Morbidly Fascinating Page

THIS MONTH'S SUBJECT: THE REAL BONNIE AND CLYDE

IN THE ARCHIVES: Circus Sideshow Freaks from the late 1800s to early 1900s

Death Car Exhibit

The Real Bonnie and Clyde

Bonnie Parker: Born October 1, 1910; died May 23, 1934

Clyde Chestnut Barrow aka Clyde Champion Barrow: Born March 24, 1909; died May 23, 1934

Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow collaborated on nationwide crime spree from 1932 until their deaths in 1934. Bonnie met Clyde in West Dallas, Texas in January 1930 and the pair combined to commit thirteen murders, numerous kidnappings, and several burglaries and robberies. The FBI and many local law enforcement agencies engaged in one of the largest manhunts in United States history, looking for Bonnie and Clyde.

The car in which Bonnie and Clyde were killed was a 1934 Ford V8. The car was stolen from the driveway of Jesse and Ruth Warren in Topeka, Kansas. After the shoot out, the Ford V8 was returned to the Warrens. Later the car was sold for $3,000 and exhibited at state fairs and carnivals. Eventually the death car was obtained for $250,000 by the Primm Valley Resort and Casino.

Bonnie and Clyde have captured the imagination of every subsequent generation. Their lasting appeal is something of a mystery. Some factors might include:

• Their crime spree included several bank robberies at the height of the Great Depression. Banks were extremely unpopular in that era because of frequent foreclosures and bank failures.
• Their nomadic nature.
• Rugged individualism.
• David and Goliath.
• Romeo and Juliet.
• Rooting for the underdog

http://www.jeffreysward.com/tributes/bonclyx.htm