ALONG THE WAY – THE END OF THE ROAD

The end of the road was May 23, 1934.  It had begun about two years earlier.  What it was, was the end of what perhaps was the most infamous crime sprees in American history.  Along the way cars were stolen, banks and stores were robbed, and 13 people were killed, nine of them law enforcement officers. The end was about eight miles south of Gibsland, Louisiana.

We were visiting our former pastor and his wife who live in Homer, Louisiana.  We had driven to Gibsland to see where he is currently pastoring and have lunch at the Gibsland Grill.  If you are ever in Gibsland on a Sunday Be sure and stop in at First Baptist Church.  You are sure to be encouraged.  You would also do well to stop in at the Gibsland Grill.  The food was great!  After lunch that day Big O, our friend’s nickname, asked if we would like to see the place where Bonnie and Clyde had met their end.  I had not realized it had happened nearby but was ready to go see the place.

The Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had hundreds of agents searching for Bonnie and Clyde.  The Texas Governor, Ma Ferguson, approved the calling of retired Texas Ranger, Frank Hammer, out of retirement to lead Texas’ efforts to apprehend the infamous couple.  Three months later Hammer had tracked Bonnie and Clyde to Louisiana and laid a trap for their capture.  In the early morning hours of May 23, 1934 Bonnie and Clyde were killed in a shootout with Texas and Louisiana law enforcement officers. An estimated 20,000 people attended Bonnie Parkers funeral and an estimated 15,000 Attended Clyde Barrows funeral.

The site is about eight miles south of Gibsland, Louisiana along highway 154 on the right side of the road.  There are two monuments there.  One commemorating the death of Bonnie and Clyde the other honoring to lawmen who were involved in the shootout.  Over the years people have chipped away pieces of granite from the original monument taking souvenirs.  But they also leave things when they visit.  On the day we were there, artificial flowers were laying at the base of the monument.  Laying on top of it was a cigarette, what I think was a vape cartridge, a tube of Bert’s Bees, an empty Jack Daniels bottle, numerous stones, spent shells, a bullet, and key, and various other items.  After having visited this site we were inspired to watch 1967 movie, “Bonnie and Clyde” and the 2019 movie “The Highwaymen.”  It is an interesting story and interesting stop along the way.