Crooks dont like even odds. . As this was going on, McMeans henchman, H.E. In his later years, the mere presence of Frank Hamer seemed to ensure a peaceful outcome in a tense situation. Two guards were shot by the escapees during the breakout, guard Major Crowson fatally. Hamer's wife, Gladys, was so incensed that she sued Warner Brothers for defamation, invasion of privacy and unauthorized use of Frank Hamer's name. He left one week before Miriam "Ma" Ferguson recaptured the governor's office for a second term. As Frank Hamer walked back out of the station, he came face to face with Gee McMeans, who had a .45 ACP pistol in his hand and quickly shot Hamer in the shoulder. Hamer was a Ranger off and on throughout his adult life, resigning often to take other jobs. While Hamer was plowing one day, McSwain appeared with a shotgun and shot him in the back and the head. In February 1934, Lee Simmons, the General Manager of the Texas Prison System, assigned the task of hunting down gangsters Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow to Francis Hamer. Hamer along with other deputies called for the pairs surrender, but with a car load of weapons at the ready Bonnie and Clyde made a move toward those weapons. Now, admittedly, Hamer had his hands full, but it appears that he was not aware of the additional threat until the shotgun was fired. Robert McNeal (1738-1818) & Jean Baker (1741-1818) Descendants Outline Chart 1 Robert McNeal 1738 - 1818. As McMeans reached Hamer he drew his pistol and Frank reacted instinctively grabbing the weapon. Hamer married Gladys Johnson while she and her brother, Emmett, were under indictment for killing Gladys' ex-husband, Ed. In fact, the whole fight might never have happened. Four years later, when Miriam "Ma" Ferguson was elected as the state governor, Hamer resigned from the Rangers, refusing to serve under a woman. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Here are five cool new things we saw at the 2023 SHOT Show. Sims' son-in-law, Gee McMeans, led an attack in Sweetwater and shot Billy Johnson's bodyguard, Frank Hamer, twice, while Gladysby now Mrs. Hamerfired at another assassin. Hamer also led the fight in Texas against the Ku Klux Klan, starting in 1922, as senior captain of the Texas Rangers, and he is believed to have saved at least 15people from lynch mobs. Frank Hamer was not afraid to wade into trouble, but occasionally learned a hard lesson doing so. But Frank pushed Harrisons rifle barrel up and told him not to shoot a man in the back. But, you can rest assured that their lives were never the same after that bloody day in Sweetwater. - Frank A. Hamer, Jr. was born April 11, 1918, in Pasadena, California, to Frank and Gladys Hamer. Luxury Holiday Cabin in the Trossachs. Texas Ranger Frank Hamer is best known for helping to end the careers of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. "I hated to shoot a womanbut I remembered the way in which Bonnie had taken part in the murder of nine peace officers. Dynamiting trees was illegal and logging crews were angered at the sound, thinking that someone was violating the ban. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, As Barrow and Parker breathed their last breath, the entire country breathed a sigh of relief. While the gunfight was in progress there was a Nolan County Grand Jury in session. "[23], Hamer examined the pattern of Barrow's movements, discovering that he essentially made a wide circle through the lower Midwest, skirting state borders wherever he could to take advantage of the fact that law officers could not pursue suspects across state lines. Woody Harrelson plays Maney Gault. Frank had been warned that Gee McMeans would be waiting for them in Sweetwater. He shared his philosophy on gun fighting with an interviewer once. Lt. Dan Marcou is an internationally-recognized police trainerwho was a highly-decorated police officer with 33 years of full-time law enforcement experience. The smart move would have been to avoid going through the town at all. In 1917, romance threw Frank Hamer into a first-class Texas feud. Enter https://www.police1.com/ and click OK. There is a problem with your email/password. Historical Person Search Search Search Results Results Gladys Hamer (1910 - Unknown) Try FREE for 14 days Try FREE for 14 days. The route to their home in Snyder took them through Sweetwater. On May 12, 1917, Hamer married Gladys Johnson who had two daughters from a previous marriage. In the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, Hamer is portrayed by Denver Pyle. In the early years Frank rode trails near the Rio Grande, captured rustlers, smugglers, bootleggers and bandits with Company C of the Texas Rangers, Captained by John H. Rogers. With the tide turned, the ambushers appeared to flee the battlefield. This article was previouslypublished in Shooting Illustrated. That said, the overpowering urge should always be to find a way to avoid trouble whenever it is the least bit possible. [31], In mid-March, Henry Methvin's family contacted Bienville Parish Sheriff Henderson Jordan about their son, his legal troubles, and his involvement with Barrow. Frank Hamer was born in 1884 in Fairview, Wilson County, Texas, where his father operated a blacksmith shop. Frank convalesced for some time and when he was healthy he saddled his horse and sought out McSwain, who when found said, I thought I killed you.. And, second, you can miss with a shotgunthey do have to be aimed if one is expecting to get hits. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Family & Personal Life Francis Hamer exchanged wedding vows with Gladys (ne Johnson) Sims in 1917. Guinn p. 410. no long lead-times: sentinel ARV builds available, When criminals were at their worst, Frank Hamer was at his best. Hamer began his career in law enforcement in 1905 while working on the Carr Ranch in West Texas when he captured a horse thief. Frank Hamer willfully and deliberately pursued some of the most dangerous criminals of his day. Copyright 2023 Police1. But, you can rest assured that their lives were never the same after that bloody day in Sweetwater. They raised her two girls and two boys of their own, one of whom, Frank Jr., was a friend of mine. [22] Simmons said that he wouldn't presume to tell Hamer how to do his job, but he suggested that Hamer "put 'em on the spot, know you're rightand shoot everybody in sight. They made an impromptu plan to kill their dangerous nemesis. Frank had been warned that Gee McMeans would be waiting for them in Sweetwater. In 1921, following his transfer to Headquarters Company in Austin, Hamer was made the Senior Ranger Captain. Living Room; Master Bedroom; Bedroom Two; Blog TX Ranger Frank Hamer. Simmons persuaded Hamer to hunt down the Barrow Gang. According to Ranger historian Ben Proctor, two former Ranger captains later said that Simmons had approached each of them first, and that they each turned him down for the identical reason: "We don't ambush people, and we don't kill women." In 1918, State Representative Jos Toms Canales was helming an investigation into the alleged abuse of the residents of the Rio Grande Valley by several Rangers. . Alcorn had picked up 16 year-old Clyde in West Dallas for stealing chickens, though he did not arrest him. Hinton remembered Bonnie from the Dallas caf where she had waited tables four years before. During his career Frank Hamer mastered and carried many firearms, but his personal favorite was Old Lucky, a Single Action Colt 45, C-engraved 4 blued revolver with pearl handles. The world's oldest and largest privately owned firearms training facility decides to build a defensive pistol, with spectacular results. Barrow stopped his car at the ambush spot and the posse's 150-round fusillade was so thunderous that people for miles around thought a logging crew had used dynamite to fell a huge tree. Marcous awards include Police Officer of the Year, SWAT Officer of the Year, Humanitarian of the Yearand Domestic Violence Officer of the Year. Hamer and the Rangers escaped the building, but could not reach Hughes, who had been locked in the vault for his safety. She didnt hit anyone and didnt affect the outcome of the fight one single bit. By the time he accepted the job of tracking down the Barrow gang in 1934, he had worked in law enforcement for nearly three decades. Frank chose to ignore the warning but he did strap on a second gun, his Smith & Wesson .44 Spl. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FrankHamerEarly1920s.jpg, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BydQmNM7aJ0. Search above to list available cemeteries. There was a problem getting your location. [17] He was wounded 17 times during his life and left for dead four times. With the deeds done and all witnesses now deceased, no one will ever know for sure, because in life Frank adamantly refused to rehash his gunfights. He fired at Hamers head from close range and missed his whole head, but shredded Franks Stetson. 11, Ed. Hamer's wife Gladys not only shouted ?Look out!? He was at home on the open Texas prairie and understood the signs and patterns of nature. He fired at Hamers head from close range and missed his whole head, but shredded Franks Stetson. Lexipol. In 1914, he became a deputy sheriff in Kimble County and served as the department's livestock theft investigator. Try again later. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. In fact, the whole fight might never have happened. Crooks dont like even odds. He joined Captain John H. Rogers' Company C in Alpine, Texas, on April 21, 1906, and began patrolling the Mexican border. Hamer retired in 1949 and lived in Austin until his death. Frank Hamer had one such one shot gun fight in Sweetwater Texas. The swarm of bullets buzzed by Phillips head and caused him to fire wildly striking nothing but the brim of Franks hat. She is 10 years younger than Kevin Costner, who plays her husband Frank. In the 1930s, he was employed by various oil companies and shippers as a strike breaker. In a supreme example of the swiftness of Texas justice, while Frank was being treated by the Doctor for his wounds the Grand Jury convened in the matter of the death of McMeans. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. As this was going on, McMeans henchman, H.E. Stopping at a gas station in Sweetwater, Frank went in to get a tire fixed while Harrison and Emmett hunted for a restroom. Frank Hamer and Gladys stayed together for the rest of Franks life. [45] He was buried near his son Billy in Memorial Park Cemetery in Austin. The Rangers had to deal with several types of criminals in the area, including arms smugglers, bootleggers, and bandits. McMeans was a former Texas Ranger and sheriff of Ector County, and he and Hamer "were clinched"; McMeans died of a shot to the heart and Hamer was wounded. Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Parker, Emma Krause, Nell Barrow Cowan and Jan I. Make sure that the file is a photo. He entered i According to a 2019 Washington Post movie review by activist Monica Muoz Martinez, Hamer supposedly stalked Canales in the capital and Samuel Ealy Johnson Jr., father of future President Lyndon B. Johnson, was among those who escorted Canales to the early 1919 hearings. Home; About The Cabin. One of Hamer's many Remington Model 8's displayed at the Texas Ranger Museum includes this fine engraved model. Here are five cool new things we saw at the 2023 SHOT Show. With one hand holding the .45, Hamer used his other hand to beat McMeans about the face. A slide cut for optics, a threaded barrel and a 22 round magazine are the icing on a 5.7x28mm cake. They were on a car trip and they pulled into town with a flat tire. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. The route to their home in Snyder . Cu MIX za . Simmons then turned his attention to restoring the reputation of the Texas prison system. When Hamer returned to work for the Rangers in 1915, he was assigned the duty of patrolling the south Texas border from the Big Bend to Brownsville. interacts online and researches product purchases Ralph Fults heard the story from one of the Rangers in 1948. As Frank was struggling to get Hamer slapped the gun down and it went off a second time, hitting him in the thigh. [35][notes 4] The posse fired off another 100-plus rounds, any number of which would have been fatal to Parker and also to Barrow. [notes 1] Hamer balked at the compensation of $180 a month, less than half his current pay,[22] but Simmons reiterated that Hamer would collect his fair share of the reward money. The Sheriff, who was much impressed, recommended Frank for the Texas Rangers. [17], In September 1948, he was called back to Ranger duty to play a small role in the notorious 1948 United States Senate election in Texas. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. Phillips, ran up to the struggling pair with his shotgun. It is also a good idea to realize that dangerous encounters can occur with people who are known to us. As Frank Hamer walked back out of the station, he came face to face with Gee McMeans, who had a .45 ACP pistol in his hand and quickly shot Hamer in the shoulder. The world's oldest and largest privately owned firearms training facility decides to build a defensive pistol, with spectacular results. In 1906 Frank Hamer joined the storied Texas Rangers. Texas Ranger Frank Hamer is best known for helping to end the careers of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. Steele, Phillip W. and Marie Barrow Scoma (2000). [28] Another story stated that a cigar butt "bearing tiny teethmarks" was found in the gravel. This article, "Frank Hamer's Sweetwater Fight,"appeared originally as aStraight Talk column in the November 2017 issue of Shooting Illustrated. [33], State, local, and other sources had pledged money to the Barrow reward fund which brought the pre-ambush total to some $26,000, but most reneged on their pledges. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. His first was memorable. When Frank declined the offer to become a hired killer, McSwain warned him not to tell anyone about his offer or Frank and his brother would be dead men. When we talk about personal defense, we may spend too much time talking about attacks from criminals who are not known to us. Francis Augustus Hamer (March 17, 1884 - July 10, 1955) was an American lawman and Texas Ranger who led the 1934 posse that tracked down and killed criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. We have set your language to Gladys Hamer (1884-1967) Actress + Add or change photo on IMDbPro Gladys Hamer was born on May 27, 1884 in Sparkbrook, Birmingham, England. Hamer brought in fellow former Ranger Maney Gault who had resigned from the Ranger force when "Ma" Ferguson was elected and now worked for the Texas Highway Patrol. This reality should also be considered when we are formulating our own personal defense plans. Hamer and Gault are reluctant to get involved in the case at first, but once they . This reality should also be considered when we are formulating our own personal defense plans. "[18] The commander of the Texas Rangers allowed him to retain a Special Ranger commission as an active Senior Ranger Captain even after his official retirement. GREAT NEWS! Harrison Hamer fired, but Frank knocked the barrel down, causing Harrison to miss. Francis Hamer is one of the 31 inductees to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. Akce tdne. Try again. We might look at just one of his many encounters and see what we can learn from it that will be beneficial to us in our own personal defense. He was also employed as a wrangler on Barry Ketchums horse ranch. Phillips ran for it. Not to mention, tactically, it is just not a good idea to walk into a trap when you suspect that it is there waiting for you. A pistol fight ensued and McMeans, who was a former Texas Ranger and sheriff of Ector County, was killed, while Hamer was wounded. Copyright 2023 In fact, the whole fight might never have happened. As Hamer dropped to the ground, stunned, both of his attackers ran to their nearby car. As this was going on, McMeans henchman, H.E. In minutes it returned a no bill, ruling Frank Hamers killing of McMeans was an act of self defense. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Frank Hamer was one of the most famous and controversial members of the Texas Rangers during his long career in law enforcement in the first half of the 20th century. [11] They got into a borrowed car and drove away from Sherman, later regrouping at the sheriff's office. The swarm of bullets buzzed by Phillips' head and caused him to fire wildly striking nothing but the brim of Frank's hat. Hamer's wife Gladys, portrayed as sweet and demure in "The Highwaymen" seems to have had a questionable past. An officer must know the habits of the outlaw, how he thinks and how he will act in different situations. He attempted to protect a black rape suspect from a mob of 6,000 in 1930 in Sherman, Texas, but they burned down the courthouse with the detainee still inside. You can always change this later in your Account settings. The late Frank Hamer Jr., a preteen then, remembered Gault being as "smooth as satin with a pistol," but also proficient on the guitar. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Additionally, we see the effects of tunnel vision on our awareness in a chaotic situation. Although his formal education ended after the sixth grade, as a youth he displayed several unusual abilities, including an extremely high level of intelligence and a near eidetic memory. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). The ambush at the end of the film is suggested as his personal revenge. "[24], In the next couple of months, Barrow, Parker, and Henry Methvin robbed banks in Lancaster, Texas, Poteau, Oklahoma, and the Iowa towns of Rembrandt, Knierim, Stuart, and Everly. in Aktuality. Hamer, who had recently married W.A. She received $20,000 from the studios as a settlement, a large sum of money at the time. Additionally, we see the effects of tunnel vision on our awareness in a chaotic situation. A .357 Magnum small frame revolver that's optics-ready from Day One. Sheriff Jordan and his deputy Prentiss Oakley, an excellent marksman, were the first to join the posse. A smaller double-stack 9mm pistol with all the great features you've come to expect from Staccato. The Johnson family had the support of the Hamer brothers, Frank and Harrison, while the Sims family relied on ex-sheriff and ex-Texas Ranger Gee McMeans. With this many gun toters, the stage was set for trouble. Phillips was able to approach very close to Hamer with a shotgun. Managed by: Colonel Joel Andrew Hawkins, Vie. In Case Three, which occurred almost 100 years ago in Sweetwater, Texas, hitmen attempted to assassinate famed Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, who was with his wife Gladys at the time. As Frank Hamer walked back out of the station, he came face to face with Gee McMeans, who had a .45 ACP pistol in his hand and quickly shot Hamer in the shoulder. Best Quality Product Distributor - Worldwide All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. The Johnson and Sims families were prominent ranch families in West Texas and both were used to having their own way about things. Finally, throughout the whole encounter, Gladys was leaning out of the car window, shooting at McMeans and Phillips with her Colt Pocket Auto until it was empty. At one point there was trouble brewing when Frank pulled up to a polling place where two groups of armed men were facing off. In October of 1917, while on their way home from a court date, Frank's traveling companions are his wife, Gladys (who is three months pregnant), his brother, Harrison, Gladys' brother, Emmett Johnson, and Emmett's wife, Rocky. In 1922, he helmed several operations against the Ku Klux Klan and reportedly saved 15 people from being lynched. Simply having a gun doesnt get the job done, nor is employing it quicklyyou have to be able to shoot it accurately as well as rapidly. Drag images here or select from your computer for Ida Gladys Johnson Hamer memorial. [32][notes 2] The two deputies and Schmid had tried to ambush Bonnie and Clyde in late November 1933 near Sowers, Texas. We collect and match historical records that Ancestry users have contributed to their family trees to create each person's profile. Because Bonnie and Clyde were always heavily armed with automatic weapons and they had already killed 10 law enforcement officers, Frank sought and received help. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. With one hand holding the .45, Hamer used his other hand to beat McMeans about the face. Hamer appreciated the fact that Maney was from a "Travis County pioneer family." As neighbors in the Riverside area of Austin, Hamer and Gault became tight, as did their feisty wives, Gladys and Rebecca. Such was the case at Sweetwater, TX. However, he was a lawman of one kind or another for many years and engaged in many shootings. And, second, you can miss with a shotgunthey do have to be aimed if one is expecting to get hits. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, Frank Hamers Sweetwater Fight: Lessons Learned, Fightin' Iron: The Origin of Semi-Auto Tactical Rifles, Dapper & Deadly: The Life of FBI Special Agent Jelly Bryce, Stress And Fine Motor Skills | An Official Journal Of The NRA, What Does "Brandishing" a Gun Mean? But Frank pushed Harrisons rifle barrel up and told him not to shoot a man in the back. Hamer's wife Gladys not only shouted "Look out!" to Frank, but the love of Frank's life filled her hand with a pocket Colt and opened fire on Phillips. One is that, just because you have been shot, it doesnt mean that you have lost the fightwhen the threat continues, a smart man keeps fighting. [47], Kevin Costner portrays Hamer in the 2019 Netflix original film The Highwaymen, which was released to theaters for a short run and began streaming in March 2019. In 1918, Hamer physically threatened State Representative Jos Toms Canales, who was leading an investigation into Texas Rangers accused of abusing residents of the Rio Grande Valley. He left the Rangers in 1911 to become City Marshall for Navasota Texas, but he rejoined the Rangers in 1915. Gladys stayed in the car. In 1933, Frank Hamer retired as a Captain from the Texas Rangers, but because of his reputation he was sought after as a peace officer where there was no peace, a bodyguard where someone was in dire danger, and probably most notably as a man hunter, when the safety of the community dictated that someone needed to be captured. Some came along peacefully, but many who chose to fight this righteously dangerous lawman, lost, Texas Ranger Captain Bill McDonald was talking about men like Frank Hamer, when he said, No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow thats in the right and keeps on-a-coming.. This page was last edited on 6 October 2022, at 20:40. Your email address will not be published. ", "The Highwaymen Is a Pleasant Throwback of a Movie", "How The Highwaymen Sets the Record Straight on Bonnie and Clyde", The Years of Lyndon Johnson: Means of Ascent, Association Against the Prohibition Amendment, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Medicinal Liquor Prescriptions Act of 1933, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Frank_Hamer&oldid=1114501544, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from April 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Try again later. cemeteries found in Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. All rights reserved. [21] The Texas Department of Corrections received national negative publicity over the jailbreak, which delighted Barrow, who thought that he finally had his revenge. Hamer, Gladys and several other members of their family were purchasing gasoline on October 1, 1917, when they ran into Gus McMeans of Odessa, Simss brother-in-law. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? In life, Frank Hamer was a lawman who kept on-a-coming. Prior to the Bonnie and Clyde incident, Hamer's most famous gunfight is probably the one in Sweetwater, Texas, in 1917, when two assassins ambushed him and his wife, Gladys. Hamer determined that men were setting up deadbeats and two-bit outlaws to be killed by complicit police officers; the officers would collect the rewards and pay the men their finder's fees. But, you can rest assured that their lives were never the same after that bloody day in Sweetwater. Verify and try again. She was previously married to Ed Sims of Snyder, Texas. ). For the British Army officer, see. At the height of his career, he was regarded as the archetypal Texas Ranger. Gladys Hamer ("Hay-mer'), the wife of legendary Texas Ranger Captain Frank Hamer, was not afraid to jump in and help out her husband in a fight. Not to mention, tactically, it is just not a good idea to walk into a trap when you suspect that it is there waiting for you. This may be called Tools or use an icon like the cog. This is a carousel with slides. All six, however, agreed that Deputy Oakley stood and fired the opening shot from his Remington Model 8, and that his bullet hit Barrow's left temple and killed the outlaw instantly. Hamilton's brother Floyd wrote that Henry Methvin was not part of the original "invited" group but fled with them during the general confusion. 1 Thursday, October 4, 1917", "How 'The Highwaymen' whitewashes Frank Hamer and the Texas Rangers", "The Official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum - Waco, Texas". Defensive Decisions: Making & Modifying Personal-Protection Plans, The American Stalking Rifle & The Texas MLD Program. Upon retiring, Lt. Marcou began writing. Francis Augustus Hamer (March 17, 1884 - July 10, 1955) was an American lawman and Texas Ranger who led the 1934 posse that tracked down and killed criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Lexipol. Francis Augustus Hamer (March 17, 1884 July 10, 1955) was an American lawman and Texas Ranger who led the 1934 posse that tracked down and killed criminals Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Hamer survived them all dying in Austin, Texas on July 10, 1955 at the age of seventy-one. His revelation about the racket resulted in public outrage, an investigation, and indictments. Simply having a gun doesnt get the job done, nor is employing it quicklyyou have to be able to shoot it accurately as well as rapidly. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Sorry! In 1953, Frank Hamer suffered a heat stroke; he lived two more years but never regained his health. On Oct. 1, 1917, Frank, Harrison, Gladys and Emmett were driving back from a court hearing in Baird, TX. Francis Frank Augustus Hamer was a Texas Ranger who garnered immense fame for leading the posse that hunted down and killed the criminal duo, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The smart move would have been to avoid going through the town at all. Had Frank and Harrison Hamer stayed together, Frank might not have been shot at all. Phillips was able to approach very close to Hamer with a shotgun. Three of his brothers also became Texas Rangers. A couple of other points can be gleaned from Frank Hamers fight. Reluctant to leave retirement and his wife Gladys, Hamer joins the manhunt after the . Ida Gladys Johnson Hamer Birth 5 Oct 1890. Frank jokingly asked, Who do I have to kill for that? but quickly sobered when McSwain told him. Gladys was the widow of the legendary Texas Ranger Frank Hamer, who, along with fellow Ranger Maney Gault, tracked down and killed Bonnie and Clyde in 1934. Thanks for your help! and turned to see McMeans pulling a shotgun from the car. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. As McMeans reached his car, however, he rearmed himself with a shotgun and swung it toward Hamer. Learn how your comment data is processed. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). In an effort to rebut "Bonnie and Clyde," Hamer's second wife Gladys assisted the publication of the 1968 biography "I Am Frank Hamer," but its account of Hamer's life and career had . Growing up in a devoutly Presbyterian family, he was one of five sons, four of whom became Texas Rangers. Hamer fired one shot from fairly close range and hit McMeans in the heart, dropping him instantly. and turned to see McMeans pulling a shotgun from the car. He died in the hospital on January 27 soon after Texas prison administrator Lee Simmons assured him that he would send his killer Joe Palmer to the electric chair. Three years later, he was made a special investigator in Harris County. At 9:15 AM May 23, 1934 Franks plan was put into action as Bonnie and Clyde stopped their car for a ruse set up on a rural road near Gibsland Louisiana. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. At the local sheriffs recommendation, he joined the Texas Ranger the following year. The smart move would have been to avoid going through the town at all. Frank Hamer, whose career in law . You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. and turned to see McMeans pulling a shotgun from the car. A .357 Magnum small frame revolver that's optics-ready from Day One. On May 23, 1934, Hamer and his posse gunned down Bonnie and Clyde on a rural road in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. Such was the case at Sweetwater, TX. Additionally, we see the effects of tunnel vision on our awareness in a chaotic situation. All rights reserved. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. Phillips, p. 354 n. 3. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. A smaller double-stack 9mm pistol with all the great features you've come to expect from Staccato. Additionally, it is also never a good idea to split your forces when you know a fight might be about to occur. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. While Hamer served as a Ranger on and off throughout his adult life, he often left the agency to work on other jobs, including some in other branches of law enforcement. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? [38], Hamer had learned a great deal about the lives of Barrow and Parker in the preceding months, and he told reporters that, under other circumstances, he "would have gotten sick" to see a woman's perforated body in the car; as it was, he did not get sick because he remembered Parker's crimes. Frank Hamer retired in 1949 and in 1955 the lawman who had survived being wounded 17 times died of natural causes. A large mob approached the courthouse, and Hamer personally shot and wounded two of the mob's members. And, second, you can miss with a shotgunthey do have to be aimed if one is expecting to get hits. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Frank aimed, fired, and killed McMeans with a shot to the chest. [34][notes 3] Accounts differ only slightly concerning the last moment before gunfire erupted: Sheriff Jordan said that he was calling out to Barrow to halt as the shooting started, Deputy Alcorn said that Captain Hamer was calling out, and Deputy Hinton wrote that Alcorn called out. In 1917, romance threw Frank Hamer into a first-class Texas feud. Finally, throughout the whole encounter, Gladys was leaning out of the car window, shooting at McMeans and Phillips with her Colt Pocket Auto until it was empty. In his long and illustrious career, he was believed to have killed somewhere between 53 and 70 people. Here are some facts, however. It is also a good idea to realize that dangerous encounters can occur with people who are known to us. That said, the overpowering urge should always be to find a way to avoid trouble whenever it is the least bit possible. He participated in numerous raids and shootouts, and he was involved in a gun battle with smugglers on March 21 which resulted in the death of Prohibition Agent Ernest W. The couple also had two sons. Learn more about merges. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Francis Hamer exchanged wedding vows with Gladys (ne Johnson) Sims in 1917. On Oct. 1, 1917, Frank, Harrison, Gladys and Emmett were driving back from a court hearing in Baird, TX. Hamer and Gladys and other family members were stopped at a garage on October 1, 1917 to get gasoline in Sweetwater when they suddenly encountered Gus McMeans of Odessa, Ed Sims' brother-in-law, and the Hamers and McMeans got into a pistol battle. Recovering somewhat, Hamer drew his .44 Spl. He grew up on the Welch ranch in San Saba County, and later spent time in Oxford, Llano County, which is now a ghost town; he later joked about being the only "Oxford-educated Ranger". The first of these engagements was for the city of Houston during the 1935 Gulf Coast longshoremen's strike. In 1971, they received an undisclosed out-of-court settlement. Gladys stayed in the car. Historians argue whether Captain Frank Hamer killed a dozen men and one woman or 70 men and one woman. [50], Chris Mulkey portrays Hamer in Timeless (TV series), This article is about the Texas Ranger. Year should not be greater than current year. Oops, we were unable to send the email. In 1908, he resigned from the Rangers to become the City Marshal of Navasota, Texas, a lawless boom-town wracked by violence; "shootouts on the main street were so frequent that in two years at least a hundred men died. It was 1900, and 16-year-old Frank and his younger brother Harrison were sharecropping for Dan McSwain. Pride can get a person in a lot of trouble, hurt or worse. Hamer left the Rangers in 1908 to assume the duties of the City Marshal in Navasota, Texas. He fired at Hamers head from close range and missed his whole head, but shredded Franks Stetson. The second group was blocking the doors of the bank, and he said "fall back" and they did.[44]. based on information from your browser. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Death 17 May 1976 (aged 85) Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA. [37] The rifle was modified to accept a "police only" 20-round magazine obtained through the Peace Officers Equipment Company in St. Joseph, Missouri. His first took place before he was a lawman, back when Hamer and his brother Harrison were sharecropping some land for a man named Dan McSwain. Prior to the Bonnie and Clyde incident, Hamer's most famous gunfight is probably the one in Sweetwater, Texas, in 1917, when two assassins ambushed him and his wife, Gladys. major league field coordinator salary. Texas Ranger Frank Hamer is best known for helping to end the careers of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. of Corrections, wrote in his memoir that Hamer was one of two lawmen whom he had in mind. Hamer and a handful of Rangers were charged with protecting the trial of a black rape suspect, George Hughes, in the town of Sherman. Frank could not defend himself, but not to fear, just as she did that day in Sweetwater Gladys had his back. Hamer was assigned to track down the nationally known outlaws Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. Try again later. To subscribe to the magazine,visit theNRA membership page hereand select Shooting Illustrated as your member magazine. Not to mention, tactically, it is just not a good idea to walk into a trap when you suspect that it is there waiting for you. 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