The History
Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow became America's most famous outlaw couple during the depths of the Great Depression. Between 1932 and 1934, the Barrow Gang robbed banks, gas stations, and small stores across Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, and other states, killing at least 13 people, including nine law enforcement officers.
Despite their reputation as glamorous bank robbers, Bonnie and Clyde mostly targeted small-town businesses. They lived on the run, sleeping in their stolen car, constantly moving, and evading a growing army of lawmen. Bonnie was just 23 and Clyde was 25 when their spree came to its violent end.
The Ambush
Former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer had been tracking Bonnie and Clyde for 102 days when he learned they would be driving down Highway 154 near Gibsland, Louisiana, on the morning of May 23, 1934. Their friend Ivan Methvin's father had been coerced into helping set the trap.
Six lawmen — Hamer, Dallas County Sheriff's Deputy Ted Hinton, and four others — concealed themselves in the brush along the highway. When the tan 1934 Ford V-8 sedan appeared, they opened fire without warning. Approximately 167 rounds were fired in under 16 seconds.
Clyde was killed instantly. Bonnie, who was eating a sandwich, screamed before being struck by multiple rounds. The autopsy found 17 entrance wounds on Clyde and 26 on Bonnie. The car contained an arsenal of weapons, license plates from multiple states, and Bonnie's unfinished poem, "The Trail's End."
Key Facts
The Death Car
The bullet-riddled Ford V-8 became a traveling sideshow attraction. Today it's displayed at Whiskey Pete's Casino in Primm, Nevada, near the California-Nevada border.
The Body Spectacle
When the bodies arrived at the Arcadia, Louisiana funeral home, thousands of people tried to get in. Souvenir hunters attempted to clip Clyde's hair, cut off his ear, and remove Bonnie's dress.
Frank Hamer
The former Texas Ranger who organized the ambush had tracked the pair across nine states. He later demanded the 1967 film "Bonnie and Clyde" remove his likeness, settling out of court.
What's There Now
Visit the Ambush Site
Location: Highway 154, approximately 8 miles south of Gibsland, Louisiana (Bienville Parish)
Status: A granite memorial marker stands at the exact ambush location on the roadside.
Museum: The Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum in downtown Gibsland contains artifacts including bullet fragments, newspaper clippings, and items from the death car.
Festival: Gibsland hosts an annual Bonnie and Clyde Festival each May, featuring reenactments and historical talks.
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