Drop me a line about my website! Tell me what I'm doing right, wrong, or
whatever! I really want to know!

E-mail me at robin@redriverhistorian.com!

Re: The article on Bonnie and Clyde
Like many who had seen the movie, I had formed form myself the rather romantic
image of two star-crossed lovers on the run from the mean, evil lawmen, robbing
banks strictly for the fun of it. Your article about the real Bonnie and Clyde was a
welcome dose of reality. The article is honest and well researched, without bias
either for or against Bonnie and Clyde or the law, and the reader is able to see the
case of Bonnie and Clyde for what it was: tow outlaws breaking the law. No
romance at all.
Thank you.
Barbara B., Clarksville, TX

***
Hi Robin:
Enjoyed Red River Historian. The Red River Historical Museum houses three oil
on wood paintings (three of the Muses) by Texas artist James Swann who
personally oversaw their hanging in 1934 when the museum was the Sherman
Public Library. he was one of those subsidized artists who benefitted from the
"New Deal." Outside the Collin County Courthouse which has some WPA murals,
ours are the only examples of WPA art in North Texas.
Marcia Rolbiecki, Director
Red River Historical Museum
Sherman, Texas

****
Hi Folks,
I am just writing to let you know that YOU HAVE RUINED MY FRIDAY!   I received
your Red River Historian today and then went to your web site.  Got into Bonnie
and Clyde and wasted the entire day.  So much good history here. Great stuff.  
DON'T IMPROVE ON THIS!  I cannot spare the time to read it all. Thanks so much,
Judith R., Houston, TX

***
Hello Robin,
Your site is so much fun! I have family from Carter County, Oklahoma. They came
west due to the Great Depression. Now their descendants live in Los Angeles! I
can't wait to learn more about the Red River valley region. Keep up the good work!
Darlene Smith, Los Angeles, CA

***
Dear Ma'am:
I am most impressed with your site. I like the photos! I would also like to view a
complimentary copy. Thanks so much!
Gregory H. Feeney, Oklahoma City OK

***
Hi Robin,
I've been a subscriber for a while now and your newsletter keeps getting better
and better. I loved the latest edition on schools - as a former school teacher, I
discovered quite a bit of information I did not know. Thanks so much for the info!
Lucinda C., Shreveport LA

***
Greetings Robin,
Your website is very informative. We are also looking forward to the books you'll
have out soon. We live close to the Chisholm Trail and would like to know more
about it. We have some old photos of our area if you're interested. Please e-mail
us if you are interested.
Charles W. and Betty M., Waco TX

***
Please include some more info on Texarkana. I sometimes feel it's a neglected
city because it straddles TX and AK.
Joseph C., Texarkana TX

***
I am a descendent of Cornelius Ragsdale who lived in Palmer, Texas in 1900, and
who began a trip by covered wagon to Hollis, Oklahoma that year.  My mother was
only five years old then and she said that she and her brother, Buddy (Chester)
walked much of the way behind the family wagon.  They took a northwesterly route
which probably follows the current highway from Dallas toward Wichita Falls now.  

My mother and her oldest sister, Maggie, her sister Lillie who was a toddler then, a
baby girl named Nettie, Buddy, and my mom, Maude all made that trip with their
parents (Cornelius and Viola Boyd Ragsdale to Hollis.  When they got to the Red
River, they had to make a raft to float the wagon across the river.  It was quite an
adventure but they made it and settled in Hollis where my grandfather, Cornelius
donated land to the first school and church in that area.  My mother and her family
grew up there and attended Bitter Creek School. Later, during WWI, my uncle
Buddy served in the army and died of disease (possibly the flu) in 1918 in
Germany.  His body was exhumed and returned to Hollis where he is buried at the
old Bitter Creek Cemetery near Hollis.

I was fascinated with the story and looked up as many facts about towns they
might have encountered on their trip in 1900 and combined that with stories that
were told to me about the trip and the family.  So I have a 25-page story that I
imagined of that trip.  It was fun in writing and I have sent it to various family
members who were interested. Many of the descendents of that family still live in
Texas, Oklahoma or New Mexico and try to have an annual reunion either in New
Mexico or a central location.

I was fascinated by your website and the Red River Historian newsletter that a
neighbor gave me.  I would like to join the organization and find out more history
of the Red River and the area.  I am planning to re-take that famous trip soon that
my mom took so long ago.  I would love to hear from you as I have done a lot of
genealogy on my families and I am a history buff.  Sincerely, Dr. Martha Mead
Giles, Professor Emeritus

***
Howdy;
Came across your web site at "Texas Hideout". Great site! Could you please give
me some informations about the book; "On the Run With Bonnie and Clyde? Who
is the publisher? Author/Editor? Where can I buy? When wil it be released?
Thanks in advance!

Kind regards
Dag Storsletten,
Norway

Robin Jett <robin@redriverhistorian.com> skrev:
Hello!

Thank you for your kind words. It's a wonderful feeling to know that my website is
being viewed by many people, even in far away places!

I'm in the process of writing and publishing a book about Bonnie & Clyde, which
not only will give the history but also a traveling route to see the sites that still exist.
 I should have it for sale next year. If you would like to read a great history of the
pair, I recommend John Neal Philips "Running with Bonnie and Clyde: The Ten
Fast Years of Ralph Fults" which is the best researched book available. Also, John
Neal Philips edited the memoirs of Blanche Barrow (Clyde's sister-in-law who was
married to Buck) and that book, "My Life with Bonnie and Clyde" is available on
www.amazon.com .

Please come back and visit www.redriverhistorian.com often! Thanks for taking
the time to write.

Happy Trails,
Robin Jett

Hi again, Robin;

Thanks for all information! Pleasure on my side! Indeed, I´ve read the two books
you mentioned! Over and over again.

Additinal authors are James R. Knight/Jonathan Davis, Phillip Steele with Marie
Barrow Scoma, E. R. Milner and John Trehern. But I find Phillips and Knight the
two most accurate authors, though. They are so careful regarding sources. (John
Neal Phillips is so kind; always answering questions about the Bonnie and Clyde
subject.)

Coming over to the US next year. Will follow the footsteps of B&C - all the way from
north to south, and back again. But I must probably read your book, "On the Run
With Bonnie and Clyde", first!

Thanks again!

Dag Storsletten,
Norway
Messages
from You!
From Edna:

Hello ,Iam trying to find information about the Morgan and Goss Plantation
located near Bonham Tx. I think it was in RiverBy Texas.
Would you have anything on this?
Edna

Hello Edna,

I'm sure you know about this site, but just in case you didn't:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~txfannin/riverby.html

I'm very intrigued by the plantation. I have not read much about it. For a New Year's resolution, I'm going to compile a list of
plantations along the Red River to put up on my site. It won't be comprehensive, but it'll be a start!


Hello Robin,
Thank you for the site address.I would like to find out more about the place and the tenents.

___________________________

From Joshua:

Your site is fantastic. I basically grew up in Texas and now live in Oklahoma so most of the stuff on your site was something I
could actually find and drive to. I do agree with the Modernizing of cities with Walmarts, etc. is ruining the personalities of the
towns. Every town looks the same. Home Depot is across the street from Lowes, Walmart is next to a McDonalds, etc. It's all
cookie cutter. Also the plight of the indians is well written. I live in Lawton where the Kiowa's say Mt. Scott swallowed up the
buffalo and to Americanize things, they brought the buffalo back with the wildlife preserve and paved a road to Mt. Scott where
I'm pretty sure some indians hold the mountain sacret.

Anyway keep up the good work.

Joshua

Oh and I am from Paris too btw.

_______________________________

From Randy:

Great web site. Just now ran across it. Was reading Dustin Ward's "Life  in Oklahoma Territory".I would like to contact Dustin. If I
am correct, I lived on the farm north of WD Ward's place from 1958 to 1963. I'll have to check with my mom, but I am pretty
sure Mr. Ward's name was WD. My brothers and I spent a lot of time fishing, hiking and hunting on Oak Creek back in those
days.

Best regards,
Randy

_________________________________
From Vaughn:

hi robin- my name is vaughn w., i am currently a prof at a&m in commerce. i'm about to do a project photographing the red
river- though honestly i know little about it. guess that's why i'm interested. anyway, i saw your site and thought you might be
someone i should know and maybe talk to about it. are you anywhere near dallas? i'm about 60 miles east... looking at your
interests, we have much in common including riding bikes hating war, etc. the only thing i see that we disagree on is favorite
ice cream! and, no, though this sounds a bit odd coming from a strange man's email... i really am interested in the red river.
you can read a bit about me at my site, though i think it's down right now, should be back up late tonight... thanks anyway, nice
info ans site, i'd love to talk!

vaughn w.

____________________________________
From Linda:

My husband, Bill, and I enjoyed your course at Sail. Ghost towns not only are interesting, but inspiring to learn MORE!! We have
a cemetery behind our development, actually behind our home on Grayson drive in Plano. It borders Custer and Legacy. Do
you have any information about it? We have not ventured inside it's fallen fence (gate is usually open on the Custer Side.), and
see it daily as it borders our ally way into our home. It looks old and is mowed by an elderly gentleman and his granddaughter.
I plan to stop them sometime and ask about who maintains it and who they are!! You never know!!

We would appreciate being contacted when you get your "History on the Road" van in place. It sounds wonderful. Good luck
with all you do and most important, raising your son! Linda

_____________________________________
From Larry:

I am looking for the date the bridge was built.  I am attaching a picture taken about 1906.  The date is a guess from what
information I have.  Based on birth dates and a guess of age of the subjects.

Feel free to use the picture if you like.  

Also, I have recent pictures from the Oklahoma side if you would like them.

***

I had forgotten about the Carpenters Bluff bridge. I'll have to get some pictures of it the next time down. I found another picture
of the KATY bridge. Thanks again.

______________________________________
From Joyce:

HI, Robin,
I am a member of teh Review Club you addressed last May. You were a wonderful speaker and I thoroughly enjoyed your
topic. I recall you were about to publish 2 new books...driving history guides on Bonnie & Clyde and the other on the Cattle
Trails. At the time, I don't think you had finalized who the publisher would be. Do you know now when they will be available for
sale? I am interested in making a purchase.

I look forward to hearing from you soon. Thanks in advance!

________________________________________
From Tami:

Hello Robin,

I came across your website while investigating Clarksville. There is a restaurant for sale there and we were considering the
investment. I was wondering if you could give me any info about that area, internet is not so great and I can't seem to link up
with the chamber there. I love your website, my husband and I are also lovers of the forgotten and wonderful world of Texas
history. I hope to hear from you, but if not, I have thoroughly enjoyed finding your site and will visit often.

Thanks so much,
Tami

__________________________________________

From Dave:

Who wrote the article "Bonnie and Clyde: Romance, Crimes, and Lonely Roads"?  I am writing a thesis paper, which talks
about Bonnie and Clyde's crimes, and I wish to use information from this article.  But, I need the author in order to cite it, and I
would appreciate it if you could tell me the name of the author

Thank you in advance.

___________________________________

From Scott:

I was googleing some information I learned from an old man aboutplaces in Oklahoma. He graduated high school from a
place called"Cowden" with a mailing address of Cloud Chief, OK.

My googles brought me to your site and it contained lots of useful information. Thank you for your collection of history and
knowledge of places.

I have photographed many parts of Oklahoma and I wanted to share this with you. http://www.tapdig.com/gallery/scenic

Scott

_________________________________________________

From Tommy:

My mother was born in Retrop in 1918.

She attended the Baptist Church with her family. Father's name was Marshall "Henry" Belol. Mom and dad migrated to
Bakersfield, CA in 1937. Mom is 89 and still in Bakersfield. She has many photos taken in that area of OK and has given my
brothers and I a life time of oral history. Her paternal grandparents moved into OK and raised a large family. I've heard so
many stories of that area I feel like I was there.

While on the subject of OK, I mention that my wife was born in one of your little forgotten (or almost forgotten places) Marlow,
OK. One of these days we will have to visit the old places again.

Thanks for the memories,

Tommy of Texas/Okie blood

_______________________________________

From Andrew:

Hi Robin. I am researching college football history and have come across a school which played UND over a hundred years
ago called Red River Valley College. Does this school still exist today under a different name, or was it taken over by another
institution? What I need to know is its football records, specifically when it played its first season of varsity competition, and its
season by season records.

Do you know of this school, its fate, and any sources which might help?

Thanks

Andrew

(Robin: I was unable to help him. Does anyone know about the Red River Valley college?)

_____________________________________

From Rick:

Hello,

My name is Rick.  I found your site today, which was a pleasant surprise.  Captain (John) Henry Stout is my ggg-grandfather.  I
have been researching his movement and ancestors for the past couple of years.  Do you plan to write a story about Henry?  If
so, I'd be pleased to offer any/all information I have gathered on this great Texan.

Regards,
Rick

_____________________________________

From Mike:

Dear Robin,

I think we have spoken before concerning ferry crossings on the Red near Paris, Texas. Let me pass on a couple of pieces of
information concerning the two above mentioned towns. My grandfather, Thomas J. J. Hauser, was a bookkeeper for Bartlet
and Heald in Doaksville, I. T. It was his first job after graduating from a business school/college in Paris, Texas. Perhaps you
know its name, I don't.

Also, I knew a C. Roger Cripliver in Ft. Worth, Texas whose mother was a teacher/principal in Fleetwood, Oklahoma probably
in the 1920's.

Mike

________________________________________
From Dan:

I enjoyed looking at your website and am a history buff in the
Dallas/Fort Worth area with many of the same interests. Over the past 5
years, I have had a special interest in some of the depression gangsters
that operated in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the 1930s. Since you live in the area, maybe you can help me with this one. I
have been trying to
locate the building that housed the Lewisville State Bank that Raymond
Hamilton robbed in the early 1930s. I have seen a photo of it in a book
published by the Lewisville Historical Society but have e-mailed them a
couple of times with no response from them. I have researched and located
many of the sites associated with the Barrow/Parker/Hamilton gang and have found many but this is one that has stumped me
thus far. It would be
located on the old Main Street segment in Lewisville, just east of I-35. I don't know if the building is still there at this point.

I have also done a bit of research on the bank robbed by Hamilton in the
La Grange area and one person that I contacted indicated that the building
was still there but they did not respond with a location. I have an aunt
in that area and may try to take some time to research that one. I also
have an interest in investigating what happened to Mary O'Dare and later
Mary Pitt who was briefly a gang member but later went back to Wichita
Falls after leaving the gang. As you can see, I have great interest but
not the time needed to follow up - lol. If you get a chance, I would like
to get your feedback.

Thanks,

Dan

***

Hello,

I've been researching this building and this is what I found:

Raymond Hamilton robbed the First National Bank in Lewisville, which was
housed in a two story brick building at the northwest corner of Main and
Poydras Streets. Poydras is a very short steet that ends just a block north
of Main at Church. The new Lewisville City Hall has cut it off.

Raymond then escaped via US 77 north.

The First National Bank building was in the same building as the post
office. The original Lewisville Enterprise/Leader newspaper office was
directly behind it on Poydras Street.

I will take photos of the building today and e-mail them to you. It still
stands, and has been extensively renovated. I think a restaurant is there
now.

I hope this was of some help! I will send you photos tonight.

Robin Cole-Jett

****
Hey Robin - Thanks much!  I have wondered for quite some time about where that happened. I will go out there also and take
a look sometime this week.

Dan

___________________________________________________________
From Ed:

Hello Robin,

I'm so happy to have found your site! I love that Red River Region myself. Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,

Ed Garrett

___________________________________________________

From Dave:

Hi Robin,  I just read your story about Bonnie and Clyde.  I see you have done you homework.  Your story is very accurate, one
of the few.  I would like to mention one or to things if you don't mind.  Clyde cut off  toe's  not 3.  When Clyde was released from
prison there was a standing order in Dallas to harass all felons and excons.  Clyde was pulled from work and brought
downtown.  The cops would tell his boss that Clyde was a thief and would steel from him.  Clyde got 2 or 3 other jobs and the
cops did the same thing.  That's when Clyde had  enough.  Maybe you know this.  I am guessing you did not, other wise you
would have put it in the story    Dave

_________________________________________________

From Mike:

Robin, A friend sent me a link to your web pages. As I have my own Denton County History Page AND am one of the founders
of the Save Fry St. movement, I wanted to make contact with you and say hello. I appreciated your comments about Fry St and
will enjoy poking around on your history site (when I get the time)- it looks good.(see http://savefrystreet.com/)
Below is a link to my historypage. I started it back in 1995 in preparation for the 1996 Denton Sesquicentennial. I housed it at
its own domain (Dentonhistory.org) untill last year when some scoundrel bought it out from under me when I was late updating
the domain registration.http://www.mikecochran.net/history.html

I will be updating my home page in the next few days and will have some additional links to other pages I have created on
Descansos- Roadside Memorial Markers and one on an obscure rural Italian church, etc. I am currently living in Italy, but just
for 6 months of the year and will be back in Texas in May, just in time for the miserably hot weather. Take care and thanks for
your history efforts,  Mike
_______________________________________________________

From Doug:

Robin, It just dawned on me that in your travels you may see many pcs of oldrailroad equipment, engines and passenger cars
along the way. I am a railroad historian, and just emailed you about the Pate Museumpassenger car that is now missing........

Do you have photos and locations of old railroad cars (passenger) in Texas,Okla, La, NM etc. ?? IF you do great, and I would
like to buy photos youmay have or learn where these cars are.Some are even on ranches around the state.......

Thanks so much. Doug

__________________________________________

From Barbara:
I am trying to find when the Red River was set as a difinate boundary between Texas and Oklahoma.
My 2nd great grandfather, James D. Allen and his wife Emaline owned land on an Island in the Red River. But it was recorded
in Lamar County, texas Indian Territory.
After a big flood the land is in Oklahoma, Choctaw County.
Would appreciate any help.
Barbara

___________________________________

From Alan:

I was born in  Mangum , OK. was raised (first grade) in Granite OK. and my grandmother was born and raised in a dugout at the
foot of bird mountain north of Altus, we spent many a summers day at Quartz mountain state park and I remember the old
Lodge which was recently rebuilt on lake Lugert (now Lake Altus) . The new lodge is a summer retreat for art students across
OK. Old greer county was Texas (because texas claimed the red river-salt fork as it's boundary ) until the supreme court
awarded it to OK around the turn of the century. The old family story is how grand dad had to remove his six shooter when he
got of the train in Vernon from (the nations)OK. Funny how place names change so easily in the U.S. according to economic
activity.  Well theres some stuff to ponder, have a great holiday season !

Alan

_______________________________
A door in St. Jo, Texas.
A safe door in Ballinger, Texas.
An overgrown door in Achille, Oklahoma.
Train station door in Hugo, Oklahoma
The doors to the
Wheelock Academy,
Oklahoma.