As the in-charge of the Texas Rangers fight against the Ku Klux Klan in 1922, Hamer reportedly saved 15 people from being lynched. A smaller double-stack 9mm pistol with all the great features you've come to expect from Staccato. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. 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. 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. Simmons persuaded Hamer to hunt down the Barrow Gang. Frank Hamer retired in 1949 and in 1955 the lawman who had survived being wounded 17 times died of natural causes. [32][notes 2] The two deputies and Schmid had tried to ambush Bonnie and Clyde in late November 1933 near Sowers, Texas. [17] A year later, Hamer gave his reason for retiring: "When they elected a woman governor, I quit. Sorry! 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. Five days later, the grand jury refused to indict Frank Hamer for the killing of Gee McMeans. On Oct. 1, 1917, Frank, Harrison, Gladys and Emmett were driving back from a court hearing in Baird, TX. He shared his philosophy on gun fighting with an interviewer once. Here are some facts, however. He joined Captain John H. Rogers' Company C in Alpine, Texas, on April 21, 1906, and began patrolling the Mexican border. With one hand holding the .45, Hamer used his other hand to beat McMeans about the face. Failed to delete memorial. Phillips was able to approach very close to Hamer with a shotgun. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? And, second, you can miss with a shotgunthey do have to be aimed if one is expecting to get hits. The second group was blocking the doors of the bank, and he said "fall back" and they did.[44]. and manufacturers. [28] Another story stated that a cigar butt "bearing tiny teethmarks" was found in the gravel. In 1953, Frank Hamer suffered a heat stroke; he lived two more years but never regained his health. His service was brief but eventful while stationed in El Paso, the scene of countless gunfights during the Prohibition era. Harrison Hamer, who had just arrived back on the scene, started to shoot the fleeing Phillips. By some accounts, Frank Hamer would survive 50 gunfights in his lifetime. and turned to see McMeans pulling a shotgun from the car. That said, the overpowering urge should always be to find a way to avoid trouble whenever it is the least bit possible. 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. She didnt hit anyone and didnt affect the outcome of the fight one single bit. They were on a car trip and they pulled into town with a flat tire. in Aktuality. FREE Grant assistance! Daughter of Robert Dockery Hamer and Elizabeth Hamer Wife of Huburt F. Steed Mother of Gladys Adeline Steed; Harold Swain Steed; Wiley Dockery Steed; Thelma Betts . Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. 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. Ralph Fults heard the story from one of the Rangers in 1948. Akce tdne. Hamer, who had recently married W.A. His professional record and reputation are controversial, particularly with regard to his willingness to use extrajudicial killing even in an increasingly modernized society. 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. Three of his brothers also became Texas Rangers. 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. [37] The rifle was modified to accept a "police only" 20-round magazine obtained through the Peace Officers Equipment Company in St. Joseph, Missouri. He fired at Hamers head from close range and missed his whole head, but shredded Franks Stetson. 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." Renowned for his toughness, marksmanship, and investigative skill, he acquired status in the Southwest as the archetypal Texas Ranger. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. [14] The bankers did not modify the terms of the reward, however, and more bounty murders took place in 1930. As Hamer dropped to the ground, stunned, both of his attackers ran to their nearby car. Hamer, Frank , Jr. - The Official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and . The Sheriff, who was much impressed, recommended Frank for the Texas Rangers. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. With this many gun toters, the stage was set for trouble. The infamous outlaws had murdered over a dozen law enforcement officers and civilians all over the country. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window). But Frank pushed Harrisons rifle barrel up and told him not to shoot a man in the back. The route to their home in Snyder . Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Frank studied their activity and movements and eventually Frank was able to contact the family of one Gang member, Henry Methvin. "[6] Hamer moved in at age 24 and enforced law and order. [7] In 1911, he moved to Houston to work as a special investigator for Mayor Horace Baldwin Rice, where he was seconded to the Sheriff's Office of Harris County. The late Frank Hamer Jr., a preteen then, remembered Gault being as "smooth as satin with a pistol," but also proficient on the guitar. Franks instincts were golden. When we talk about personal defense, we may spend too much time talking about attacks from criminals who are not known to us. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Texas Department of Corrections Chief Lee Simmons persuades Governor Ma Ferguson to hire former Texas Ranger Frank Hamer to track down the criminals. A pistol fight ensued and McMeans, who was a former Texas Ranger and sheriff of Ector County, was killed, while Hamer was wounded. 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. . [4] He worked in his father's shop as a youth, and as a wrangler on a local ranch. Frank Hamer, whose career in law . Hamer and Gault are reluctant to get involved in the case at first, but once they . Historian John Neal Phillips says that "paying back" the Department of Corrections for abuse that Barrow had received while imprisoned motivated many of his actions and underlay his crime spree. Phillips was able to approach very close to Hamer with a shotgun. In the 1967 movie Bonnie and Clyde, Hollywood portrayed Frank Hamer inaccurately and with great disrespect. It's the most comprehensive and trusted online destination for law enforcement agencies and police departments worldwide. While the gunfight was in progress there was a Nolan County Grand Jury in session. Phillips was later arrested, as was the entire Hamer party. Hamer married Gladys Johnson while she and her brother, Emmett, were under indictment for killing Gladys ex-husband, Ed Sims. This article was previouslypublished in Shooting Illustrated. In his later years, the mere presence of Frank Hamer seemed to ensure a peaceful outcome in a tense situation. A system error has occurred. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. [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. Woody Harrelson plays Maney Gault. Five days later, the grand jury refused to indict Frank Hamer for the killing of Gee McMeans. He was laid to rest in Memorial Park Cemetery in Austin, Texas next to his personal hero, his son Billy, who was a Marine killed in combat on Iwo Jima. Stopping to have a punctured tire repaired, Frank Hamer was attacked by Gee McMeans. 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". [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. A .357 Magnum small frame revolver that's optics-ready from Day One. Frank Hamer and Gladys stayed together for the rest of Franks life. Walker. Hamer married Gladys Johnson while she and her brother, Emmett, were under indictment for killing Gladys ex-husband, Ed Sims. Best Quality Product Distributor - Worldwide Hamer survived them all dying in Austin, Texas on July 10, 1955 at the age of seventy-one. At the local sheriffs recommendation, he joined the Texas Ranger the following year. Phillips was later arrested, as was the entire Hamer party. [33], The lawmen confronted Bonnie and Clyde on a rural road near Gibsland, Louisiana at 9:15a.m. on May 23, 1934, after 102 days tracking them. [29] The lurid newspaper stories and the furor which they created increased the pressure on government and law enforcement to capture the criminals, and Governor Ferguson placed a $500 bounty on Bonnie for her alleged role in the murder of Patrolman Murphy. Hamer fired one shot from fairly close range and hit McMeans in the heart, dropping him instantly. But the police refused him support and the Bankers' Association's position was that "any man that could be induced to participate in a bank robbery ought to be killed." Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. 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. 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. The trends we saw on the firing line at this year's Media Day At The Range. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. In 1917, Hamer married Gladys (Johnson) Sims, the widow of Ed Sims of Snyder, Texas; she and her brother, Sidney Arthur Johnson, had been charged in 1916 with murdering Sims. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Today, a jury might get the impression that a person was welcoming the opportunity to engage his enemies. But, you can rest assured that their lives were never the same after that bloody day in Sweetwater. , although it is possible he did not realize that said incident was reported in an alleged eyewitness report, rather than an official statement of her crimes. As Barrow and Parker breathed their last breath, the entire country breathed a sigh of relief. Explore historical records and family tree profiles about Gladys Hamer on MyHeritage, the world's family history network. At one point there was trouble brewing when Frank pulled up to a polling place where two groups of armed men were facing off. 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. He was at home on the open Texas prairie and understood the signs and patterns of nature. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40839700/ida-gladys-hamer. Phillips, p. 354 n. 3. Frank Hamer and Gladys stayed together for the rest of Franks life. And, second, you can miss with a shotgunthey do have to be aimed if one is expecting to get hits. That said, the overpowering urge should always be to find a way to avoid trouble whenever it is the least bit possible. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, If you need further help setting your homepage, check your browsers Help menu, Video: Conn. cop fired for misconduct against driver while directing traffic, Police bodycam released after EMS providers charged with murder of patient in their care, Ohio sheriff: Fitness standards keeping cadets from taking final exam, 5 Tenn. officers fired, 3 suspended after sexual misconduct investigation, New LAPD policy lowers off-duty drinking limit for armed officers, Street Survival II, Tactics for Deadly Encounters, Open the tools menu in your browser. As Frank was struggling to get Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? 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. "[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. But, you can rest assured that their lives were never the same after that bloody day in Sweetwater. 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. [1] He was inducted into the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. Luxury Holiday Cabin in the Trossachs. After retiring from law enforcement in 1949, he relocated to Austin where he spent the rest of his days. Failed to remove flower. 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. Using his other hand, Hamer drew a Smith & Wesson Triple Lock and put a .44 Special bullet through the heart of the . Lexipol. [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. Hamer approached Canales and physically threatened him. Legendary Texas Ranger Frank Hamer was in more than 50 gunfights. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. The swarm of bullets buzzed by Phillips' head and caused him to fire wildly striking nothing but the brim of Frank's hat. Francis Hamer is one of the 31 inductees to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. [10], Beginning in 1922 Hamer led the fight in Texas against the Ku Klux Klan as senior captain of the Texas Rangers, which was still growing in Texas, and he saved 15 people from lynch mobs throughout his career. finds relevant news, identifies important training information, Had Frank and Harrison Hamer stayed together, Frank might not have been shot at all. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. However, he was a lawman of one kind or another for many years and engaged in many shootings. On Oct. 1, 1917, Frank, Harrison, Gladys and Emmett were driving back from a court hearing in Baird, TX. Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. [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. This browser does not support getting your location. Today, a jury might get the impression that a person was welcoming the opportunity to engage his enemies. With this many gun toters, the stage was set for trouble. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. He fired at Hamers head from close range and missed his whole head, but shredded Franks Stetson. "[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. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. 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. Snyder, Scurry County, Texas, USA. During the 1930s, Hamer worked on behalf of various oil companies and shippers. [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. A couple of other points can be gleaned from Frank Hamers fight. They raised her two girls and two boys of their own, one of whom, Frank Jr., was a friend of mine. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. 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. After the film's release, his widow Gladys and son Frank Jr. sued Warner Bros.-Seven Arts for defamation of character. Learn more about merges. Growing up in a devoutly Presbyterian family, he was one of five sons, four of whom became Texas Rangers. The Jury paused from their deliberation to watch the entire street battle from upstairs windows across the street. Knight, James R., with Jonathan Davis (2003). She was previously married to Ed Sims of Snyder, Texas. When we talk about personal defense, we may spend too much time talking about attacks from criminals who are not known to us. Include gps location with grave photos where 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. While Gladys' determined fire with her Colt Pocket Model auto kept one gunman at bay, another named Gee McMeans rushed Hamer and shot him in his right thigh and left . 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. 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Fulfill your request see McMeans pulling a shotgun kilometers of your location will be saved your. She and her brother, Emmett, were under indictment for killing Gladys ex-husband Ed. Be saved to your photo ( s ) sued Warner Bros.-Seven Arts for defamation character... Was trouble brewing when Frank pulled up to a polling place where two groups of armed men were facing.. Heat stroke ; he lived two more years but never regained his health the world & # ;! Personal defense, we may spend too much time talking about attacks from criminals are!
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