although he was poor, he was accepted by many of Dallas’
middle class. Clyde’s interests were in music and fashionable clothing. He was an avid gun collector, and was never
without musical instruments or guns, even in the height
of his criminal involvement. After quitting his job at
Proctor and Gamble, Clyde joined his older brother Buck,
former roommate Frank Clause, and Sydney Moore, in a
burglary gang. With his intellect and motivation he soon
became the leader of the notorious group.
The effects of The Great Depression hit home in Dallas
with the Parker family when Bonnie lost her waitressing
job at a local café when it closed its doors. Bonnie’s neighbor had fallen and broken her arm, and Bonnie agreed to
care for her for a small fee. January 5, 1930, Bonnie and
Clyde would meet at this young woman’s home, and were
quick to fall in love.
Bonnie Parker, born to Charles and Emma Parker of
Rowena, Texas, was the middle of three children. Active
in the Baptist church in their community, Bonnie had a
foundation in the straight and narrow. When her father
died in 1915, Bonnie, her mother, and siblings moved to
Dallas to be closer to her mother’s family. Bonnie was an
exemplary student, excelling in essay and poetry writing.
Bonnie was a pretty young woman, with fine bone structure, blonde ringlets, and a sense for the fashion of the
day, she was the envy of many. While still in school, Bonnie met a young man named Roy Thornton, and the two
were married when they were 16 after about a year courtship. Thornton was in trouble with the law as a youth, and
landed himself in jail early in the marriage. Bonnie refused
to divorce him, despite her mother’s pleas, and remained
married until her death.
Clyde Barrow was born in Ellis County, Texas, to poor
farmers, Henry and Cumie Barrow. Growing up in a
poverty stricken family with three other siblings in combination with the events during The Great Depression
may have ultimately caused young Clyde’s life of crime.
The young man worked at Proctor and Gamble after he
dropped out of school at the tender age of 16 to help
support his family. He made friends while on the job, and
When Clyde called on
Bonnie, he told her that
he was on the run from
the local authorities.
Bonnie begged him not
to leave, as she was
clearly smitten with the
young man, and could
not bear to be away
from him.
Milner, E.R. The Lives and Times of Bonnie & Clyde. SIU Press.
2003.
www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/npg01
www.history.com/this-day-in-history/outlaws-bonnie-and-clyde-shotto-death-in-stolen-ford
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