Five days later, the grand jury refused to indict Frank Hamer for the killing of Gee McMeans. And, second, you can miss with a shotgunthey do have to be aimed if one is expecting to get hits. [30], Five days later, popular opinion turned against the criminals even more when Barrow and Methvin killed Constable Calvin Campbell, a 60-year-old single father, near Commerce, Oklahoma. 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. They raised her two girls and two boys of their own, one of whom, Frank Jr., was a friend of mine. Harrison Hamer, who had just arrived back on the scene, started to shoot the fleeing Phillips. They were on a car trip and they pulled into town with a flat tire. Had Frank and Harrison Hamer stayed together, Frank might not have been shot at all. Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It is also a good idea to realize that dangerous encounters can occur with people who are known to us. 20, No. Francis Hamer exchanged wedding vows with Gladys (ne Johnson) Sims in 1917. He further added to the deal by authorizing Hamer to take whatever he wanted from among the Barrow Gang's possessions when he caught them. As this was going on, McMeans henchman, H.E. Guinn bases his description of the ambush on Sandy Jones's exhaustive 1998 inquiry and forensic reenactment. [14] The bankers did not modify the terms of the reward, however, and more bounty murders took place in 1930. When we talk about personal defense, we may spend too much time talking about attacks from criminals who are not known to us. She and her brother had faced charges for Sims's murder in 1916. On Oct. 1, 1917, Frank, Harrison, Gladys and Emmett were driving back from a court hearing in Baird, TX. The swarm of bullets buzzed by Phillips' head and caused him to fire wildly striking nothing but the brim of Frank's hat. He was one of the five sons of Franklin Augustus Hamer and Lou Emma Hamer. The first of these engagements was for the city of Houston during the 1935 Gulf Coast longshoremen's strike. 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. At the behest of Governor Coke Stevenson, he briefly re-joined the Rangers in 1948 to help inspect an election fraud in Jim Wells and Duval County. | NRA Family, How to Point Your Gun in a Safe Direction | NRA Family, Self-Defense for the Aging Shooter | NRA Family, New For 2023: The Gunsite Glock Service Pistol, New For 2023: The Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Pistol, New For 2023: The Taurus 605 T.O.R.O. Five days later, the grand jury refused to indict Frank Hamer for the killing of Gee McMeans. 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. A pistol fight ensued and McMeans, who was a former Texas Ranger and sheriff of Ector County, was killed, while Hamer was wounded. His service was brief but eventful while stationed in El Paso, the scene of countless gunfights during the Prohibition era. Genealogy profile for Gladys McNeill Hamer Genealogy for Gladys McNeill Hamer (1897 - d.) family tree on Geni, with over 230 million profiles of ancestors and living relatives. The Johnson and Sims families were prominent ranch families in West Texas and both were used to having their own way about things. [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. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. 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. In 1914, he was hired as a deputy sheriff in Kimble County, assigned as the department's livestock theft investigator. In 1953, Frank Hamer suffered a heat stroke; he lived two more years but never regained his health. Additionally, it is also never a good idea to split your forces when you know a fight might be about to occur. Francis Hamer was born on March 17, 1884, in Wilson County, Texas, USA. In 1914, he became a deputy sheriff in Kimble County and served as the department's livestock theft investigator. On Oct. 1, 1917, Frank, Harrison, Gladys and Emmett were driving back from a court hearing in Baird, TX. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. 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. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40839700/ida-gladys-hamer. 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". Sherman's black district was looted by the mob afterward, with the Rangers unwilling or unable to stop them. But Frank pushed Harrisons rifle barrel up and told him not to shoot a man in the back. She received $20,000 from the studios as a settlement, a large sum of money at the time. Defensive Decisions: Making & Modifying Personal-Protection Plans, The American Stalking Rifle & The Texas MLD Program. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. [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. A smaller double-stack 9mm pistol with all the great features you've come to expect from Staccato. Early in the fight, Hamer was shot in the shoulder. The family agreed to cooperate in the capture of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. For some reason, possibly his pride, Hamer had chosen to ignore the warning about a potential ambush in Sweetwater. [12] If Hughes had survived the fire, he did not survive the mob afterward, who used dynamite on the vault he'd been locked in and strung Hughes's dead body up. The real Ida Gladys Johnson Hamer was born in 1890 and lived to age 85, passing away in 1976. While the gunfight was in progress there was a Nolan County Grand Jury in session. The route to their home in Snyder took them through Sweetwater. 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. He left the Rangers and was commissioned as a Special Ranger for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. The Johnson and Sims families were prominent ranch families in West Texas and both were used to having their own way about things. With this many gun toters, the stage was set for trouble. Robert McNeal (1738-1818) & Jean Baker (1741-1818) Descendants Outline Chart 1 Robert McNeal 1738 - 1818. Reluctant to leave retirement and his wife Gladys, Hamer joins the manhunt after the . based on information from your browser. Cu MIX za . Hamer married Gladys Johnson while she and her brother, Emmett, were under indictment for killing Gladys' ex-husband, Ed Sims. Phillips, p. 354 n. 3. A couple of other points can be gleaned from Frank Hamers fight. Hamer got out of the car, approached the first group, and said "git" and they left. After the film's release, his widow Gladys and son Frank Jr. sued Warner Bros.-Seven Arts for defamation of character. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. His knowledge of personal defense was not academic, nor were all of his fights in the line of duty. 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. He exposed the Texas Bankers Associations murder machine in 1928. 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. Harrison Hamer assisted in his wounded brothers escape, while the wounded McSwain went after his buffalo gun. and manufacturers. But Frank pushed Harrisons rifle barrel up and told him not to shoot a man in the back. gladys hamer wife of frank hamer Woody Harrelson plays Maney Gault. Today, a jury might get the impression that a person was welcoming the opportunity to engage his enemies. Had Frank and Harrison Hamer stayed together, Frank might not have been shot at all. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. However, he was a lawman of one kind or another for many years and engaged in many shootings. In 1922, he helmed several operations against the Ku Klux Klan and reportedly saved 15 people from being lynched. [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. Verify and try again. Frank could not defend himself, but not to fear, just as she did that day in Sweetwater Gladys had his back. 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. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. He passed away from a stroke on July 10, 1955, at the age of 71. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/frank-hamer-44959.php. On October 1, 1917 the Hamers drove into Sweetwater, Texas. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. [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. 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. Family & Personal Life Francis Hamer exchanged wedding vows with Gladys (ne Johnson) Sims in 1917. 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. [1] He was inducted into the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. The infamous outlaws had murdered over a dozen law enforcement officers and civilians all over the country. In 1917, romance threw Frank Hamer into a first-class Texas feud. 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. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Frank said that when he had a choice he preferred to fight with a rifle, but he also practiced long distance hand-gunning. Hamer survived them all dying in Austin, Texas on July 10, 1955 at the age of seventy-one. He posted their names at the top of the Campbell murder warrants, issued against Barrow, Parker, and John Doe (Methvin) later that week. She had first been elected after her husband "Pa" Ferguson had been impeached and forced to resign as governor,[16] and at least 40 Rangers resigned rather than serve again under her. Oops, something didn't work. 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. [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. His revelation about the racket resulted in public outrage, an investigation, and indictments. Harris, Charles H., and Louis R. Sadler (2007). She was an actress, known for Confessions (1925), Smashing Through (1928) and Not for Sale (1924). Police1 is revolutionizing the way the law enforcement community 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. Try again later. Frank determined that Phillips did not need to be shot dead, because the man did nothing but ruin a good hat. Additionally, it is also never a good idea to split your forces when you know a fight might be about to occur. All rights reserved. "I hated to shoot a womanbut I remembered the way in which Bonnie had taken part in the murder of nine peace officers. Nieman, Robert (2006). "[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. Dan is a member of the Police1 Editorial Advisory Board. This browser does not support getting your location. Texas Ranger Frank Hamer is best known for helping to end the careers of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker. Texas State Library & Archives Commission, "Box 13 Is a Black Mark on Texas Politics. [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. 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. 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. With one hand holding the .45, Hamer used his other hand to beat McMeans about the face. Luxury Holiday Cabin in the Trossachs. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Now, admittedly, Hamer had his hands full, but it appears that he was not aware of the additional threat until the shotgun was fired. He wrenched the weapon out of McMeans hand and began beating him with it as Phillips approached from behind with shotgun, unseen. Their hunt lasted about three months before Barrow and Parker were killed in May. in Aktuality. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Such was the case at Sweetwater, TX. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. For the British Army officer, see. 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. Harrison Hamer, who had just arrived back on the scene, started to shoot the fleeing Phillips. With this many gun toters, the stage was set for trouble. We encourage you to research and examine . Thanks for your help! For some reason, possibly his pride, Hamer had chosen to ignore the warning about a potential ambush in Sweetwater. Hamer and Gault are reluctant to get involved in the case at first, but once they . [36], Hamer used a customized .35 Remington Model 8 semiautomatic rifle with a 15-round magazine that he ordered from Pet McKay's Sporting Goods store in Austin, Texas. He was shipped serial number 10045; at least two Model 8s were used in the ambush. His father was a blacksmith and Hamer worked with him while growing up. Killed in action during World War II at Iwo Jima and served with the 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division, as a Private. Frank had been warned that Gee McMeans would be waiting for them in Sweetwater. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? 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. Frank was 6 years older than her, and lived to age 71, passing . Today, a jury might get the impression that a person was welcoming the opportunity to engage his enemies. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. They made an impromptu plan to kill their dangerous nemesis. [28] Another story stated that a cigar butt "bearing tiny teethmarks" was found in the gravel. Olson, p. 252; Plantinga, p. 152; Wolff, Henry Jr., Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, 1948 United States Senate election in Texas, "The Aspermont Star (Aspermont, Tex. During the 1930s, Hamer worked on behalf of various oil companies and shippers. There is a problem with your email/password. 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. 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. 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. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. 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. Hamers wife Gladys not only shouted Look out! to Frank, but the love of Franks life filled her hand with a pocket Colt and opened fire on Phillips. In 1920 Hamer served as a prohibition officer. How do we create a person's profile? A couple of other points can be gleaned from Frank Hamers fight. 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. The rancher tried to hire Frank to kill a man; when the teenager refused, McSwain fired a shotgun blast into his back. Failed to delete memorial. 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. This article, "Frank Hamer's Sweetwater Fight,"appeared originally as aStraight Talk column in the November 2017 issue of Shooting Illustrated. Phillips, ran up to the struggling pair with his shotgun. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Outside the bank stood two glowering groups of armed men. 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. Akce tdne. 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. With one hand holding the .45, Hamer used his other hand to beat McMeans about the face. 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. Francis Hamer is one of the 31 inductees to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. For some reason, possibly his pride, Hamer had chosen to ignore the warning about a potential ambush in Sweetwater. We have set your language to Weve updated the security on the site. At the height of his career, he was regarded as the archetypal Texas Ranger. [20] Barrow had particularly wanted to free Ralph Fults and Aubrey Skelley, but he considered the raid to be successful retaliation against the prison system. Hamer, Frank , Jr. - The Official Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and . In the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde, Hamer is portrayed by Denver Pyle. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. The trends we saw on the firing line at this year's Media Day At The Range. However, he was a lawman of one kind or another for many years and engaged in many shootings. But Frank pushed Harrisons rifle barrel up and told him not to shoot a man in the back. Recovering somewhat, Hamer drew his .44 Spl. In the early 1930s, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker's crime spree generated vast media coverage which embarrassed law enforcement and government officials in a half dozen states. 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. The smart move would have been to avoid going through the town at all. | NRA Family, How to Point Your Gun in a Safe Direction | NRA Family, Self-Defense for the Aging Shooter | NRA Family, New For 2023: The Gunsite Glock Service Pistol, New For 2023: The Smith & Wesson M&P 5.7 Pistol, New For 2023: The Taurus 605 T.O.R.O. A .357 Magnum small frame revolver that's optics-ready from Day One. 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. Trusted by millions of genealogists since 2003 Trusted information source for millions of people worldwide Additionally, we see the effects of tunnel vision on our awareness in a chaotic situation. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. 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. Required fields are marked *. 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, Modern-Day Lessons from Frank Hamer's Sweetwater Gunfight, 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? In fact, the whole fight might never have happened. There was an error deleting this problem.
Why Did Jarrad Paul Leave Monk, Former Chek News Anchors, Metzeler Cruisetec Vs Michelin Commander 3, Fraserview Golf Academy, Stornoway Gazette Archive, Articles G