The Santa Claus Bank Robbery of 1927
🕑 Added 2024-12-14 16:24:17 +0000 UTC(We apologize for the earlier technical difficulties!!)
Special holiday bonus episode!
Christmas time, 1927, in the small central Texas town of Cisco. It’s a fast-growing, bustling town thanks to the oil boom of the early 20s. Two days before Christmas, children are laughing, shopkeepers are busy, and families are preparing for festive gatherings. But no one knows that Christmas is about to take a dark, bloody turn. Santa Claus is coming to town – but he’s not bringing presents.
Snacks: Peppermint meltaway cookies, gochujang caramel cookies, chocolate chip cookie bark, Christmas monster cookies
Sources:
https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/santa-claus-bank-robbery
https://www.wideopencountry.com/the-great-santa-claus-bank-robbery/
https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/609749/santa-claus-bank-robbery-1927
https://texaspolitics.utexas.edu/archive/html/exec/governors/15.html
“Charges filed as bank raid story told by youth.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Apr 11, 1926, p. 10.
“Valera robber given 18 years.” Fort Worth Record-Telegram, May 5, 1926, p. 10.
“Pardons asked for Valera robbers.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Aug 26, 1926, p. 9.
“Ratliff held in corpus for Cisco police.” Abilene Reporter-News, Nov 6, 1927, p. 1.
“Wounded Cisco bank bandit brought here: Police chief dies, shot by robbers.” Fort Worth Record-Telegram, Dec 24, 1927, p. 1.
“Four Cisco bank robbers still at large.” Wichita Falls Times, Dec 24, 1927, p. 1.
“2 girls taken by Cisco bandits are left when car abandoned.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dec 24, 1927, p. 1.
“Cisco chief dead; two dying.” Abilene Reporter-News, Dec 24, 1927, p. 1.
“Remaining robbers surrounded Tues. in Young County.” Corsicana Semi-Weekly Light, Dec 27, 1927, p. 1.
“‘Santy’ bandit shot, caught.” The Brownsville Herald, Dec 27, 1927, p. 1.
“Posse prepares for attack: Two remaining bandits of bank holdup in Cisco trapped near South Bend.” Abilene Reporter-News, Dec 28, 1927, p. 1.
“‘Maw’ tells story of Helms ‘going on long trip’; made Santa mask.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dec 31, 1927, p. 6.
“99 years in Cisco bandit case.” Abilene Daily Reporter, Jan 27, 1928, p. 1.
Comments
Rich Bentley
Aww Kristi 🥹♥️😭 What a lovely, kind message!! We are so humbled and grateful you’re enjoying the podcast. Thank you for your support! We’ve both been through some hard things and gratitude is really important to us. We try not to take anything for granted…like the wonderful listeners and friends like you we’ve found along the way. I think we might answer a few more questions in the last episode of the year…yours is a great one! I found a game called “Masterpiece” several years ago at a rummage sale. You can find it on eBay but otherwise I don’t think it’s made anymore. We also like Rummikub, Quirkle, Racko…simple games. Do you have any you recommend? Hope you have a wonderful holiday season ♥️♥️
Kristi
Hi! Just joined the LMK Elite yesterday! Your comforting voices and adorable, obvious love for each other and your family is so refreshing. You are the salt of the earth and I love that you seem to embrace JOY at every opportunity. And then… you balance all that gooey stuff by tossing in some playfully fake jabs across the table at each other (it seems Tina > Rich 🤣 ). Rich, how sincere you are when you humbly respond and let us know how attractive you still find your dear, sweet wife. It’s so obvious how much you compliment each other as partners and podcast hosts. All evidence points to that, because you’re both still alive. Well played. I give you a 10/10. It seems I’m kinda love bombing y’all aren’t I. ❤️♥️❤️ First episode I listened to motivated me to organize my pantry. Tina: I really want to come hang out in your pantry instead. 😂 I never did get around to it. Rich, I believe you have all the tools to host a podcast all about The Beatles? And speaking of Woodchucks chucking, I ask you: How many Zombies would Rob Zombie Rob if Rob Zombie could Rob Zombies? If you ever put together a live tour (that’d be so great!) please be sure to head my way! I’m not far… just a state away close to the MOA. I hope your Christmas lights remain in place and every bulb stays lit, and your cats stay out of your Christmas Tree. Blessings to you and yours and I’m glad to hear you have a nice relaxing time planned to chill with your kids. A Question I’d love to ask: What are your family’s favorite board games, card games, playful togetherness activities you traditionally play or that all 4 of you really look forward to doing together when gathered for the holidays? You guys are killing it. ~Kristi
Rich Bentley
Thank you, Beth!! ♥️