91 years ago today, Bonnie and Clyde were almost caught in a shootout near Des Moines
Did you know part of the search for Bonnie and Clyde took place here in Iowa 91 years ago? On July 24, 1933, the Barrow Gang passed through the Des Moines area.
Why were Bonnie and Clyde in Iowa?
The Barrow Gang was involved in a shootout with law enforcement in Platte City, Missouri on July 20, 1933. It's believed they fled the town near Kansas City for Iowa. They were spotted that day by a farmer near Mount Ayr in southern Iowa, according to the Register's archives, before moving on to the Dexter area.
They were also suspected of robbing three oil stations in Fort Dodge before the Platte City shootout.
What happened during the Barrow Gang's shootout in Dexter, Iowa?
The gang sought refuge in a wooded area west of Des Moines, near Dexter. They were later spotted by a farmer.
A posse of more than 50 law enforcement officials from agencies including the U.S. Marshall's Service, Iowa's bureau of investigations, Des Moines Police Department and county sheriff's participated in the manhunt, according to the Des Moines Tribune's archives.
91 yrs ago today DMPD officers were part of one of the biggest manhunts in history; the search for Bonnie & Clyde.
On the run from a shootout in Missouri, the Barrow gang sought refuge in a wooded area west of Des Moines near Dexter….
🧵#bonnieandclyde #crimehistory pic.twitter.com/GXaC6z5C3X— Des Moines Police (@DMPolice) July 24, 2024
The Des Moines Police Department shared on social media that eight of its officers were part of the posse.
The gang was cornered at Dexfield, an abandoned amusement park, in Dexter.
Which member of the Barrow Gang died in Iowa?
Clyde's brother, Marvin "Buck" Barrow, was shot by the posse and captured. He was taken to the hospital in Perry and died on Saturday, July, 29, 1933, according to the Register's archives.
Buck Barrow's wife, Blanche, was captured. The Des Moines Police Department said she was taken back to Des Moines on fugitive charges and later convicted in Missouri.
Bonnie Parker, Clyde Barrow and W.D. Jones, also known as Jack Sherman, escaped and stole another car in Polk City, according to the Register's archives. Reports sad they may have passed through Kossuth County in northern Iowa and spent that night in O'Brien County in northwest Iowa.
Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Bonnie and Clyde almost got caught near Dexter, Iowa in July 1933
