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The 1939 US
83 Salt Fork Red River Through Truss Bridge
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
The U.S. Highway
83 Through Truss Bridge
"Built
in 1939 to replace an earlier bridge over the Salt Fork of the Red
River, six miles north of Wellington
in Collingsworth County.
Soon after the earlier bridge washed out, Bonnie
and Clyde and their gang drove off into the river at high speed
in June of 1933 in what has been called "The Red River Plunge of
Bonnie & Clyde." Bonnie was badly burned, and it is said she couldn't
walk without assistance for the rest of her short life. A neighboring
farm family, acting as Good Samaritans, was held hostage in their
home, and a woman was shot through the hand but not badly injured.
The current bridge is being threatened with demolition by TXDOT
even though it is listed on the National Register."
© Wes
Reeves
2004
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Historical
Marker:
The Red River
Plunge of Bonnie and Clyde
On June 10, 1933,
Mr. & Mrs. Sam Pritchard and family saw from their home on the bluff
(west) the plunge of an auto into Red River. Rescuing the victims,
unrecognized as Bonnie Parker and Clyde and Buck Barrow, they sent
for help. Upon their arrival, the local sheriff and police chief were
disarmed by Bonnie Parker. Buck Barrow shot Pritchard's daughter while
crippling the family car to halt pursuit. Kidnapping the officers,
the gangsters fled. Bonnie
and Clyde were fated to meet death in 1934. In this quiet region,
the escapade is now legend.
(1975) |
The 1939 US
83 Salt Fork Red River Through Truss Bridge
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Salt Fork Red
River Bridge Plaque
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
The 1939 US
83 Salt Fork Red River Through Truss Bridge
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
The 1939 US
83 Salt Fork Red River Through Truss Bridge
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
The 1939 US
83 Salt Fork Red River Through Truss Bridge
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
Crossing the
US 83 Salt Fork Red River Through Truss Bridge
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
The 1939 Salt
Fork Red River Bridge Plaque
Photo courtesy Barclay
Gibson, December 2008 |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and vintage or recent photos, please contact
us. |
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