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Post by charleshelm on Jan 31, 2019 21:34:25 GMT -5
For those interested in what life was like when Howard was writing, or in Texas in the 20s-30s, I recommend A.C. Greene's book about the Santa Claus bank robbery in Cisco, Texas, in 1927 - The Santa Clause Bank Robbery. It shows up in the index of Howard's letters a few times so I know he was aware of it. It also shows the violence and lawlessness that were features of his life. People he knew, good and bad, inspired the characters he created, and their vitality is drawn in part from people like these outlaws who faced....well read it and see. I read it at the urging of a friend who loaned his copy to me, then later bought a signed one for my collection.
If this is the wrong place for this thread please move it to General. It does show how little value was placed on life then, and it takes place near where he lived. I need to look up the references in his letters when they (hopefully) reissue the Collected Letters.
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Post by charleshelm on Feb 3, 2019 16:18:43 GMT -5
If I get time I will try to post a passage or two to give the flavor of it, and if anyone has the Collected Letters and Index maybe they can let us know what Howard said about it.
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Post by charleshelm on Feb 5, 2019 23:18:48 GMT -5
Yes...it was a brutal time but a good read. Howard talked often abut the kinds of men he saw and these flesh out the things he said.
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Post by charleshelm on Feb 11, 2019 22:30:32 GMT -5
Just a few excerpts, from after the robbery...
A stolen getaway car is recovered, in less-than-perfect shape:
Some more clues, abandoned, blood-soaked clothing:
After they release the driver of another purloined automobile, he says the outlaws are willing to die shooting: 
The last two outlaws still on the run were in bad shape:
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Post by linefacedscrivener on Aug 25, 2019 17:48:53 GMT -5
This is a fascinating story that Howard wrote about in a letter to Lovecraft and A.C. Greene's book is excellent (though now out of print from UNT Press). I wrote about the bank robbery in a piece for REHupa, which perhaps I should post here. Meanwhile, this morning, while looking around for a post on Kid Dula, I spotted an article about Manuel "Lone Wolf" Gonzullas on the old REH Two Gun Raconteur website using the Wayback Machine. It is by Damon Sasser and was excellent (better than mine). Enjoy! The "Lone Wolf" of the Texas Rangers |
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Post by charleshelm on Sept 2, 2019 13:05:56 GMT -5
If you repost here I will read it. I got my copy of the book used but in excellent condition.
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