Cushing, Oklahoma was the site of a surprise, and less than successful, robbery by the notorious and slightly inept, Al Jennings Gang in 1897. Already being hunted by U.S. Marshalls, the quartet of outlaws zagged when the law was certain they would zig thus ending up in Cushing, Payne Co., Oklahoma Territory. One of the co-owners of 'Cozier and Nutter', a small mercantile shop was awakened in the night, given a story of the men needing emergency funeral clothes and allowed into the store.
The owner/manager had already deposited the til so all the erstwhile outlaws ended up with was an assortment of clothes, change from pockets and - some bananas. The gang members - 'Dynamite Dick' Clifton, Al and Frank Jennings, "Little Dick" West. They escaped - with their goodies and fruit- but it was just a matter of time. Soon after 'Dynamite Dick' would die and the band would slip away to escape notice. They hoped. It failed and the law prevailed.
Al Jennings would go to jail, be released, and eventually run for Oklahoma Governor before heading to Hollywood to sell his story, "Beating Back'" to the movies. Truth really is stranger than fiction.
Comments
Post a Comment