Summers, F E 1981, 1982
F. E. Summers, former sheriff of Winkler County, Texas, discusses law enforcement in the 1920s and 1930s, particularly in Wink and other oil boomtown areas.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: F.E. Summers
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: March 31, 1981; August 10, 1982
Location: Kermit, Texas
Interviewer: Richard Mason
Length: 6 hours 50 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Wink, Texas,
Population (1931),
Rapid growth,
Tents,
Major oil companies,
Camps,
Crime (1930s),
Bootlegging,
Bank robberies,
Law enforcement officer,
Beginning, Wichita Falls, Texas,
Speed limit (1924),
F. D. (Frank) Summers, father,
Summers Tobacco and Candy Company,
Store robberies,
Burkburnett, Texas, oil boom,
Law enforcement problems,
Santa Claus Bank Robbery (December 1927),
Bandits,
Manhunt,
Cy Bradford, Strawn officer,
Wichita Falls, Texas,
Motorcycle officer (1927),
Ku Klux Klan activity (1922-1924).
Tape 1, Side 2: Apprehending burglars,
Anecdote,
Homer Bentley, partner,
Guns,
Single action,
Loading,
Blackie Keys,
Raymond Hall,
Rape,
Handcuffs,
Raymond Hall (again),
Life sentence,
Habitual Criminal Act,
"Uncle" Bud Russell,
Penitentiary agent.
Tape 2, Side 1: Raymond Hall (again),
Anecdote,
Apprehension,
Writer,
Murders,
Chase scene,
To Wink, Texas,
Politicians,
Dishonest,
Bob Williams, escapee,
Henry Starr gang,
Boomtowns,
Loners,
Violence,
Citizens’ attitudes,
Corrupt government,
Factions,
Wink, Texas,
Criminal activity,
Boomtowns (again),
Struggle for town control,
Prostitution,
Burials,
Criminals,
Gambling.
Tape 2, Side 2: H. Lloyd,
Burial,
Wink, Texas (again),
Deputy,
Sheriff (1938),
Doctor,
Heavy Brackeen,
Bootlegger,
Muggings,
W. A. Priest, sheriff,
Buck Weaver, deputy,
Ferguson administration,
Hale Kirby, Texas Ranger,
Police and Sheriff Convention,
Wolf Gonzales,
Red River dispute,
Speakeasies.
Tape 3, Side 1: Mr. McCormick, chief of police,
Wichita Falls, Texas,
Law enforcement,
To Wink, Texas (1931),
Wild reputation,
Buck Weaver, deputy sheriff (again),
Anecdote,
Drinking problem,
Corrupt citizens,
Gang members,
Peg Wilson, county commissioner,
Al Jennings.
Tape 3, Side 2: Wink, Texas 1931 (continued),
W. A. Priest, sheriff,
Dishonest,
George Wright, chief-of-police,
Blackie Laughlin,
Murdered,
Al Jennings,
Tony Wilburn, barber,
Judge W. E. Cooke,
Clyde Barton,
County auditor (1931),
Anecdote (1945).
Tape 4, Side 1: Red Laughlin,
Wichita Falls, Texas (again),
Robberies,
Law enforcement,
Changes,
Gun control,
Wink, Texas (again),
Bootleggers,
Law enforcement,
Officer brutality,
Wink, Texas (again),
Prostitution,
Counterfeiters,
Hijackers,
Gun battles,
Heavy Brackeen (again),
Texas Rangers,
Effectiveness.
Tape 4, Side 2: Wink, Texas (continued),
Guns,
W. A. Priest, sheriff (again),
Gambling,
Heavy Brackeen (again),
Funeral,
Ellis Summers,
Attempt to resign,
Dick Taylor, constable,
"Humpty" Jack Norwood,
Death,
Appearance,
Wink, Texas (again),
Sam Chambers,
Slot machines,
"Whoretown",
Rumors,
Location,
Major oil companies,
Camps,
Locations.
Tape 5, Side 1: "Moonlight and Skies",
Song,
Raymond Hall, composer,
Law enforcement officers,
Murders,
Penal code,
Importance,
Crime,
Past versus present,
Drug abuse,
Prohibition,
Ronald Reagan administration,
Born (December 31, 1904),
Raymond Hall (again),
Anecdote,
Personality,
Peachtree Jones, escaped convict,
Apprehension,
Fire,
Anecdote.
Tape 5, Side 2: Fire (continued),
Man killed.
Tape 6, Side 1: Wichita Falls, Texas (again),
Constable (1924),
Father’s business,
Marriage (1926),
Employment with Police Department (1927),
Motorcycle duty,
Robberies,
Car theft,
Shoot-out,
Santa Claus bank robbery (again),
Hanging.
Tape 6, Side 2: Filling station robbery,
Car pursuit,
Foot pursuit,
Shoot-out,
Injuries,
Deaths,
Criminals involved,
Blackie Keys (again),
Raymond Hall (again),
Court case,
Escape from jail,
Raymond Hall (again).
Tape 7, Side 1: Resignation, Wichita Falls Police Department,
Wink, Texas (again),
Oil boom,
Crime,
Blackie Laughlin,
Buck Weaver,
Boomtown drifters,
Telephone conversation,
Wichita Falls,
Ambush.
Tape 7, Side 2: Heavy Brackeen (again),
Filling station robbery (1932),
Bullet wound,
Shoot-out,
Wink (again),
Power structure,
Corruption,
Prostitution,
Elimination,
City reform,
Walter McCormick,
Law enforcement,
Excitement,
Wink,
Blackie Laughlin murder,
Significance,
Wichita Falls (again),
Crime (1920s),
Burkburnett, Texas, oil boom.
Tape 8, Side 1: Prohibition,
Bootlegging,
Law enforcement.
Tape 8, Side 2: Blank
Range Dates: 1904-1945
Bulk Dates: 1920-1945
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