Thursday, May 8, 2008

Dillingers Bunk in the Barn


Last weekend, when we were in Indiana, I had the opportunity to sit down with Big Daddy's grandfather. I asked him to "tell me his stories". I love to hear them and I know that when he goes (his health has been declining) they will go with him. I brought a tape recorder so that I could write down what he tells so that one day my children will have those stories. It's their history.
One of the stories was always especially interesting to me. I asked Grandpa to tell it to me again. I got the very abbreviated version, as Grandpa is not up to much talking these days. In the 1930's Grandpa's Dad was still living at home. Grandpa detested the man for the way he treated his wife and children. When Grandpa became old enough to hold a job he actually paid off his dad to leave and never return. The man took the money and did just that. But before all of this happened, when Grandpa was a just young boy, he told of the story of when his father allowed the Dillinger gang to come and stay in Grandpa's family barn. His mother was told to feed the overnighters, though I am not sure she wanted them there. I never did get the purpose of the detour to their barn, only to understand that they were just "passing through town". I am wondering if it was when they were on the run. Next phone call, and if Grandpa has his teeth in so I can understand him (smile), I hope to find out more.

8 comments:

ronforu2 said...

Nice paint job, what kind of cabinets where they before you painted, and what kind of paint did you use? Looks great

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Ut-oh, Ronforu2, I hope I am not being graded on this. I would probably fail. But I went to Ace and got their brand of indoor semigloss paint. They had some in a premixed black that exactly matched the sample I gave them. Thanks! I like it so much better. It doesn't look as "busy" in there now.

Anonymous said...

Now that is a really interesting story, about the Dilingers. Indiana people rock!

Lindsey said...

What a cool story!

The Hickmans said...

I love hearing elderly people's stories- so interesting! My sister did the same thing (tape recorder) with my grandpa one time- now I want to try to find it. :)

"J" said...

That is soooooooooooo COOL!!!! =) I know I say COOL way to much...lol =) Oh well!

My Paw-Paw (dad's dad) just turned 93 and he has sooooooooooooo many GREAT stories to tell! I need to record him!!! He has told me about Bonnie and Clyde...how the drove through the town where he lived. I really need to record that story!!! That is some MAJOR history!!!

Travis Cody said...

That's great that you're getting some of those stories. Last year I asked my grandfather to write some things down. I don't get to see him very often because he lives so far away, but I remember so many great stories from when I was a kid.

He's got his computer, so I hope he's done something of a memoir for us.

Nicolle said...

I just got your comment and found this story you told me to read. I love it. How interesting, and what cool history for him to have told you. Yes, I dig stuff like this. Thank you for sharing! I am going to read more on the link that is here....very cool!

I do think we have lots in common! :)