2. Frontier Texas celebrates Texas Independence Day with a reenactment of
a gun fight between an outlaw and a lawman. Frontier Texas liaison,
serving as the Visitors Center for Texas Forts Trail. Living history events
help tell the story of charismatic individuals and how their lives intertwine
with the Texas Forts Trail.
3. Santa Claus Bank Robbery
In December of 1927, Marshall Ratliff, Henry Helms, Robert Hill, and Louis
Davis conspired to rob the National Bank of Cisco. While staying at the
boardinghouse of Mrs. Herron, the four outlaws concocted the now infamous
robbery. For fear of being recognized by the citizens of Cisco, Ratliff dressed
in an Santa Claus outfit.
4. The Bad Santa
On December 23, 1927, the four men entered into the bank, all unmasked, except for
Ratliff. As they robbed the bank, they acquired three hostages. During their escape,
Marshal Ratliff and Louis Davis were seriously wounded. Robert Hill and Henry Helms
were apprehended on December 20, 1927, in Graham Texas. Ratliff, Helms, and Hill
were put on trial. Henry Helms received the death penalty, while Ratliff and Hill
received ninety-nine year prison terms. In November of 1929, citizens of Eastland
county took the law into their own hands. They kidnapped Marshall Ratliff and hung
him in downtown Eastland.
5. Mobley Hotel
The Mobley Hotel in Cisco
houses pictures and news
articles pertaining to the
Santa Claus Robbery.
6. The Chase
In 1874, Harding murdered
Deputy Charles Web of Brown
County. Armstrong lead a
country wide manhunt for
Harding. Armstrong obtained
Harding in Pensacola, Florida.
Harding was brought back to
Comanche, Texas, tried and
sentenced to twenty-five years
in prison for the murder of
Charles Web.
John Wesley
Hardin was a
murderous,
outlaw, who
began killing
when he was a
teenager.
7. Emma D.
Banister
Born: October 20, 1871
Husband: Sheriff of Coleman
County, John Banister
Fact: After her husband’s death on
August 1, 1918, Emma was
elected to finish her husbands term
as Sheriff. She became the first
woman sheriff in United States
history.
8. The Old Jail Art
CenterReilly Nail inherited the old Shackelford
County jail building, in 1968. In 1980,
Reilly and Bill Bomar, combined their
collections of 20th Century modern art
and Asian art. These collections formed
the first permanent collection of the Old
Jail Art Center of Albany, Texas. The
Old Jail Art Center has since grown. In
1984, 1996, and 2009 the Old Jail Art
Center received additions to the
structure by architect Arthur Weinman.
The Old Jail Art Center has become a
staple in the community of Albany,
drawing attention and visitors from all
over.
9. The Pursuit
In 1878, Sam Bass and his gang robbed four trains within
twenty-five miles of Dallas. Junius W. Peak was ordered to
create a special detachment of rangers, to hunt down Sam
Bass and his gang. On July 19, 1878 in Round Rock, Texas,
Peak and his rangers engaged in a shoot out with Bass and
his gang. The next morning, Peak found Bass lying injured,
outside of town. Bass was obtained and taken back to Round
Rock, where he later died
10. The Old Jail Museum Complex is located in Palo Pinto County. Visitor’s step back into time when
touring the old structuresto see how people i the past used to live. The most interesting structure
is the old Palo Pinto County Jail. When entering, one first see’s where the jailer and his family
would reside. The second floor leads to a hangman’s noose and a trap door. Outside the structure
are holding cells, used to transport prisoners.
11. The Dynamic Duo
From 1932 to 1934, the dynamic duo known as Bonnie and Clyde, with
the help of their gang, robbed dozens of banks and murdered at least 13
individuals, including two police officers. On May 23, 1934, former Ranger
Frank Hamer ambushed Bonnie and Clyde on a rural Louisiana road.
They unleashed an enormous amount of bullets into the car, killing the
notorious duo.
