Rampage in Russellville

I was looking forward to seeing this mural in person while filming in Russellville. I confess that quite a few of these small towns are blurring together in my mind. Many have the Main Street with a town square and a bank in the center.

I find it very odd that the bank would feature this mural commemorating the bank robbery of 1868.   What bank wants to boast that they've been robbed? Notice in the picturesque mural that everyone is frozen, looking stunned. It does not portray the chaotic blood bath recorded in the newspaper.  At the former bank site, I found a big hole of debris, surrounded by a chain link fence and covered with black plastic tarp. I do not know what happened to the mural, but suspect that the library has it safely archived.

ironic juxtaposition of the sign and rubble

more ironic juxtaposition with Crazy Ray's Gun & Pawn Shop

Call me crazy, but does it seem wise to have a gun store next to a bank, especially one that was robbed at gunpoint? Also I keep coming back to opioid addiction. Although Kentucky's death rate by opioid overdose is much lower than West Virginia, it is considerably higher than many other states. Despite having a small population of 7000 people, the town has a major drug and alcohol rehab treatment facility center. Guns, opioid addicts and a vault full of money--seems like a volatile combination. But the town's resolution-- demolishing the bank.

per capita drug death rate in KY--23.6 vs WV--43 in 2016
probably higher now

the town square across from Crazy Ray's Gun & Pawnshop
and pile of rubble formerly known as the bank

On March 20, 1868, six men rode up on horseback to the bank. One was stationed by the back door. Jesse, Frank and Cole Younger went into the bank. Younger asked to change a 50 dollar bill. The clerk named Long said it was counterfeit. Younger didn't like the answer and pulled a gun on Long (as did Jesse & Frank), demanding Long hand over all the money in the bank. Long made a run for it to the back door. Jarrette (the back door bandit) shot Long and the bullet grazed his scalp. Long got up and continued to run. Two other bandits shot at him, but missed. Meanwhile Frank, Jesse & Cole had two other clerks held at gunpoint and forced them to put all the money into wheat sacks. I find this detail fascinating. What is the significance of wheat sacks??? As the outlaws made their getaway with $12,000 in loot,  a "young citizen" named O.C. Matt Owens ran after them with a rifle. He was shot and lived. 

note that this illustration shows a more chaotic scene with
gun shots and fleeing, terrified townspeople. 

An excerpt from the Nashville Banner on 3/22/1868, "They rode splendid horses and were as completely armed and equipped as the most daring and accomplished highwayman could desire. Five miles from Russellville, the trail was lost in the woods."  The journalist is clearly in awe of the outlaws; hence cultivating the notorious celebrity of the James brothers. 

photo of bank circa 1860's

my lock of hair--
after photographing, I threw it over the fence
and into the pile of building rubble