Bonnie and Clyde Robbed the Stuart Bank on this Date, 1934

Nine months after their shootout in Dexfield Park, Bonnie and Clyde returned to the area and robbed the Stuart bank, just five miles to the west of Dexter, Iowa.

Photo by Jon Morgan

From the Stuart website: “On April 16, 1934, the First National Bank in Stuart fell victim to infamous outlaws Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. The bank lost about $1,500 (approximately $30,000 today). Bonnie & Clyde were chased out of Stuart by a local posse and killed in a police ambush in Louisiana approximately one month later. Although there were fortunately no fatalities in the Stuart robbery, the Barrow gang is believed to have murdered at least nine police officers and four civilians during their crime sprees. First National Bank in Stuart ceased operations in 1944, and the building now houses a hair salon. It is located at the intersection of North 2nd Street and Division Street in the heart of downtown Stuart. Historical markers have been erected at this popular tourist attraction.”

Today, an upstairs apartment of the bank building is being converted into an Airbnb, called the Bonnie & Clyde Hideout.

—–

There was an attempt to rob that same bank during the night of March 29/30, 1921, resulting in no money lost but the death of the Stuart night watchman, John Kerr Meyers.

My grandfather, Clabe Wilson, became part of Stuart’s history when he became their next nightwatchman. Here is the story of the robbery attempt, the loss of Mr. Meyers, and the new man the town hired.