‘Bonnie and Clyde’ folktales live on in Alba museum

Published 11:24 pm Sunday, February 21, 2016

ALBA – Much has been written about the romanticized antics of outlaw couple Bonnie and Clyde, whose reputations as killers and bank robbers is both part-fact, part-Hollywood.

While it’s true Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow and their gang robbed to live, history shows they pursued other interests as well: he liked music, she appreciated fashion and the big stage.

Late Alba beautician Odelle Strickland, who passed away just before turning 100, was familiar with the duo’s artistic sides, according to area residents.

The hairstylist crossed paths occasionally with Ms. Parker, but apparently no laws were broken in the making of their business relationship.

It seems the hair operator was a stickler for straight cuts and full-bodied curls without creases; Ms. Parker enjoyed a well-coiffed hairdo to complement her smokes.

The story of their unlikely interactions is among many colorful tales shared by founders and supporters of the Alba Public Library and Museum, 109 E. Holley St.

Admission is free; donations are welcome. Stories are priceless and plentiful.

You just have to ask the right questions.

Museum founder and curator Sandra Burge is a collector of all things Alba: artifacts, photos, memorabilia and yes, folktales about the famous.

She’s written two books about the community, which dates back to 1843 and once featured coal mining, banks, hotels, theaters, car dealerships and professional offices before falling victim to tough economic times.

Her work was fueled by concerns there are too few public resources attesting to Alba’s rich history.

“I wanted this museum so bad,” Ms. Burge said. “This has always been my dream. I’ve been collecting things for it my whole life… it’s just wonderful to have it.”

In some ways, the attraction could be described as one of East Texas’ best-kept secrets, a go-to depository of little known community facts and tidbits.

Alba native and iconic country music songwriter Leon Payne, of the “I Love You Because” fame, is honored here.

Dr. Robert A. Ferrington’s roll top desk is on display, as are back issues of the Alba Reporter, as assembled by editor and publisher James Dudley.

Other items include an antique car, old signage, farm implements, personal effects and a seemingly endless array of items worth noting, including Ms. Strickland’s photo and vintage hair curling machine.

“Odelle did Bonnie Parker’s hair,” said Jill Russell, an Alba native who administers albatexasevents.com. “It was in Greenville at the time.”

When Bonnie and Clyde passed through that area, they would try to stop in to see Ms. Strickland for a quick style.

“One day Odelle was working on Bonnie’s hair and the phone rang,” said library-museum administrator Cheryl Gill, recalling one of beautician’s many stories. “She answered it and a man said, ‘Odelle, this is the sheriff. I’m going to ask you a few questions. Just answer yes or no.”

Ms. Stickland agreed.

“Are Bonnie and Clyde there now?” the sheriff asked.

“Yes.”

“Will you hold them until we get there?”

“No.”

The jittery Barrow, overhearing the conversation, seemed to know something was up and whisked his ladylove out the door, just steps ahead of the sheriff and his men, Mrs. Gill said.

There was another occasion when Ms. Strickland tried to smuggle a note to authorities in hopes of alerting them to the couple’s presence in her shop, but that effort also failed.

As history recalls, Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and killed in 1934 during a firestorm of gunfire in Louisiana.

Coincidently, Whiskey Pete’s Casino in Nevada keeps the robbers’ bullet-riddled getaway death car and tattered clothing on display.

Alba has Ms. Strickland’s vintage hair curling machine.

There is no signage or mention of Bonnie’s hair fashion at the museum, but there are plenty of stories, if you ask.

Which begs the question: Is Ms. Strickland’s hair curling set the same one used to style Ms. Parker’s hair?

Conventional wisdom points to yes, locals said, but only the late stylist could say for certain.

Ms. Burge said the machine was among the beautician’s most prized possessions.

“We have a lot of people giving us things,” she said. “It’s our history.”

Local officials appear grateful for Ms. Burge’s passion to preserve and protect the place they call home.

“If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have this,” said Mayor Ted Levitt, who believes Alba’s museum-library could rival any big city display. “It’s just a real special place and we would love for people to come see it.”

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