205: The Santa Claus Bank Robbery

205: The Santa Claus Bank Robbery

Author: Erica Kelley December 24, 2023 Duration: 25:30
In the lead-up to Christmas, 1927, the good citizens of Cisco, Texas, were looking forward to celebrating the holiday with their nearest and dearest. But a group of men who rolled into town on the morning of December 23 from Wichita Falls had different ideas. Led by an ex-con in a Santa Suit, their actions at the town’s First National Bank went on to spurn one of the state’s biggest manhunts, ultimately leaving six men dead and numerous others wounded. What unfolded not just over the following week but the next couple of years afterward was equal parts a comedy of errors, a gripping tale of Wild West justice, and a tragedy for those who stepped up to protect and serve during one of the most audacious heists in Southern history. This is the story of the Santa Claus Bank Robbery.

Hosted and produced by Erica Kelley
Researched and written by Gemma Harris
Original Graphic Art by Coley Horner
Original Music by Rob Harrison of Gamma Radio
Edited & Mixed by Brandon Schexnayder & Erica Kelley

Sources: https://southernfriedtruecrime.com/santa-claus-bank-robbery

This episode is brought to you by:
  • They say time waits for no one, and neither should payday--See EarnIn.com/TOS for more details.

Hosted by Tennessee native Erica Kelley, Southern Fried True Crime digs into the dark, complex, and often unsettling stories that have shaped the American South. This podcast moves beyond the headlines to examine both historical cases and contemporary crimes, all through the lens of the region's distinct culture. Erica brings a local's perspective, balancing a layer of charm with a direct, no-nonsense approach-what she aptly calls southern sass. Each episode is a deep dive into how geography, tradition, and social structures influence these events and their outcomes. You'll hear detailed narratives that reveal how the justice system operates in the Deep South, for better or worse. The show connects the past to the present, exploring how history echoes in modern courtrooms and investigations. It’s a blend of societal observation, cultural history, and true crime analysis, all grounded in Erica's firsthand understanding of the territory. Listen for thorough research presented in a conversational tone, where the setting is as crucial as the crime itself. This isn't just about the what, but the why and how, specifically within a southern context. Tune in for a compelling exploration where the stories are as layered and potent as the region's famed cuisine.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Southern Fried True Crime
Podcast Episodes
183: The Brutal Murder of Avis Banks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:40
28-year-old Avis Banks was five months pregnant and exhausted. On the evening of Wednesday, November 29th of 2006, Avis was driving home after a long day at work. All she wanted to do was go home, kick off her shoes, and…
182: The Von Stein Attack aka The Dungeons & Dragons Murder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:48
Bonnie and Lieth Von Stein went to bed on a Sunday night in July 1988 content and looking forward to a new future. Hours later, Bonnie would wake to the sound of her husband’s screams and an intruder standing at the foot…
181: The Real Suburban Axe Murder: Candy & Betty [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:21:52
On a hot Friday the 13th in June of 1980, Allan Gore was worried. He couldn't get a hold of his wife, Betty. For hours, he'd called her over and over. No answer. Betty always answered. She didn’t get out by herself, espe…
180: The Alday Family Massacre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:49
For the Alday family, May 14th of 1973 started like any other day. The Alday men woke up before sunrise to tend to their family farm, and the Alday women began working on their chores. They plowed the field, planted corn…
179: Blanket of Silence: Ruby McCollum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:13
In August of 1952, 43-year-old Ruby McCollum, a black woman, was two months pregnant. The father was a 48-year-old white politician named Dr. Clifford Leroy Adams, Jr. For seven years, Dr. Adams had manipulated, bullied,…
178: Parental Alienation & The Death of Dr. Rick Lohstroh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:34
On a Friday afternoon, Dr. Rick Lohstroh parked in his ex-wife Deborah Geisler’s driveway waiting to pick up his two sons. It had been a nasty custody battle and their ten year old son, Aaron, had turned completely again…
177: The Disappearance & Murder of Theresa Parker [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:25
In March 2007, 41-year-old Theresa spent the day moving boxes from her old house to her new apartment. The LaFayette, Georgia 911 dispatcher was leaving her husband. That evening, after seeing her sister, Theresa disappe…
Mississippi Delta: A Southern Gothic Family Mystery [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:55
Just because the police can’t solve a murder doesn’t mean other people won’t find someone to blame. In season 4 of Witnessed: Devil in the Ditch, journalist Larrison Campbell returns to her Mississippi hometown to reexam…
176: The Pop Culture of the Michael Peterson Case [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:07:36
The pop culture of the Michael Peterson case is fascinating. There are many infamous true crime cases that create their own universe. The Peterson case was always going to be famous. But when Netflix bought the rights to…
175: The Neverending Staircase: The Death of Kathleen Peterson, PART 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:55:33
For over two decades, Kathleen Peterson’s mysterious death has captivated America. After the most complex court proceeding in Durham, North Carolina’s history, Michael was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, witho…