William J. Meyers

THE DEATH OF HENRY STARR

Film Restorations

I just returned from the hometown of my wife and kids and I thought I’d share an interesting story from this small town in the rugged Ozarks of northwest Arkansas. Several years ago, I worked on a project with the Genealogical Department of the Boone County Library, where I needed to scan hundreds of old photographs of the area and its inhabitants, dating back to the 1800s. I restored a few of these images to bring this story back to life.

William J. Meyers
William J. Meyers

Above is William J. Myers, the bank president in Harrison, who gunned down the notorious bank robber, horse thief, and silent film actor, Henry Starr, on February 18, 1921.

Henry Starr
Henry Starr

During his thirty-two years in crime, Henry Starr robbed more banks than the James-Younger Gang and the Doolin-Dalton Gang put together. “The Cherokee Badman” netted over $60,000 from more than twenty-one bank robberies.

He started robbing banks on horseback in 1893. After going to prison in 1915 in Arizona, Starr published his autobiography, THRILLING EVENTS: LIFE OF HENRY STARR. Upon his release on parole, Starr even portrayed himself in the silent film, A DEBTOR TO THE LAW (1919). Starr was also the first bank robber in the United States to use an automobile for getaways. He ended up robbing his last with an automobile when he met his fate in Harrison, Arkansas.

Henry Starr
Henry Starr

Myers shot Starr with a .38 caliber Winchester rifle, 1873 model, during a robbery attempt. It was a gutshot, and Starr died from his wound three days later.

Historical photos are rare treasures. I can bring them back to life. Check out my portfolio: PHOTO RESTORATIONS.

GREAT-GRANDMA PAPAGNI

Photo Restorations

Today’s restoration features this passport photo of my Great-Grandma Papagni taken in the late 1970s. She was on her way to visit Italy, her homeland. Born in 1899, Angelina immigrated to California in 1919 – to meet her betrothed husband, Mauro. For decades they lived their lives and raised their children on a farm in the Central Valley.

When I was in kindergarten at Homan Elementary in Fresno, Grandma lived in a house on Brown Ave. just a few blocks away. I would get done with Mrs. Ford’s class at 11 AM and walk the few blocks to Grandma’s. Over the next couple hours, I would sit at the kitchen table as Grandma sliced fresh tomato and some homemade bread, then she’d scramble a couple eggs in olive oil. She’d sit with me at the table as I’d eat and we’d talk. She spoke in broken English, heavy with accent, slipping in and out of Italian. She would laugh at my stories and I’d laugh at hers and then she’d pinch my cheek real hard and call me her “chickadee.” Us great-grandkids were all her little chickadees. I’ll always cherish those mornings with Grandma Papagni.

If you have an old photo of a loved one you’d like to have restored, I’m running a promotion on photorestoration – $35 per image – check out my portfolio and contact me for more info:

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PAPA TOLLIE’S FILMS – 1967

Film Restorations

Take a trip back in time to 1967 with Papa Tollie Sutterfield in Northwest Arkansas. These are his restored Super 8mm films:

CONTENTS

  1. Linda’s baccalaureate at Sue’s dad’s Part 1 of Graduation (May 1967)
  2. Last Part of Linda’s graduation (May 11, 1967)
  3. Marshall graduation; Tolisa was flower girl at Bro. S during our revival at Calico (May 1967)
  4. At Bro. S at Norfork Dam and Fish Hatchery and our anniversary picture (May 1967)
  5. Picnic and fishing trip (June 1967) – Sue’s dad’s cattle – Missionettes at Hot Springs
  6. Sue and her family at Blanchard; Baptismal service at Big Creek – James Sutterfield helped at service; Taking Missionettes to Hot Springs; Baptismal June and July
  7. Morrow reunion at Big Flat; Thomas and Tollie J. playing; Naona and Richard leaving; Children’s crusade with Sis. S (August 1967)
  8. Billy and Betty R and me at Blanchard Springs; Sutterfield reunion near Big Creek (Sept. 1967); Puppies
  9. Sue’s Dad’s cattle and grandparents.
  10. Talmai’s birthday; puppies playing (Sept.); Sue’s 25th birthday
  11. Deer hunt, 9 point buck that I killed, squirrel hunt (Nov.-Dec.)
  12. Christmas 1967; Sunday school classes opening presents; First part of Christmas play
  13. Last part of Christmas play; Tolisa and Tollie J. opening their first Christmas gifts, etc.
  14. At Sue’s parents opening presents; Tollie J. opening presents
  15. Tollie J. and Tolisa opening presents
  16. Dad, mom, Talmai and Joel opening presents at our house; Opened presents from church; kids playing
  17. Dad’s 71st birthday at Big Flat; Kids playing in snow