Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd

[tdhoneycutt]

I'm reading Michael Wallis' biography The Life and Times of Charles Arthur Floyd: Pretty Boy. There is mention that in 1931, after serving time in prison, Floyd and his wife and child lived under an assumed name in Fort Smith. I've done a cursory check online, but have been unable to find any detail about this period. Jack Dempsey Floyd was in school here during that period, according to the book. I'm curious if there's any research on this period and any information on where the three lived.
Tom Honeycutt
Fort Smith, Arkansas

[calline]

You have,probably, read Ben Boulden's answer to your question but just in case you have not, here it is:

..Home Features Columns Ben Boulden .'Pretty Boy' Floyd Family Lived In Fort Smith
Bank Robber Hid Career From Neighbors

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Sometimes I wonder what it was about Fort Smith that attracted outlaws.

Back in the Judge Isaac Parker days of the late 1800s, federal deputy marshals brought them here for trial.

 From time to time, according to some sources, outlaws like Belle Starr came here simply to shop.

It’s easy to forget that, despite being notorious lawbreakers, they had everyday needs, too, and a need for a place to satisfy them.

That’s probably one of the reasons Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd found life worth living in Fort Smith along with his ex-wife, Ruby, and son, Jack.

He was looking for a good place to hide but also a decent city of residence for his family.

An Inquire Withinner has asked me where the Floyds lived.

Well, you know what a wild outlaw I am. Even at this late date, I can’t bring myself to break the code of honor among thieves to snitch on Pretty Boy.

I’ll get you close to it, though, then you’re on you’re own, OK?

OK, the Floyds, aka the Douglases while living in Fort Smith, resided in a house in the 700 block of North 36th Street from Sept. 11, 1931, until spring 1932.

According to an October 1934 Southwest American news story, they rented it from Etta Buell through the Jones and Yandell real estate firm, paid their rent early and always paid in cash.

Floyd’s wife told everyone her husband was a traveling salesman working out of Kansas City, Mo. When someone asked about him, she would tell people he was tired from the road and was sleeping.

Later, Ruby told Buell her outlaw husband had bought groceries from her many times at the grocery store owned by John and Etta Buell on Midland Boulevard.

A photo published in the American shows the three Floyds standing in front of a detached garage on the property, looking very much like any other family of the time.

Nevertheless, dad had a job that was different from most fathers.

Pretty Boy Floyd robbed at least six banks in Oklahoma while living in Fort Smith, stated Michael Wallis in his biography of the outlaw, “Pretty Boy.”

Wallis reports that the family wasn’t completely reclusive.

They even went out one time to see a movie, “Frankenstein,” and young Jack was enrolled in school here.

Blending in mustn’t have been much of a problem because they never drew the attention of one of their neighbors who likely would have been very interested to know their true identities.

U.S. Deputy Marshal George Yoes lived next door.

Other federal lawmen pursued, shot and killed Pretty Boy on Oct. 22, 1934.