song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 13 - 08:19 PM

I just want to let everyone know my book has been released.
Inside the Shelton Gang One Daughter's Discovery.
It can be ordered at Illinoishistory.com/books

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 03:20 PM

Steve,
Seems you aren't a Mudcat member. Hell, I thought you were.

Art

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Apr 11 - 03:15 PM

Steve Suffet---could this twentieth century Shelton Gang violence be tied to LEE SHELTON killing Mr. Lyon--which you say is the basis for the song about "Stacker Lee" ????????????? (1890's killing of Billy De Lyon ??)

What do ya think?

(I'll P.M. you about this.)

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Donna J. Bean
Date: 29 Mar 11 - 01:54 AM

Hello People
I couldn't but read your posts on this board and I felt compelled to post that my grandmother is Martha Elizabeth Henson-McDowell and she originated from Fairfield IL and her cousin was Fred Henson she has a casssette tape recording of the song of The Death of Carl Shelton. She also loves to talk about the old days. So If anyone wishs to contact her she is 84 years old happily married to William Wayne McDowell of Mattoon. Again, anyone interested in talking to her can do so through my email of [e-mail] or call her at 217-234-4330
wayne and martha this year will be celebrating 65 years of wedded bliss and they love to chat so be prepared if you call for a long call.

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 06:02 PM

Fred Henson was my great uncle: his brother John was my grandfather, who married my grandmother Ruth Ann Webb Henson. John was a drifter who abandoned his wife Ruth and my father, Darold, in Lincoln, IL, where my father stayed. I have much enjoyed this thread and was happy beyond words to find the links to Fred Henson's folk songs. Here is part of the story of the family John Henson left behind:

http://findinglincolnillinois.com/ruthhensons.html

Leigh Henson

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Bill
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 10:41 PM

all the brothers, sisters and nephew's were completely lost with the death of Carl, they were like a ship without a rudder, doom ed they were

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Bill
Date: 13 Feb 11 - 10:36 PM

that was a sad song

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Ruthie Shelton
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 12:08 PM

The house you mention is on the Cisne curve. It belonged to my grandfather, Dalta Shelton. It's still there but it's in very bad condition. My dad is Little Carl. Please e-mail me- [e-mail]

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Jan 11 - 12:28 AM

Hello I to am related to the Shelton Brothers. Carl was my mothers uncle. I remember her telling me stories about her sitting on Little Carls and Big Carls lap at an old brick home that sits just north of route 45 just south of Cisne illinois a little town just north of Fairfield. She is originally from Fairfield and she also told me stories how my grandfather her dad use to run around with the sheltons and my uncles did also. Everytime we would go to Fairfield to visit my grandparents she would sing that song to us. Wow what great memories. Would love to talk and find more out about relations to me and possibly the sheltons. My uncle was with one of the shelton boys when he got shot not for sure which one i will check into it and see if he will tell me he dont talk to much about much anymore.

Subject: RE: song search: Charlie Birger - Shelton Gang
From: GUEST,ask
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 11:21 PM

I'm looking for songs about Charlie Birger, and/or the Shelton Gang. My dad's family knew Charlie, thought this would make a good Christmas gift... any ideas where or how to get the music (albums, cd's)?

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Oct 10 - 09:27 PM

Has anyone found the song song-the death of Carl Shelton

---

Sure thing. Look above (click).
-Joe Offer, Forum Moderator-

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Shane Tyler
Date: 05 Oct 10 - 07:51 PM

Thanks Ruthie and Art for the information. The granite pun was quite funny. Hannahs house may be the place across from the library that I had been told about. I will definitely have to check that out. Once I make this trek I will repost with my adventures. I seen Al Capone is buried a short drive from here too in Mt Carmel Illinois. History all around. Thanks again

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Ruthie Shelton
Date: 04 Oct 10 - 12:24 PM

Hi Shane,
I'm Little Carl Shelton's daughter. In Fairfield, Il. there is a museum called "Hannah House." There is a very interesting display about the Shelton Gang. I thought you might enjoy seeing it.
Ruthie

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 01 Oct 10 - 11:31 PM

Shane,
I don't know if that Birger hideout marker stone -- granite I think--at least "I took it for granite" (little pun)is still there or not. It has probably been 30 years since I was down there and took that photo. Judging how it it was partly blasted away by shotguns, it's probably just a little pile of gravel now. ;-)

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 07:40 PM

Folks, I was sure it was Neely's book where it was stated that he couldn't find the song about the Shelton Bros. BUT possibly it was Olive Burt's book, the one Joe Offer cited as the source, that I was remembering. Me and memory don't do too well these days.

Art

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Shane Tyler
Date: 29 Sep 10 - 03:02 PM

Art,   I checked out your picture of the Shady Rest stone, do you know if that is still there? I used to drive route 13 about once a week to Harrisburg but never seen anything about the location being marked. I always imagined the Sheltons flying overhead dropping what is called the "first aerial bomb on U.S. soil" over Shady Rest. I work in Mt. Vernon Illinois, a town about 20 miles west of Fairfield. Been talking to some of the older guys about the Sheltons brothers. They have been telling me the location to Pond Creek Bottoms and that Fairfield has a place in town depicting the Sheltons era. Benton has the Franklin County jail house that they have turned into a museum and it has information from the Charlie Birger days. I would say the day of his hanging was quite an event. With all this history so close I think I will make a day of finding out and seeing more of it. Thanks for keeping the history alive!

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 28 Sep 10 - 07:24 PM

Shane Tyler,

Benton, Illinois !! That was quite a day---gathering there, I do suspect, April 19th, 1928 ---- the day Charlie Birger was hanged there in Benton.

Good hearing from you----and thanks for giving this thread a real connection -- a human face, so to speak, on these sad doings.

Best Regards,
Art Thieme

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Shane Tyler
Date: 27 Sep 10 - 07:13 PM

This is a great thread! Very interesting. I had heard the song of Charlie Birger before but never one of the Sheltons. I've been to the Sheltons grave site in Fairfield, Illinois. It kind of surprised me when I stopped at a locale convenient store and the older lady wasn't familiar with the Sheltons brothers. I'm from Benton Illinois, this history has always interested me. Thanks for all the input.

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,p.k. cravens
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 07:01 PM

I am looking for information regarding a murder at an outdoor skating rink in the 1930's. I think it is Shelton related. Both of my parents spoke of this event. Who, what, when, where?

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 07 Sep 10 - 08:08 PM

Folks, I just listened to 'The Death Of Carl Shelton' another time and, whew, Fred Henson only seems to know ONE BASS RUN --- and he uses it over and over---and over. Some of the time it even fits the song, but, boy, when it doesn't fit, it sure is annoying. If, at this late date, I could locate Mr. Henson, I would quickly set him straight.

Such is life--I guess!
Art

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,cindy coleman
Date: 12 Jul 10 - 12:33 PM

i just came back to this site after 6 months away and found the recording of the death of carl shelton. thank you joe for putting
it up here. hope it will be here awhile so that i can listen to
it from time to time.

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: BK Lick
Date: 20 Jun 10 - 03:38 AM

To easy find the photo Art is talking about, click on the "Search" link
near the top of every page and then search for "shady rest" (without the quotation marks).

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Ann Wallace
Date: 19 Jun 10 - 02:21 PM

There was a little town of Merriam that was south of Rte. 15 in
Wayne County. It may no longer be on all maps. Enjoyed finding
these songs. Thanks for sharing this local history.

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: katlaughing
Date: 25 May 10 - 11:44 PM

Art, this continues to be one of the best and most interesting threads in all my years at Mudcat. Thanks for keeping us up to date and thanks to Ruthie and other family members for posting.

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Ruthie Shelton
Date: 25 May 10 - 05:31 PM

Hi Brandon,
Sorry it took me so long to answer you, I haven't checked this site in a while. I'll make sure I keep checking more often.
The Shelton brothers were Roy, Carl, Earl, Bernie and my grandfather Dalta.
Ruthie

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 May 10 - 06:48 PM

Folks,
We have had some activity at BKLick's website where my folk scene photos can be seen. If you click on the thumbnail photo of the shotgun-blasted granite stone marking the site of Shady Rest--the hideout for rival gang leader Charlie Birger -- you will enlarge the photo. SCROLL DOWN and I have written a summary paragraph for the photo. Today I've added a comment there to tell another Shelton family member about this thread. I do hope that by refreshing this thread those people can find the thread easier.

Art Thieme

Subject: DeathOf Carl Shelton hearable in thread
From: Art Thieme
Date: 13 May 10 - 11:25 PM

The 1948 recording of "The Death Of Carl Shelton" is now available for listening (thanks to Joe Offer.

Click on the link in Joe's post (or here) to hear it!!
The whole sad and violent story is there in that thread

Art Thieme

---

Click to play (Death of Carl Shelton)

Click to play (Alone Away Out There)

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 13 May 10 - 11:11 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 11 May 10 - 04:56 PM

Joe,

Thanks for putting those up in an accessible format. I'll strive to get the word out to interested ones.

Thanks so much!!

Mudcatters:
As with many historical songs, they are important to scholars looking passionately for insights into those other times. The Death Of Carl Shelton is a song I've been looking for a LONG old time--ever since I saw it mentioned almost in passing by Neely in his book. Ballads And Songs Of Southern Illinois. And to find Ruthie Shelton coming into this thread adds a poignancy I'd never imagined. Thanks to Ruthie for sending me her only cassette tape of these two songs done in 1948 by Mr. Henson. It is the end of a long search for me--and a good thread to boot. My intent was only to find a good song that is palpable and a real document of people living their lives out in other times and places. That has always been my reason for being in this folk music world---to find and bring forth these hidden treasures!

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Joe Offer
Date: 05 May 10 - 07:41 PM

Here are the recordings Art sent me, both recorded in 1948 by Fred Henson:

---

Click to play (Death of Carl Shelton)

Click to play (Alone Away Out There)

---

I'll leave them up for at least a while. Thanks for sending them again, Art. They were somewhere on my computer, but I couldn't find them.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 12:34 PM

I'll see what I can do, Art. It might take me a day or two.:-)

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 30 Apr 10 - 12:05 PM

If I could do it, I would post a link to the song "The Death Of Carl Shelton" as done by Fred Henson in 1948 on his 78 rpm record. I did send it to Mr. J. Offer and Kat Laughing. Possibly they might know how to make it available to Mudcatters who are interested.

Ruthie Shelton sent me her cassette of the song and I put it on a CD and sent the cassette back to her.---- We will see if it is possible...

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: beeliner
Date: 29 Apr 10 - 07:58 PM

I never knew until now that the songs existed, bur Bernie Shelton was killed just a couple of miles from my home in Peoria, and it was big news at the time, July of 1948.

I don't know if anyone was ever brought to trial for the murder.

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,donald myers in missouri
Date: 29 Apr 10 - 12:13 AM

while trying to research my family history I came across this posting. As I am a grandson of Sidney Shelton, and have been told bits and pieces of stories about my ancestors. Sidney was born in Ill. in 1894 a son of John and Lilly Mae Shelton. He is buried in Eastwood cemetery, near Winona, Mo. along with several other Sheltons. I would like to hear from anyone willing to share their knowledge of the Shelton family.I can be contacted at [e-mail] Thank's to all!

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,brandon flemming
Date: 16 Mar 10 - 10:06 AM

hey ruthie. im in relation to the shelton gang. im tring to find the connection. my grandfathers name is leeroy shelton and my father had his last name changed to flemming at young age. were in illinois and do you happen to know all of the shelton brothers names?

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Jon Musgrave
Date: 03 Feb 10 - 11:06 PM

Josh, Bridget and Cindy, I would like to correspond with you. I'm working on some Bloody Williamson era projects.

Jon Musgrave
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Oct 09 - 10:59 AM

Hi Josh, I am Ruthie Shelton. My dad is Carl (Little Carl) Shelton.
Please e-mail me at [e-mail]. I'd like to ask you some questions.
    Thanks, Ruthie

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Josh shelton
Date: 24 Oct 09 - 03:36 AM

hi mt name is josh shelton i am a direct disentdant of the shelton brothers gang my grat grandfater was part of the shelton gang and they ran al capone out of illinois!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Bridget
Date: 23 Oct 09 - 06:50 PM

I just did a google search and ran across this page. My grandmother recently passed away. While sorting her personal belongings, we ran across a hand-written paper with the words to this song. Grandma grew up in southern Illinois and my mother remembers Grandma and Grandpa talking about the Shelton family - they actually knew them. Here are the words as Grandma had written: Near a little country schoolhouse, in a county know as Wayne, it was down on Pond Creek Bottoms, one day a man was slain. He was riding on the highway to see about some grain, when they shot him down from ambush, Carl Shelton was his name. How little did he know the morn he started out, these hoodlums would be waiting there, along this murder route. He had no one to warn him, and he feared no earthly harm, as he drop his jeep that morning to work down on the farm. At the county seat of Fairfield, they could not find a bill, but we all know it's not right, our fellow man to kill. They even shot him when he fell, and left him there to die. Some day this mystery will be solved, in a courthouse in the sky. He had four loyal brothers, two sisters and a wife, to mourn his sad departure, the day they took his life. Maple Hill they laid him, so peacefully there to rest, but his presence it still lingers, with the ones that knew him best. He left his dear old mother, in sorrow there alone, living down near Marion, in her little country home. May the angels hover over her, for she hasn't long to stay, and I hope she meets her darling, in a better world someday.

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 09 Oct 09 - 03:48 PM

60

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Oct 09 - 07:44 PM

Thanks, Art!

Subject: LYR ADD: ALONE AWAY OUT THERE sung by Fred Henson
From: Art Thieme
Date: 08 Oct 09 - 06:20 PM

Here, folks, are the words to the song as sung by Fred Henson   on the flip side of the "Death Of Carl Shelton" 78-rpm record. It is a good song; one I might've done tied in tandem with a good tall tale and/or another appropriate song. --- Art

ALONE AWAY OUT THERE -- 1948

Way out on an old sheep ranch while herding sheep one day,
Old Shep and I were all alone a-rounding up the strays,
We met a man upon a horse; he said, "Sir, what's your name?"
"I've come out west all for my health, and I want to buy your claim."

"The price", he said,"all for your spread?"-I said, "I hardly know."
He said, "I'll give you 20 grand."---And he counted out the dough,
So we rode back to the adobe shack I used to call my own,
He paid me off, I signed the deed, and started on to roam.

CHORUS)
Alone away out there,
Where skies are always fair,
Old Old Shep and I, we loved our home,
Alone and way out there.

I landed in a western town where all was on a boom,
I went into a gambling den they called the Silver Moon,
I placed my bets upon the dice---the house man, he was tall,
The money that Shep and I had earned--- soon I lost it all.

I chanced to meet upon the street a girl so young and fair,
She said, "Young man, come along with me--I'll drive away all care."
So I played around about a week with a dame I thought was true,
But when she found that I was broke and bid our love adieu.

Alone away out there...

So I went back to the adobe shack not knowing what to do,
Deciding that I'd find Old Shep and start my life anew,
I looked around for my old dog, but nowhere could I see,
The wagging tail and smiling eyes that meant so much to me.

The man came out that bought the place, said "Listen while I tell,
About how he met his death down by the sheep corral,
He laid around and wouldn't eat---could hardly get his breath,
He howled all night like he was lost--and grieved himself to death."

Alone away out there--
The skies are always fair,
Old Shep and I -- we loved our home--
Alone--and way out there.

Click to play

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,cindy coleman
Date: 07 Oct 09 - 05:37 PM

thanks, ruthie. i thought you would enjoy it. no pictures, but oh well---pretty descriptive---and gives you a lot of family history, places, thumb nail sketches of your ancestors, etc. i read the stuff in life magazine and although dad wrote for life during those days, i don't think he wrote that article because there were popular words (at the time) in it that he never would have used. i suspect that his article originally appeared in the saturday evening post no earlier than a year before the life article, and the life piece was a follow up by another writer as an update to the post article. cindy

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Ruthie Shelton
Date: 07 Oct 09 - 10:12 AM

Cindy,
    Your dad's book came yesterday. Wow! He's a great writer!
    Ruthie

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Ruthie Shelton
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 11:47 AM

Cindy,
   I've ordered your dad's book online. I can't wait to get it!
Thanks, Ruthie

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST,Ruthie Shelton
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 10:33 AM

BK,
   Thank you so much for the link to the Life magazine article about my family.This is the kind of information and pictures I've been looking for.
    Ruthie

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: BK Lick
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 03:41 AM

The Jun 19, 1950 isue of LIFE has an article titled "Gunfire Lays Low One More Shelton"
with many photos, of course, including one of the recording -- and quotes these lines:

He left his dear old mother in sorrow there alone,
Living down near Merriam in her little country home.
May the angels hover over her for she hasn't long to stay,
And I hope she meets her darling in a better world some day.

as well as the third and fourth lines of the fourth stanza
and states "© 1948 by Earl Shelton and Fred Henson."

—BK

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: BK Lick
Date: 01 Oct 09 - 01:57 AM

So Art says

"Folks, my recording of the song 'The Hanging Of Charlie Birger' is available to be heard here at Mudcat
  along with all the songs I considered my favorites off of those first two LP albums I had out in the 1970s.
  Bruce Kallick made it possible to hear the songs here -- but I can't, for the life o' me, remember where they are located."

Well, clicky here now.

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Sep 09 - 10:28 AM

Cindy,
   My grandfather was Dalta. I believe he died before I was born.
Thanks, Ruthie

Subject: RE: song search: 'The Shelton Bros.Gang'--S. IL
From: Art Thieme
Date: 26 Sep 09 - 11:35 PM

...and from Alfred Knopf (publisher) Paul Angle's fine book---Bloody Williamson--covers so much -- and very well;--the family feuds and the Herrin, Illinois massacre. That was some of the worst labor violence I have ever read about. There was a tradition of violence, going way way back, that the Sheltons and the Birger gangs were only one chapter of in the big picture.

Cindy, I'm sure it would be of interest. We will see.

Art