Of course, Terrence Malick's first movie, "Badlands" with a very young Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, and the haunting title cut from Bruce Springsteen's early '80s album "Nebraska," are about Starkweather and his girlfriend. How particularly chilling to realize that another horrific Midwestern crime, the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kan. chronicled in Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood," occurred less than six months after Starkweather was executed.
Arnie, a riveting column, especially for those of us who were growing up in the late 1950s. Your personal experience with Charlie Starkweather must’ve almost haunted you after he went on the murder spree. Any of your other school pals have similar incidents of violence involving him? I remember being at a Shenandoah High School basketball game when Starkweather & Fugate were still at large and being sought. Late in the game, they announced on the PA that the couple was feared to be in southwest Iowa right then, and we were all advised to avoid any contact with strangers post-game. I specifically remember how quiet the gym instantly became. Years later, I was enthralled to hear stories from our older Des Moines Register colleague Nick Lamberto, who had covered Starkweather & Fugste. Do I recall correctly that Lamberto was the first newsman to the Wyoming jail where Starkweather was initially held? And did Nick get some brief interview with Starkweather there — or maybe it was just with the sheriff & deputies. Whatever, thanks for sharing your story. Great reading — unless you wind up making me dream about the case!
Thanks, Chuck. Yes, Lamberto was the first reporter on the scene in WY; I had forgotten that.
A gripping story well told! Thanks, Arnold!
Thank you, Richard.
Of course, Terrence Malick's first movie, "Badlands" with a very young Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, and the haunting title cut from Bruce Springsteen's early '80s album "Nebraska," are about Starkweather and his girlfriend. How particularly chilling to realize that another horrific Midwestern crime, the murder of the Clutter family in Holcomb, Kan. chronicled in Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood," occurred less than six months after Starkweather was executed.
Yup.
Arnie, a riveting column, especially for those of us who were growing up in the late 1950s. Your personal experience with Charlie Starkweather must’ve almost haunted you after he went on the murder spree. Any of your other school pals have similar incidents of violence involving him? I remember being at a Shenandoah High School basketball game when Starkweather & Fugate were still at large and being sought. Late in the game, they announced on the PA that the couple was feared to be in southwest Iowa right then, and we were all advised to avoid any contact with strangers post-game. I specifically remember how quiet the gym instantly became. Years later, I was enthralled to hear stories from our older Des Moines Register colleague Nick Lamberto, who had covered Starkweather & Fugste. Do I recall correctly that Lamberto was the first newsman to the Wyoming jail where Starkweather was initially held? And did Nick get some brief interview with Starkweather there — or maybe it was just with the sheriff & deputies. Whatever, thanks for sharing your story. Great reading — unless you wind up making me dream about the case!
I grew up near Sioux City, and remember the frightening news coverage of these murders! Thank you.
I liked your post, thanks for writing it. Since the killing spree was in 1958, it was 66 years ago not 65.
Good catch, thanks. The explanation is that I wrote the first draft of this in 2023.
I thought that might be the case. Either that or you are still writing 2023 on your checks!