60 years later, gang leader's slaying still unsolved

Mr. Dixon, this is in response to your comment about 'squirrel hunting' and I want to say this: The Shelton 'clan' were business oriented. While Birger and, obviously, Blackie Harris who was a hit man, seemed to kill for pleasure, there's no evidence the Sheltons kiled or tormented for pleasure. They were not psychopathic in their approach to life and therefore I take umbrage to any attempt to paint them as sinister, intentionally abusive or criminally insane -- as a person would be that tortures for pleasure. So in that I have made that plain, let me further state that they compiled evidence against politicians and thus caused intense aggravation to *some* of the politicians of their day. So much so that there were contracts taken out of their lives by those who were not known criminals. Carl Shelton paid hospital bills for people that could not pay their own. His kindnesses were well known and these are among the reasons people cared that he was killed.

While I am not condoning all actions of anyone's life, we do not need to 'create history' but study it in detail. Thank you for the opportunity to clarifty myself.

Harold wrote:

<quoted text>Ruthie, the word ALWAYS stands out in that sentence because it is capitalized. You said your dad, Little Carl, told you that. He was emphatic about the fact that he ALWAYS went to Pond Creek with Carl. So, he also would have told you WHY he did not go that day. That is my question. WHY didn't Little Carl go that day.

Great question. Why didn't Little Carl go that day? Should be easy to answer.

Lil Carl took care of his mother and Dad that was his main job..........LiL Earl was the main body Gaurd alone with Ray Walker and others although Lil Carl would help if needed,.........Thats what I was told Long ago. everyone of the sheltons enamies Knew Carl shelton was the Brains and main man..you heard the ole saying about cutting a snakes head off haven't you????. and anna?.... you were right about Carl doing some good deeds, placing the good deeds and the not so good deeds on a scale they were outta balance.

Ruthie I know a cousin. he is a good man

Anna's post on Jan 22, 2012 had some sensible thoughts. Such as, the plan was to allow the killing of Carl Shelton. The Shelton Gang leaders had survived a long time by being careful and trusting only a few. Having bodyguards that carried guns and would use them. Some realistic assertions.

Anna, the squirrel hunting post was made on Feb 8, 2012 by Mr. Big Phil, not Mr. Dixon.

The squirrel hunting post was not made by Mr. Dixon

Winston Beckett wrote:

<quoted text>I assume you are implicating Uncle Frank in the murder of Carl. I assume you are suggesting oil wells were the motive.

When the dust cleared, who had the oil wells? Does anyone know?

Will Dixon wrote:

Hal Bradshaw was elected Sheriff of Wayne County in 1946-1950. Big Phil,,,or Allen,Have either of you heard the name Clacy Robbins being one of Bradshaw's Deputy's ???

Clacy Robbins went with Bradshaw to Oklahoma to retrieve Charley Harris. I don't know if he was a full time deputy or deputized for the trip.

Rodney wrote:

Little Carl was not with Carl the day he was shot.

Is that an opinion or a fact?

Augie wrote:

<quoted text>When the dust cleared, who had the oil wells? Does anyone know?

The answer to this could tell us a lot.

Raymond Barker wrote:

<quoted text>Great question. Why didn't Little Carl go that day? Should be easy to answer.

Ruthie, this question begs for your reply.

Anna wrote:

Abused? Wow. You sure have a different take on this than the people I've interviewed that KNEW Carl Shelton. He was actually kind to people. He was respected -- That's why 3,000 attended his funeral. The politicians were ticked at him -- Check out Adlai.
Why would you want to paint him as a monster? He wasn't like that -- write me off list if you want to do something besides imagine things.

Why was Adlai ticked at Carl?

Chester wrote:

i remembr one time bout 1945 when me and some friends were walkin down town fairfield and we met some men we didnt know. one of the men askd us if we wanted a silver dollar and when we said yeal he gave us one each. i found out a little later that day it was carl shelton. i was 9 yrs old when that hapened but still rember it.

What do you think about this, Anna? You're right, Carl was a good person. Sometimes.

Did Carl have a lot of money when he died? I have read that he owned 4000 acres of land and some oil wells, but what about actual cash?

Will Dixon wrote:

And to set the record straight, had Carl Shelton came back to the station that night,someone would of died. My dad always carried and would not hesitate to use.I've personally witnessed it.

You say you have witnessed your dad shooting a fellow human being. Did that person live or die?

Will Dixon, do you have any relatives in or around Dixon, Illinois. I live here in Dixon, IL and there are several people named Dixon. Their family is very prominent in politics. You said Uncle Frank was also prominent in politics.

Will, there are some politically prominent Dixon's around Belleville IL. Big Phil where you born and raised in the pond creek area?

Pete Runnels wrote:

<quoted text>Why was Adlai ticked at Carl?

Can anybody elaborate on this comment?

The killing of Carl shelton, has open up the hopeing that people that hold the answers of all your questions. i was told there is still a man alive that was at the bridge....... now i diddnt say he shot Carl , i am just saying..........there is no statue of limitations for Murder. if someone blew the whistel they may not last long.......... does this statment sound like it may make sense????