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Vol 8, No 34

February 3, 1959

Tuesday Evening

Buddy Holly, Big Bopper die in Plane Crash

Obituaries
The Big Bopper dies in Iowa plane crash
OMAHA NE  (1959)   On this date in 1959, JP Richardson, better known as The Big Bopper, dies in a plane crash near Mason City Iowa. Also killed were Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the pilot. Richardson, a disc jockey from Beaumont, is best known for his smash hit "Chantilly Lace." Richards also wrote "Running Bear" which was an international hit recorded by Johnny Preston.
Ritchie Valens dead in Iowa Plane Crash
OMAHA NE  (1959)   On this date in 1959, Ritchie Valens died in the plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly. Valens, born Richard Steve Valenzuela, is best remembered for his smash hits "Oh Donna" and "La Bamba" as well as other hits in 1958-59. Valens was just 17.

Born This Date
Actress Morgan Fairchild born in Dallas
DALLAS   (1950)    On this date in 1950, Patsy Ann McClenny was born in Dallas. Known by her stage name, Morgan Fairchild, she had small parts in several television shows, until she hit it big on "Flamingo Road". She also starred in "Paper Dolls" and "Falcon Crest".   

Buddy Holly dies
DES MOINES IA (1959)  On this date in 1959, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper are all killed in a tragic plane crash near Mason City Iowa on their "Winter Dance Party" tour.
  Holly was promoting his latest hit "It Doesn't Matter Anymore". His other hits included "Peggy Sue", "Rave On", "Everyday" and "True Love Ways". The Big Bopper had a top ten hit with "Chantilly Lace". Ritchie Valens had just hit with "La Bamba" and earlier with "Donna". In 1971, Don McLean would refer to this day as "The Day the Music Died" in his No 1 hit "American Pie". Buddy Holly, from Lubbock, was only 22. He leaves a wife and young child.

Crime Desk
Belle Starr Shot in back by Unknown Gunman
COCKTAW NATION  (1889)    On this date in 1889, notorious outlaw Belle Starr was shot in the back by a shotgun blast from unknown assassin near the Canadian River on the Choctaw Nation (in present Oklahoma). Belle Starr had numerous ties to the outlaws of the time, including Jesse James and the Younger brothers.
   Born Myra Maybelle Shirley in 1848, Belle had been married several times, including to outlaw Tom Starr.
   Belle and her husband sold stolen horses from her Dallas livery when she was arrested. After a brief time in jail for horse thieving, Belle Starr became known as the "Bandit Queen". It is doubtful that Belle herself ever murdered or robbed anyone, but her assistance to her crimal friends, was her undoing, and left her with many enemies.
   Belle Starr died just two day short of her 41st birthday.   

Clemency attempt Fails. Prisoners returned to jail
HUNTSVILLE  (1933)   On this date in 1933, Jack Peddy and LP Woods, are returned to prison at Huntsville after forging papers granting them clemency by the Governor of Texas. They had been on the lamb since November (1932).