Hero grandma helps end killer’s spree

In case you didn’t know, there is a museum here in Poplar Bluff. It has tales of us, our family and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.
In 1961, Douglas Thompson escaped from jail in California and went on multi-state robbery and murder spree. The 18-day crime wave ended in a grandmother’s parlor in Poplar Bluff.
There had already been several shootouts in Missouri — two dead and four wounded, mostly policemen. Thompson’s other two accomplices had already been captured before he arrived in Poplar Bluff.
Thompson hitched a ride with Raymond Glover asking to be taken to Poplar Bluff. Local state trooper Glen Davis was searching for the fugitive and pulled over the suspicious vehicle. The traffic stop ended up in a gunfight where Glover was killed and Trooper Davis was wounded. Thompson stole the police car and drove away.
Thompson pulled off the road north of Poplar Bluff at Carl and Eva Clanahan’s farm. He pulled into the garage and shut the door, then entered the house without knocking.
Sixty-three-year-old Mrs. Clanahan was on the phone with her daughter-in-law. Just then, her other daughter-in-law picked up on the party line.
Both women heard Mrs. Clanahan say “I have to go, someone is hurt.” The women called back and Mrs. Clanahan alerted them in code by saying “Send more groceries.” The women figured it out and called the police who quickly surrounded the house, followed by the entire Clanahan clan.
Thompson was armed and swore he was not going to be taken alive. Mrs. Clanahan began talking to Thompson and calming him down enough to where he finally surrendered without a fight.
He also gave her over $1,000 in cash from his previous robberies. Her actions avoided another gunfight, saving the lives of herself, Thompson and many police officers.
You can’t say no to Grandma!
Unfortunately, as soon as Trooper Glen Davis recovered, he went out and got himself shot again six months later in Broseley holding the “Thin Blue Line.” This time he retired after recovering.
This was the largest manhunt in Missouri history at the time and the story was written by John Stanard in the DAR, “True Detective” and “Official Detective” magazines. These publications are on display in the Police and Firefighter exhibit located in the Poplar Bluff Museum.
The Museum is open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main Street in Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!
Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.