William Sanford Bonnell: Dyer Act

William Sanford Bonnell was born 19 July 1876 in Cedar Vale, KS to David Lusk Bonnell (1843-1888) & Barbara Ellen Slater (1852-1897).

Inmate: #26068 Leavenworth Federal Prison
Rec: 2 Oct 1926
Crime: Dyer Act
Term: 1 Yr & 1 Day
Paroled from Prison: 2 Feb 1927


The Dyer Act is a U.S. federal legislation aimed to supplement states' efforts to combat automobile theft. It was enacted in 1919. This Act made the interstate transportation of stolen vehicles a federal crime. The Dyer Act is popularly called the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act.

William was known as Billy back home, he was a roper and darn tootin good one, he won many awards. Here are few nespaper clipping I found.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48919671/billy-bonnell/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48919414/billy-bonnell/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48918477/billy-bonnell/

In 1915 he was arrested for Burglary, seems to be mistaken identity, I found 2 newspaper clippings on it. 

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48918260/billy-bonnell/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48919527/billy-bonnell/

Two more clippings I found on him and his family.

Billy married Mary Nicholas (1881-1967) In 1900 in Kansas.

They had the following children:

Everett Emmet Bonnell
1901–1981
Sylvia H Bonnell
1903–1988
David Bonnell
1906–1906
Lillian Lucille Bonnell

1919–1983

Here are a few more of his Leavenworth Prison records:

Included in these records were some court records:

Now why wasn't there any newspaper articles about him stealing a car? Did the newspaper person not write about it because Billy was well known and liked in the area? What happened? 1926 was a time everything was in the local paper, down to who visited the bar and got into a brawl.