Oklahoma Times October 6,1967

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Hoodlums or Heros? By: Kammi Matsumoto

WINDRIXVILLE, Oklahoma­­ Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and Dallas Winston are true heros. The two teens ran into the burning church and saved five children from being so close to coming down with the burning church. Ponyboy was the first to run in as soon as he heard these kids were missing from their group. Then it was Johnny who ran in to help Ponyboy, and Dallas stayed outside to catch the children as Ponyboy and Johnny carefully dropped them to make quick escape of the church. Thankfully the children made it out safely thanks to these quick thinking heros that has helped them.

On October 1, 1967 Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and Dallas Winston saved five children from a burning church in Windrixville, Oklahoma. The heroes were once what you call hoodlums, but they have proved their name wrong after today. Curtis, Cade and Winston are part of a “gang” called the “Greasers”. “My older brother and I do our very best to do what we can for Ponyboy, but as a Greaser our whole group look out for one another as well” said Sodapop Curtis as we interviewed him for living as a Greaser his whole life. Ponyboy was their youngest member of the Greasers group.

Johnny Cade comes from a very hard life as a Greaser, “The parents often kick him out of the house” said Steve Randal one of the members of the group. Cade is usually quiet and hardly talks; ever. “Cade died a gallant death” said Ponyboy Curtis, “He died saving me and five other kids" as Curtis continues his interview. Dallas Winston added "Cade was the closest thing I got to family. Johnny is what kept us together all these years, and ­ and he's dead!'' Said Winston as he stormed out the building. Unfortunately, Cade died on October 1967 at the age of 16, he was very young when he died; and to be on the run as well, but we'll have to remember all the good things he had already done for everyone, and let him rest in peace.

Dallas Winston is a hoodlum, he served time in juvilian and in regular during his lifetime. Winston cared a whole lot for his friends especially for Cade. When Cade died Winston was in tears, he was so heart broken. "Have you ever felt like someone special died because of you or you tried to save them but couldn't, well that's how I felt what Johnnycake died he was like a brother to me" said Winston after he settled down and was safe to interview. Winston killed himself through a police's gun the night Cade did after he robbed a grocery store. Winston was very strong and always got what he wanted and what he wanted to die.

These people risked their lives for children they didn't even know. “Before Johnny died he told me that those kids had more to live for, more than me” said Ponyboy.