Irene Schroeder

Born in 1909 in Benwood, West Virginia, Irene married Homer Schroeder at the age of 15. They had a son, Donnie, a year later.

Irene left Homer and became a waitress. She then joined a gang and was involved in at least 11 murders. Known as the “Gun Girl” she and her gang eventually ran into trouble, coming to a bloody two-hour standoff with the police. Half naked and with her clothes
in tatters, Irene tried to encourage the men in her gang to fight by promising those who survived the shoot-out a “wild night”. Tearing away her remaining clothes she stood up proudly and yelled: “if you survive this, I’ll sleep with you tonight”.

Irene Schroder was executed by electrocution on the 23rd February 1923 at the age of 22, having been convicted of fatally shooting a state highway patrol officer.