All rights reserved.
| John Payne aka The One Arm Bandit |
On June 12, 1973, thinking the electricity had been
shut off, John climbed up a telephone pole to cut some
wires. Problem was, he was dead wrong about the
status of the wires. 7,200 volts of electricity ran
through his entire body for an unbearable 10 seconds.
John remembers the electrocution clearly. He tried to
release his grip, but could not.
It burnt the fingers of his right hand and he fell 25 feet
to his death.
After lying dead on the ground for approximately five
minutes, he awoke with his work partner pounding on
his chest and giving him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
He was brought back to life. But was in bad shape.
The electricity exited his body through his abdomen,
leaving his intestines protruding. The voltage had
burnt through his left leg, as well, exposing his
thighbone from his knee several inches up. His flaming
clothes also had to be doused upon reaching the
ground, and he couldn't focus his eyes. He thought he
was blind.
shut off, John climbed up a telephone pole to cut some
wires. Problem was, he was dead wrong about the
status of the wires. 7,200 volts of electricity ran
through his entire body for an unbearable 10 seconds.
John remembers the electrocution clearly. He tried to
release his grip, but could not.
It burnt the fingers of his right hand and he fell 25 feet
to his death.
After lying dead on the ground for approximately five
minutes, he awoke with his work partner pounding on
his chest and giving him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
He was brought back to life. But was in bad shape.
The electricity exited his body through his abdomen,
leaving his intestines protruding. The voltage had
burnt through his left leg, as well, exposing his
thighbone from his knee several inches up. His flaming
clothes also had to be doused upon reaching the
ground, and he couldn't focus his eyes. He thought he
was blind.
| John S. Payne, the notorious One Arm Bandit, was born to a rancher in the oil rich town of Shidler, Oklahoma on April 19, 1953. Ranch life with four brothers taught John to “Get out of the way or get run over" and "Get tough or Die". |
| His occupations have included: Rancher, Saloon Owner, Gambler, Wild Cattle catcher, and Professional Rodeo Entertainer! |
| In 1975 John took a liking to Judy Crabtree and they married. John and Judy are responsible for what is now the most sought after gang in the rodeo world today, The One Arm Bandit Gang. |
What is it like to receive a shock of 7,200 volts? “Super hot.” “It felt like my blood was boiling, and that my brain was
going to explode. It felt like a monster was savagely attacking my body.”
The doctors wanted to cut off John’s left leg but he told them; “I can’t ride a horse with no leg, and if I can’t ride a
horse I don’t want to live.” The doctors did, however, cut off his right arm because it had been cooked.
Despite the massive electrocution he survived, what hurt most afterwards was his chest, which had been worked over
by his rescuer during CPR.
After 5 weeks in the Tulsa burn center, the doctor reported, “No apparent brain damage, but he will be short
handed.” So John checked himself out and went home to start breaking a horse he had bought while in the hospital.
going to explode. It felt like a monster was savagely attacking my body.”
The doctors wanted to cut off John’s left leg but he told them; “I can’t ride a horse with no leg, and if I can’t ride a
horse I don’t want to live.” The doctors did, however, cut off his right arm because it had been cooked.
Despite the massive electrocution he survived, what hurt most afterwards was his chest, which had been worked over
by his rescuer during CPR.
After 5 weeks in the Tulsa burn center, the doctor reported, “No apparent brain damage, but he will be short
handed.” So John checked himself out and went home to start breaking a horse he had bought while in the hospital.
| John has headlined the most wanted list since 1988. |
| Thanks to family and friends he has been 9-Time Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA) “Specialty Act of the Year”. |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
