“Red” Dye was born in 1915. By the time he was 5 years old his parents divorced and abandoned him and his brothers. They were eventually placed into an orphanage near Pittsburgh where they would live for the next 5 years. An uncle was granted custody of the boys when “Red” was 10 but soon afterwards was killed in a railroad accident. The Dye brothers would return to the orphanage where they would remain until late in their teens. During their time in the orphanage they were permitted to return home to visit their mother one weekend a month. She had since remarried and her new husband wanted nothing to do with her boys. He would physically abuse them and lock them in the closet. He would later regret his actions when “Red” was grown.
In 1933 at the age of 18 “Red” was living on his own and working all he could during the depression. After living his entire life having to fight for everything he had, “Red” was ready for the tough times ahead. He had grown to almost 6 foot 4 inches tall by the time he was 18. Skinny yet strong as a bull he made the trip from Vanderbilt to Connellsville to visit his mother. He knocked on the door and his stepfather answered. Denying his entrance and demanding him to leave without seeing his mother, “Red” knocked the door down and then gave his stepfather the beating he deserved. He told him, “you’ll never keep me from seeing my mother again!” Red then met and married our grandmother Ruby Snyder. Our dad was born 14 months later.
“Red” was known for his tough ways and his no-nonsense manner. He was working construction when his foreman instructed him to put his own well-being in danger and when “Red” refused he fired him. Never being the type of man to consider circumstances, “Red” punched his boss in the face, “shattering his teeth and inflicting injury to his mouth.” Quote from a local newspaper. As tough as times were he was always able to find employment because of his strong work ethic. Brutally honest, he would tell it like it was and you could love him or hate him. There was no in between with “Red” Dye. As evidenced when he surrendered to the cops saying “I heard they were lookin’ for me.” Referring to the State Police and a County Detective. Later telling them he had been “out drinkin’ moonshine.”
He was the first one to stand up for what was right. A story told to me by an old man that knew “Red” witnessed the local police arresting an African-American man in the early 1940’s. They had him handcuffed and were dragging him along the street. “Red” intervened at that moment and told the cops, “If you’re gonna arrest him, arrest him like a man. Don’t treat him like a dog.”
By the 1940’s “Red” had filled out and was weighing in at 220 pounds. A big red headed Irishman, he stopped in a local establishment for a cold beer after a long day’s work. The bar was being operated by a different ethnicity and shortly after serving “Red” his beer, he found himself embroiled in another beer parlor brawl. According to newspaper reports of the incident, there were 25 patrons in the bar at the time. As the fight reached its full fury, it ended when one of the bartenders hit “Red” on the back of his head knocking him out and driving him into the floor. This was when the “Bull of the Woods” was born. Vanderbilt’s alleged “badboy” was in trouble again with local authorities and the local newspapers loved writing about him. I think it’s amazing that his side of the story has never been told. That is, until now.
In 1942 he was drafted into the Army. Proud to be an American and with a toughness few could match, “Red” was willing and able to fight for his country. He trained at Fort Belvoir and was very proud of the dual role of his Army engineers division in combat: “to block the enemy and to clear the way.” During his training at Fort Belvoir’s school he wrote home that he was doing great and loving the Army life. He said he doubted that F.D.R. was eating any better.
After the war “Red” returned home thinking everything would be fine. He wrote in a letter to Ruby the following: “The news says they are betting the war will be over by October 31st. Boy I sure hope so. Then it won’t be long and we can be together again and for good this time.” “All my love goes with this letter. Lots of kisses to you and the boys.” But at the young age of 33 Ruby died of complications from pneumonia. This left him with the sole responsibility of raising his sons. He was a skilled machinist and landed a job with a local factory. Not wanting to abandon his kids the way he was abandoned, “Red” reluctantly agreed to allow them to stay with their grandparents during the week so he could work and his boys would be taken care of.
Two years after Ruby died, “Red” met and began dating a woman he worked with. If he had one weakness it was that he took people at their word and was always searching for love. Something he was deprived of as a child.
One evening “Red” received a phone call from this woman. She insisted upon him coming to her house. Upon arriving “Red” was greeted by her new boyfriend and he was holding a .45 automatic in his right hand. Afraid of getting his ass kicked, the coward unloaded 6 shots into the “Bull of the Woods” dropping him to the floor with the 6th bullet. “BOTW”, our grandfather, died on the way to the hospital from a loss of blood. He was 36.
Unbelievably, the coward was freed during the trial. He pleaded self defense and before the trial, knowing that you do not have to testify against your spouse, he married the woman (the only witness) eliminating any evidence she may have been forced to offer. Speaking to the media after the coward was released, the woman said “I’m just glad this is over. Now me and the coward can live our lives together. I mean, what would you do if a man almost twice your size came after you?” “You’d do the same thing.” Lady, I’m here to tell you….No…I wouldn’t shoot an unarmed man 6 times!
Thank you for taking the time to read about BOTW. I have many more “Bull of the Woods” stories that I will publish as I have time. Help us honor this man. Wear our gear with pride, honor and toughness.
Bill and Tim Dye Owners Bull of the Woods Gear
Story Copyright © 2009 W.E.D & T.C.D.
In 1933 at the age of 18 “Red” was living on his own and working all he could during the depression. After living his entire life having to fight for everything he had, “Red” was ready for the tough times ahead. He had grown to almost 6 foot 4 inches tall by the time he was 18. Skinny yet strong as a bull he made the trip from Vanderbilt to Connellsville to visit his mother. He knocked on the door and his stepfather answered. Denying his entrance and demanding him to leave without seeing his mother, “Red” knocked the door down and then gave his stepfather the beating he deserved. He told him, “you’ll never keep me from seeing my mother again!” Red then met and married our grandmother Ruby Snyder. Our dad was born 14 months later.
“Red” was known for his tough ways and his no-nonsense manner. He was working construction when his foreman instructed him to put his own well-being in danger and when “Red” refused he fired him. Never being the type of man to consider circumstances, “Red” punched his boss in the face, “shattering his teeth and inflicting injury to his mouth.” Quote from a local newspaper. As tough as times were he was always able to find employment because of his strong work ethic. Brutally honest, he would tell it like it was and you could love him or hate him. There was no in between with “Red” Dye. As evidenced when he surrendered to the cops saying “I heard they were lookin’ for me.” Referring to the State Police and a County Detective. Later telling them he had been “out drinkin’ moonshine.”
He was the first one to stand up for what was right. A story told to me by an old man that knew “Red” witnessed the local police arresting an African-American man in the early 1940’s. They had him handcuffed and were dragging him along the street. “Red” intervened at that moment and told the cops, “If you’re gonna arrest him, arrest him like a man. Don’t treat him like a dog.”
By the 1940’s “Red” had filled out and was weighing in at 220 pounds. A big red headed Irishman, he stopped in a local establishment for a cold beer after a long day’s work. The bar was being operated by a different ethnicity and shortly after serving “Red” his beer, he found himself embroiled in another beer parlor brawl. According to newspaper reports of the incident, there were 25 patrons in the bar at the time. As the fight reached its full fury, it ended when one of the bartenders hit “Red” on the back of his head knocking him out and driving him into the floor. This was when the “Bull of the Woods” was born. Vanderbilt’s alleged “badboy” was in trouble again with local authorities and the local newspapers loved writing about him. I think it’s amazing that his side of the story has never been told. That is, until now.
In 1942 he was drafted into the Army. Proud to be an American and with a toughness few could match, “Red” was willing and able to fight for his country. He trained at Fort Belvoir and was very proud of the dual role of his Army engineers division in combat: “to block the enemy and to clear the way.” During his training at Fort Belvoir’s school he wrote home that he was doing great and loving the Army life. He said he doubted that F.D.R. was eating any better.
After the war “Red” returned home thinking everything would be fine. He wrote in a letter to Ruby the following: “The news says they are betting the war will be over by October 31st. Boy I sure hope so. Then it won’t be long and we can be together again and for good this time.” “All my love goes with this letter. Lots of kisses to you and the boys.” But at the young age of 33 Ruby died of complications from pneumonia. This left him with the sole responsibility of raising his sons. He was a skilled machinist and landed a job with a local factory. Not wanting to abandon his kids the way he was abandoned, “Red” reluctantly agreed to allow them to stay with their grandparents during the week so he could work and his boys would be taken care of.
Two years after Ruby died, “Red” met and began dating a woman he worked with. If he had one weakness it was that he took people at their word and was always searching for love. Something he was deprived of as a child.
One evening “Red” received a phone call from this woman. She insisted upon him coming to her house. Upon arriving “Red” was greeted by her new boyfriend and he was holding a .45 automatic in his right hand. Afraid of getting his ass kicked, the coward unloaded 6 shots into the “Bull of the Woods” dropping him to the floor with the 6th bullet. “BOTW”, our grandfather, died on the way to the hospital from a loss of blood. He was 36.
Unbelievably, the coward was freed during the trial. He pleaded self defense and before the trial, knowing that you do not have to testify against your spouse, he married the woman (the only witness) eliminating any evidence she may have been forced to offer. Speaking to the media after the coward was released, the woman said “I’m just glad this is over. Now me and the coward can live our lives together. I mean, what would you do if a man almost twice your size came after you?” “You’d do the same thing.” Lady, I’m here to tell you….No…I wouldn’t shoot an unarmed man 6 times!
Thank you for taking the time to read about BOTW. I have many more “Bull of the Woods” stories that I will publish as I have time. Help us honor this man. Wear our gear with pride, honor and toughness.
Bill and Tim Dye Owners Bull of the Woods Gear
Story Copyright © 2009 W.E.D & T.C.D.
BOTW Logo Copyright © 2008 T.C.D & W.E.D
BOTW Horns Logo Copyright © 2008 T.C.D & W.E.D
BOTW Biceps Logo Copyright © 2009 T.C.D & W.E.D
OUTLAW CAGE GEAR is a Registered Trademark of BULL OF THE WOODS 2009
BOTW Horns Logo Copyright © 2008 T.C.D & W.E.D
BOTW Biceps Logo Copyright © 2009 T.C.D & W.E.D
OUTLAW CAGE GEAR is a Registered Trademark of BULL OF THE WOODS 2009