John Payne
- John Payne
- One Arm Bandit in action
One Arm Bandit
Background
John S. Payne, the notorious One Arm Bandit, grew up in Shidler, Oklahoma and learned very early that he was not much of an electrician. In 1973, John climbed an electric pole to cut some wires thinking that the power had been cut-off. Problem was, he was dead wrong about the status of the wires and 7,200 volts of electricity ran through his entire body for an unbearable 10 seconds. After lying dead on the ground for approximately five minutes, he came to with his sidekick pounding on his chest and giving him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. The doctors wanted to cut off John’s left leg but he told them; “I can’t ride a horse with one leg, and if I can’t ride a horse I don’t want to live.” The doctors did, however, cut off his right arm below his shoulder. Despite the massive electrocution, he survived.
Following a 5-week stay in a burn unit, John checked himself out and went home to start breaking a horse he had bought while in the hospital, further demonstrating his commitment to the animal.
In 1975, John married Judy Crabtree and together they are responsible for one of the most sought after gangs in the rodeo world today-The One Arm Bandit Gang. With the crack of his bullwhip and help from his trained dogs, Payne herds wild animals, including buffalo and longhorns, over a narrow plank to the top of his trailer for an unforgettable performance. The One Arm Bandit & Co. has won the prestigious title of PRCA “Specialty Act of the Year” an unprecedented 12 times. John believes anything can be accomplished through sheer nerve, determination, and the drive to excel in one's field.