Matthew Kimes – Leader of the Kimes Gang

The annals of American outlaw history are filled with figures who carved their names into the landscape through daring heists, violent encounters, and daring escapes. Among these figures stands Matthew Kimes, the leader of the notorious Kimes Gang, whose exploits terrorized the American Southwest during the roaring 1920s. This is the story of Matthew Kimes, a man who transitioned from petty thief to a notorious bank robber and murderer, leaving a trail of violence and mayhem in his wake.

Born into a life of relative obscurity, Matthew Kimes, along with his brother George, embarked on a path of criminality from a young age. Their early ventures were minor offenses, typical of juvenile delinquency. However, the allure of greater rewards and a life outside the constraints of the law soon led them down a more dangerous path – bank robbery. The Kimes brothers quickly escalated their criminal activities, targeting financial institutions across a wide swathe of the American Southwest.

The Kimes Gang’s reign of terror extended across multiple states, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, Arizona, Kansas, and New Mexico. Their modus operandi involved meticulous planning, a ruthless execution, and a willingness to use violence to achieve their goals. Banks in small towns and rural communities were particularly vulnerable to their attacks. The Kimes Gang became known for their daring raids, instilling fear in the hearts of residents and law enforcement officials alike.

The year 1926 marked a turning point in the Kimes Gang’s criminal career. On August 27th, in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, Deputy Sheriff Perry Chuculate and another officer initiated a traffic stop on a speeding vehicle. Unbeknownst to them, the vehicle was stolen and occupied by Matthew Kimes and his brother George. As the officers approached the car, the Kimes brothers unleashed a hail of gunfire. Deputy Chuculate was fatally wounded in the ambush.

The death of Deputy Chuculate sent shockwaves through the law enforcement community and the public at large. The Kimes brothers were apprehended and subsequently convicted of manslaughter in connection with the deputy’s death. They were sentenced to 25 years in prison. However, the incarceration of Matthew Kimes proved to be only a temporary setback for the Kimes Gang.

While George Kimes was transferred to the state penitentiary in McAlester, Oklahoma, Matthew Kimes remained in a local jail. In a daring act of defiance, members of the Kimes Gang orchestrated a brazen jailbreak. Armed to the teeth, they stormed the jail and freed their leader, Matthew Kimes. His escape from custody further cemented his reputation as a cunning and elusive outlaw.

Following his escape, Matthew Kimes wasted no time in resuming his criminal activities. He joined forces with the notorious Cotton Top Walker Gang, a band of ruthless criminals known for their violent tendencies. Together, they embarked on a spree of robberies and murders that terrorized communities across Texas and Oklahoma.

The Cotton Top Walker Gang, with Matthew Kimes as a key member, was responsible for the deaths of several law enforcement officers. Patrolman Coke Buchanan of the Borger, Texas Police Department, fell victim to their violence on March 19, 1927. Just weeks later, on April 1, 1927, Deputy D. P. Kenyon and Deputy Almer Terry, both of the Hutchinson County, Texas Sheriff’s Department, were killed in the line of duty. The gang’s reign of terror culminated on May 18, 1927, with the murder of Chief W. J. McAnnally of the Beggs, Oklahoma Police Department.

The relentless pursuit of the Kimes Gang and the Cotton Top Walker Gang intensified. Law enforcement agencies across multiple states coordinated their efforts to bring these ruthless criminals to justice. The pressure mounted as the body count rose, and public outrage grew.

The long arm of the law finally caught up with Matthew Kimes on June 23, 1927, in Flagstaff, Arizona. After a period on the run, he was apprehended and brought back to Oklahoma to face justice for his crimes. He was convicted of complicity in the death of Chief W.J. McAnally and initially sentenced to death in the electric chair.

However, in a surprising turn of events, Matthew Kimes‘ death sentence was commuted to life in prison. The reasons for this commutation remain unclear, but it is speculated that factors such as his cooperation with authorities or a plea for leniency may have played a role. Despite the commutation, Matthew Kimes remained behind bars for many years.

In 1945, Matthew Kimes was denied parole, seemingly confirming his fate as a lifer within the prison system. However, in an unexpected move, he was granted a brief leave of absence from prison. The circumstances surrounding this leave of absence remain shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that it may have been related to a family emergency or a medical issue.

Seizing the opportunity, Matthew Kimes reverted to his old ways. During his brief period of freedom, he robbed a bank in Morton, Texas, demonstrating that his criminal instincts remained as strong as ever. This act of defiance sealed his fate and ensured that he would spend the remainder of his life behind bars.

The life of Matthew Kimes, the leader of the Kimes Gang, came to an abrupt end on December 1, 1945. While on transfer or potentially during another period of temporary leave, he was struck by a truck in Little Rock, Arkansas, and killed. His death marked the end of an era for the Kimes Gang and brought closure to a long and violent chapter in American outlaw history.

The legacy of Matthew Kimes and the Kimes Gang is a complex and controversial one. To some, they are remembered as ruthless criminals who terrorized communities and showed no regard for the law. To others, they are romanticized as folk heroes who stood up against the establishment and lived life on their own terms. Regardless of one’s perspective, the story of Matthew Kimes serves as a reminder of the dark side of the American West and the enduring allure of the outlaw myth. His name is forever etched in the history of American crime, a testament to a life lived outside the boundaries of law and order. The tale of Matthew Kimes and the Kimes Gang continues to fascinate and intrigue, ensuring that their story will be told for generations to come.