Barker-Karpis Gang – Terrorizing the Midwest
The era of the Great Depression, a time of economic hardship and widespread desperation, also witnessed the rise of notorious criminal figures who carved their names into the annals of American history. Among these figures, the Barker-Karpis Gang stands out as one of the most enduring and feared. Operating from 1931 to 1935, this ruthless organization terrorized the Midwest with a brazen string of robberies, kidnappings, and murders, leaving a trail of fear and notoriety in their wake. Their story is a grim tapestry woven with threads of desperation, violence, and ultimately, downfall at the hands of the burgeoning Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The genesis of the Barker-Karpis Gang can be traced back to the stark confines of a Kansas prison, where Alvin "Creepy" Karpis and Fred Barker first crossed paths. Both men, hardened by lives of petty crime and early incarceration, found a kindred spirit in each other. Upon their release in 1931, they wasted no time in forging a partnership, embarking on a series of nighttime burglaries targeting jewelry stores and clothing shops. These initial forays into the criminal underworld were merely a prelude to the more audacious and violent crimes that would soon define their reign of terror.
The gang’s ranks swelled in 1932 with the release of Arthur "Doc" Barker, Fred’s brother, from prison. Arthur’s arrival marked a turning point, as the gang expanded its repertoire to include bank robbery, a far more lucrative and dangerous endeavor. Herman and Lloyd Barker, also brothers of Fred and Arthur, further solidified the family’s grip on the gang’s operations. Karpis, known for his meticulous planning, and the Barker brothers, with their penchant for violence, proved to be a formidable combination. They strategically recruited individuals with specific skills, such as getaway drivers and explosives experts, ensuring that each operation was executed with ruthless efficiency. By 1932, Karpis boasted of having robbed eleven banks, though the true number was likely higher, reflecting the gang’s relentless pursuit of wealth and power. Their strategy of rotating members made it difficult for law enforcement, particularly the fledgling FBI, to effectively track and apprehend them. The Barker-Karpis Gang was becoming a well-oiled machine of criminal enterprise.
However, the Barker-Karpis Gang’s ambition extended beyond simple robbery. In 1933, they escalated their crimes to include kidnapping, a move that would ultimately prove to be their undoing. Their first victim was William Hamm, heir to the Hamm Brewery fortune in Minnesota. After successfully collecting a $100,000 ransom, the gang released Hamm unharmed, emboldened by their apparent impunity. Buoyed by their success, they targeted Edward Bremer, a prominent bank president and son of Adolf Bremer, president of the Jacob Schmidt Brewing Company, in January 1934. This time, they demanded and received a staggering $200,000 ransom. However, Bremer’s significant political connections proved to be a critical mistake. The kidnapping sparked a massive manhunt, bringing the full force of the FBI down upon the Barker-Karpis Gang.
One of the most significant factors contributing to the gang’s downfall was the murder of one of their own, George "Shotgun" Ziegler. Ziegler, a key figure in the Bremer kidnapping, began to boast about his role in the crime, claiming to be the mastermind behind the operation. This reckless behavior infuriated his fellow gang members, who feared that his loose lips would attract unwanted attention from law enforcement. On March 22, 1934, Ziegler was ambushed as he left his favorite restaurant in Cicero, Illinois, and brutally murdered. His corpse was left in the street, and FBI agents discovered a treasure trove of information in his pockets, including names, aliases, addresses, and other crucial leads. This information proved invaluable in identifying and tracking down the main members of the gang, accelerating their demise.
The noose began to tighten around the Barker-Karpis Gang. On January 8, 1935, Arthur Barker was apprehended and sent to Alcatraz, the infamous island prison known for its impenetrable security. He met his end there in 1939 during an attempted escape. Just a week later, federal agents tracked down Ma Barker and Fred Barker to a secluded hideout in Lake Weir, Florida. On January 16th, a fierce gun battle erupted, resulting in the deaths of both Ma and Fred Barker. The image of their bullet-riddled bodies became an iconic symbol of the FBI’s relentless pursuit of justice and the end of the Barker-Karpis reign of terror.
Alvin Karpis, however, proved to be a more elusive target. He narrowly escaped capture in Atlantic City, New Jersey, with the help of fellow criminal Harry Campbell. Despite the intense pressure from law enforcement, Karpis continued his criminal activities, even managing to rob a train in Garrettsville, Ohio, making off with $27,000. His luck finally ran out, and he was eventually captured and sentenced to Alcatraz, where he served the longest sentence in the prison’s history – 25 years and one month. He was eventually paroled in 1969, wrote an autobiography, and relocated to Spain in 1973. He died there on August 26, 1979, bringing an end to the life of one of the most notorious criminals of the Depression era.
The story of the Barker-Karpis Gang serves as a stark reminder of a turbulent period in American history, a time when economic hardship and social unrest fueled a surge in criminal activity. Their audacious crimes and violent methods captured the public’s imagination, transforming them into figures of both fear and fascination. The gang’s downfall, however, also highlights the growing power and effectiveness of the FBI, which was rapidly evolving into a sophisticated law enforcement agency capable of taking down even the most formidable criminal organizations. The legacy of the Barker-Karpis Gang continues to resonate today, serving as a cautionary tale about the consequences of a life of crime and the enduring power of law and order.