Arthur R. “Doc” Barker – Killed at Alcatraz
The name Arthur R. "Doc" Barker resonates with an era of daring heists, ruthless criminals, and the desperate measures taken during the Great Depression. He was a key figure in the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang, a criminal enterprise that terrorized the American Midwest for over a decade. His life, marked by violence and defiance, ultimately met a dramatic end within the formidable walls of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.
Arthur, nicknamed "Doc," was born on June 4, 1899, in Aurora, Missouri. He was the third son of George E. and Arizona Donnie Clark Barker, known infamously as "Ma" Barker. The Barker family would become synonymous with organized crime, their name forever etched in the annals of American criminal history. Growing up in relative poverty, Arthur, along with his brothers, was drawn into a life of petty theft and delinquency from a young age. These early brushes with the law were a precursor to the more serious crimes that would later define his life and his association with the Arthur R. “Doc” Barker name.
By the 1920s, Arthur had fully embraced a life of crime, partnering with his brother Fred and Alvin "Creepy" Karpis to form the core of what would become the notorious Barker-Karpis Gang. Their early exploits involved theft and robbery, escalating into more violent offenses. One of Arthur Barker’s first major run-ins with the law occurred on July 18, 1918, when he was arrested for stealing a car in Joplin, Missouri. This led to a prison sentence, offering a glimpse into the consequences of his chosen path. However, incarceration proved to be a mere setback, as he escaped on February 19, 1920, and immediately resumed his criminal activities, which now included armed robberies and, tragically, murder.
The gang’s criminal activities rapidly escalated. On August 25, 1921, Barker and three accomplices committed a robbery at a hospital construction site in Tulsa, Oklahoma. During the heist, they were confronted by a night watchman named Thomas Sherill. A deadly shootout ensued, resulting in Sherill’s death. Arthur Barker was apprehended, convicted of murder, and sentenced to life imprisonment at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. The weight of his crimes had finally caught up with him, seemingly ending his reign of terror.
However, fate, or perhaps Barker’s inherent cunning, intervened. After serving ten years, he was granted parole in September 1932, a decision that would have devastating consequences for the nation. Upon his release, he immediately rejoined the Barker-Karpis Gang, injecting his experience and ruthlessness back into their operations. The gang, emboldened by his return, embarked on a new wave of audacious and violent crimes.
On December 16, 1932, the Barker-Karpis Gang executed a brazen robbery of the Third Northwestern Bank in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The heist turned deadly, resulting in the deaths of two police officers and a civilian. Arthur Barker played a direct role in the carnage, further solidifying his reputation as a cold-blooded killer. The gang’s ruthlessness was on full display, shocking the nation and intensifying the efforts to bring them to justice.
The following year, on August 30, 1933, the gang targeted the Stockyards National Bank of South St. Paul, Minnesota, robbing its payroll. During the robbery, Arthur Barker callously shot and killed a police officer who had already surrendered, a chilling act that underscored his disregard for human life and the law. These acts of violence defined the gangster Arthur R. “Doc” Barker.
The Barker-Karpis Gang’s activities extended beyond bank robberies. In June 1933, they kidnapped William Hamm, a wealthy St. Paul, Minnesota, businessman. After receiving a ransom of $100,000, they released him. Emboldened by their success, they kidnapped Edward Bremer, another wealthy St. Paul resident, in January 1934. This time, they demanded and received a staggering $200,000 ransom, releasing Bremer in February. These high-profile kidnappings brought the gang national attention, making them Public Enemies Number One and placing them squarely in the crosshairs of law enforcement, particularly the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), then under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover.
The FBI launched an all-out manhunt for the Barker-Karpis Gang, determined to bring them to justice. The hunt culminated in a dramatic shootout on January 16, 1935, in Oklawaha, Florida, where Fred and "Ma" Barker were killed by FBI agents. The deaths of Fred and Ma Barker marked a significant blow to the gang, disrupting its operations and demoralizing its members. This event signaled the beginning of the end for the Barker-Karpis Gang, and the legendary Arthur R. “Doc” Barker.
A year later, Arthur Barker and Alvin Karpis were apprehended, effectively dismantling the once-powerful gang. Barker was sentenced to life in prison for his numerous crimes and was initially incarcerated at Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary in Kansas. However, his reputation as a dangerous and escape-prone inmate led to his transfer to the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco, California, a maximum-security prison designed to hold the most incorrigible criminals in the nation.
Alcatraz, perched on a rocky island in the frigid waters of San Francisco Bay, was considered escape-proof. Its imposing walls, strategically placed guard towers, and strict security protocols were designed to break the spirits of even the most hardened criminals. Yet, the lure of freedom proved too strong for Arthur Barker to resist.
On the night of January 13, 1939, Arthur Barker, along with fellow inmates Henri Young and Rufus McCain, attempted to escape from Alcatraz. The details of their escape attempt remain shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that they managed to overpower a guard and gain access to a utility corridor. Their plan, however, was ultimately foiled. As they attempted to scale the prison walls, they were spotted by guards who opened fire. Arthur Barker was struck by gunfire and killed. Young and McCain were recaptured and subsequently sent to solitary confinement, where they faced severe punishment for their failed escape attempt. The infamous Arthur R. “Doc” Barker was no more.
The death of Arthur R. "Doc" Barker at Alcatraz marked the end of a notorious criminal career. His life, characterized by violence, robbery, and murder, served as a stark reminder of the dark underbelly of the American Dream during the Depression era. His association with the Barker-Karpis Gang cemented his place in criminal history, while his dramatic demise at Alcatraz added another chapter to the prison’s already legendary lore. He became a cautionary tale of a life consumed by crime, forever remembered as one of the most dangerous criminals to ever set foot on "The Rock." The story of Arthur R. “Doc” Barker is a chilling reminder of the era of gangsters and the price they paid for their life of crime. The legend of Arthur R. “Doc” Barker continues to fascinate those interested in American criminal history.