Alvin Karpis And The Barker Gang In Minnesota

“The St. Paul of the gangster era springs vividly to life again . . . A captivating glimpse into a shadowy era in the city’s history.” —Community Reporter From their home base in Minnesota, the Karpis-Barker Gang cut a swath of crime and terror across the Midwest in the early 1930s. They kidnapped two important businessmen and held them for exorbitant ransoms. They stole payrolls and robbed banks as the bullets flew. Corrupt police and wily crime bosses helped Alvin Karpis and the Barker brothers Freddie and Doc every step of the way. Who were these men and women? What made them into killers and kidnappers? How did their reckless lifestyles lead to their downfall? From Ma Barker to Volney Davis to Edna Murray the Kissing Bandit, authors Deborah Frethem and Cynthia Schreiner Smith delve into the crimes, personalities and motivations of one of the most successful and infamous gangs in American history.

"Alvin Karpis was released from prison in December, 1968, on extradition parole to Canada, having served thirty-three years of a life sentence he received for the kidnapping of William Hamm, Jr., of the Hamm Breweries in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Over a period of a year, Karpis (with co-author Bill Trent), taped his vivid memories of a remarkable life in thirties crime, of his friendships with the pantheon of professional criminals, and of his prolonged pursuit by J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI."--Page [4 of cover].

Was Arizona Donnie Clark, AKA Kate “Ma” Barker the mastermind behind the Barker gang terrorizing the Midwest during the early years of the great Depression? Or was she a terrible mother who urged her sons to criminal behavior for her own financial gain? Or does the truth lie somewhere in between. This lively retelling of the legend of Ma Barker and her boys is full of action, intrigue, and the answers to mysteries that have lingered for more than 70 years.

Robberies, murders, kidnappings - Minnesota has been home to several notorious crimes. Some were committed by infamous lawbreakers: the James-Younger gang, John Dillinger, Bonnie & Clyde and others. But not all misdeeds have been done by career criminals. Take a closer look at more than two dozen unlawful acts that rocked Minnesota and often grabbed headlines across the country.

Using new information that comes from the formerly classified files of the FBI, this book tells the full story of the remarkable criminal career of Baby Face Nelson. Illustrations.

"The Golden Age Of Bank Robbers" describes what occurred during this nation's darkest days. Bank robberies during the 1920's and 1930's were at an all time high. Many banks closed their doors after robbers cleared out their vaults. A new breed of folk hero was created: spiritual descendants of Jesse James and Billy The Kid. This book describes how outlaws such as John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd and other gangsters, lived and died. Lawmen that were under-paid and out-gunned were no match for the machinegun welding gangsters during the Great Depression. Many men died trying to capture these notorious outlaws. Details of bank robberies, shoot-outs with police, and daring get-a-ways are described with vivid details. This book describes eight different notorious bank robbers. Read about stories of their lives, crimes, and deaths. This fascinating book details the research of how these robbers were able to steal thousands of dollars from banks. Until now, many of these bank robbers have long been forgotten by history. By reading this book, you'll go back in time and ride with each gangster as he daringly robs bank after bank. "The Golden Age of Bank Robbers" is a colorful collection of historical anecdotes and descriptive accounts - including some great photographs - of the rambunctious crime spree that occurred mainly in the Midwest during the first half of the twentieth century. This book serves as both an opportunity for academic learning as well as a thorough resource for those personally interested in or passionate about a significant (and fast-changing) time in US history. Readers interested in American history and the unique drama of the 1920s and 1930s will appreciate the material covered in this book.

Rushmore McKenzie, a retired St. Paul policeman and unexpected millionaire, often works as an unlicensed P.I., doing favors as it suits him. When graduate students Ivy Flynn and Josh Berglund show up with a story about $8 million in missing stolen gold from the ‘30s, McKenzie is intrigued. In the early 20th century, St. Paul, Minnesota was an open city —a place where gangsters could come and stay unmolested by the local authorities. Frank "Jelly" Nash was suspected of masterminding a daring robbery of gold bars in 1933, but, before he could unload it, he was killed in the Kansas City Massacre. His gold, they believe, is still somewhere in St. Paul. But they aren't the only ones looking. So are a couple of two-bit thugs, a woman named Heavenly, a local big-wig, and others. When Berglund is shot dead outside of Ivy's apartment, the treasure hunt turns unexpectedly deadly. In this hard-boiled mystery from David Housewright, Mac McKenzie is looking for more than a legendary stash from seventy-five years ago---he's looking for a killer and the long hidden truth behind Jelly's gold.

"On a May morning in 1931, Nassau County police officer Fred Hirsch was gunned down by the notorious New York City gangster Francis Crowley. Nicknamed "Two Gun" for tricking and murdering cops with a second loaded firearm, Crowley left a bloody trail from the Bronx to Long Island. ... Eventually he was tracked to a hideout in Manhattan, where a two-hour gun battle, including more that two hundred cops and ten thousand spectators, let to his capture. ... Author Jerry Aylward presents the murderous life of Francis "Two Gun" Crowley from the streets of New York to the electric chair in Sing Sing."--Back cover