Barker - Karpis Gang

Ma Barker

• 1873 - 1935 
• Born in Missouri to a poor family 
• As a Child witnessed Jesse James and his gang ride through her hometown, which triggered her need for adventure 
• Mother of 4 criminal sons – Arthur, Freddie, Herman, and Lloyd. They were constantly in trouble, but she refused to discipline them and would get angry at anyone including her husband who tried to scold them 
• Used as a cover for her sons Arthur and Freddie, but never participated in their crimes 
• Killed by FBI with her son Freddie in a 4hr gun battle in Oklawaha, Florida Jan. 16th 1935 

Arthur “Doc” Barker

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• 1899-1939 
• Born in Missouri 
• Son of Ma Barker 
• Convicted of murder in 1922 and sentenced to life, but was paroled in 1932 through bribery of state officials by gang associates 
• With brother Fred, Alvin Karpis and others committed bank robberies, murders, and ransom kidnapping of William A Hamm Jr. and Edward G. Bremer (wealthy businessmen) 
• Arrested by FBI in Chicago on Jan. 8th, 1935 and convicted of the kidnappings and sentenced to life 
• Killed while trying to escape Alcatraz Jan. 13, 1939 

Freddie Barker 

• 1903- 1935 
• Born in Missouri 
• Son of Ma Barker 
• Paroled in 1931 from state Prison at Lansing Kansas where he met Alvin Karpis while serving time for burglary 
• Notorious bank and payroll robber, killer, and kidnapper 
• Died with mother in FBI gun Fight 

Alvin “Old Creepy” Karpis 

• 1908 - 1979 
• Born in Montreal, Canada 
• Co leader with Fred and Arthur Barker of the Barker – Karpis Gang 
• Starting Committing crimes at age 10 selling pornography, bootlegging and running around with gamblers 
• Bank, mail, and train robber 
• Obtained $300,000 in ransom money from kidnapping William Hamm Jr. and Edward Bremer 
• Karpis and partners stole over a million dollars and killed 10 men 
• Captured by FBI director Hoover in New Orleans 1936 
• Pleaded guilty to Hamm Kidnapping and sentenced to life 
• Spent 33yrs in prison mostly on Alcatraz 
• Paroled 1969 and deported to Canada 
• Died in Spain 1979 from overdose of sleeping pills