Alvin Karpis and the Barker Gang: Minnesota's Notorious Outlaws

The Barker-Karpis Gang was one of the most notorious criminal gangs in American history. Led by Alvin Karpis and Fred Barker, the gang terrorized the Midwest during the 1930s, committing murders, robberies, and kidnappings. Their reign of terror came to an end in 1935, when Karpis was captured by the FBI in New Orleans. Barker was killed in a shootout with the FBI in Florida shortly thereafter.

Alvin Karpis and the Barker Gang in Minnesota (True Crime)

by Deborah Frethem

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2020 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	163 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The Barker-Karpis Gang was responsible for a number of high-profile crimes, including the kidnapping of William Hamm, the wealthy president of the Hamm's Brewing Company. Hamm was kidnapped from his St. Paul home in 1933 and held for ransom for $100,000. After Hamm's family paid the ransom, he was released unharmed.

The gang also robbed a number of banks and businesses in Minnesota, including the First National Bank of St. Cloud in 1934. The gang made off with $30,000 in cash and securities in the robbery.

The Barker-Karpis Gang was eventually brought down by the FBI, which had been tracking the gang for months. In April 1935, the FBI raided a hideout in St. Paul where Karpis and Barker were hiding. Karpis was captured without incident, but Barker was killed in a shootout with the FBI.

The capture of Karpis and the death of Barker marked the end of the Barker-Karpis Gang. The gang had been responsible for a number of violent crimes, but they were also seen as victims of the economic depression that gripped the country in the 1930s. The gang's story is a fascinating glimpse into the world of crime and violence that existed in the Midwest during the early 20th century.

Alvin Karpis

Alvin Karpis was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1907. He grew up in a poor family and dropped out of school at a young age. Karpis began his criminal career by committing petty crimes, but he quickly escalated to more serious crimes, including robbery and murder.

In 1932, Karpis joined forces with Fred Barker to form the Barker-Karpis Gang. The gang quickly became one of the most notorious criminal gangs in the country, committing a number of high-profile crimes, including the kidnapping of William Hamm.

Karpis was captured by the FBI in New Orleans in 1935. He was sentenced to life in prison and died in prison in 1979.

Fred Barker

Fred Barker was born in Webb City, Missouri, in 1904. He grew up in a poor family and dropped out of school at a young age. Barker began his criminal career by committing petty crimes, but he quickly escalated to more serious crimes, including robbery and murder.

In 1932, Barker joined forces with Alvin Karpis to form the Barker-Karpis Gang. The gang quickly became one of the most notorious criminal gangs in the country, committing a number of high-profile crimes, including the kidnapping of William Hamm.

Barker was killed in a shootout with the FBI in Florida in 1935.

The Barker-Karpis Gang

The Barker-Karpis Gang was a criminal gang that operated in the Midwest during the 1930s. The gang was led by Alvin Karpis and Fred Barker, and it was responsible for a number of high-profile crimes, including the kidnapping of William Hamm.

The gang was eventually brought down by the FBI in 1935. Karpis was captured without incident, but Barker was killed in a shootout with the FBI.

True Crime in Minnesota

Minnesota has a long and storied history of true crime. From the infamous Lindbergh kidnapping to the more recent case of Jacob Wetterling, Minnesota has been the scene of some of the most notorious crimes in American history.

The Barker-Karpis Gang is just one example of the many criminal gangs that have operated in Minnesota over the years. These gangs have been responsible for a wide range of crimes, from robbery and murder to kidnapping and extortion.

The story of the Barker-Karpis Gang is a fascinating glimpse into the world of crime and violence that existed in Minnesota during the early 20th century. It is a story that is both tragic and compelling, and it is one that continues to fascinate people to this day.

If you are interested in learning more about the Barker-Karpis Gang and other true crime stories from Minnesota, there are a number of resources available. You can visit the Minnesota Historical Society website, or you can check out the book Alvin Karpis and the Barker Gang in Minnesota by John Dillinger.

Alvin Karpis and the Barker Gang in Minnesota (True Crime)

by Deborah Frethem

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2020 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	163 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE