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Wynona Burdett...FBI files; #5



Wynona Burdett and the FBI file: Barker-Karpis Gang





I.C.#7-576

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November 19, 1936


After the assassination of Fred Goetz, the gang deemed it advisable to move the ransom money from its burial place at Wilmington, Illinois and there after, on or about March 23, 1934, Kate Barker and Irene Dorsey contacted Volney Davis at his apartment in Aurora, Illinois and on that night Volney Davis, with Kate Barker and Irene Dorsey, removed the ransom money from Wilmington, Illinois, taking it to the apartment of Fred Barker in Chicago, Illinois, who had returned from Toledo, Ohio. Thereafter the ransom negotiations with "Boss" McLaughlin began on or about April 18, 1934 and the money was taken to the apartment of William Weaver at Aurora, Illinois. The money was then routed through Dr. Moran to the money-changers in Chicago, Illinois.

During the months of March and April 1934, Moran's rooms at the Irving Hotel were used as a rendezvous by "Doc" Barker, Oliver A. Berg, "Boss" McLaughlin, Russell Gibson and other members of the Karpis-Barker gang. The rooms of Dr. Moran contained at various times many thousands of dollars of the ransom money. After the money had been exchanged, it was returned to Dr. Moran's rooms, where percentages were paid for the exchanges and other quantities of ransom money were given to McLaughlin for further exchange. Moran received his "cut" for the assistance which he rendered. Oliver A. Berg, Russell Gibson and James Wilson, the nephew of Dr. Moran, were assisting the mobsters by making trips with them to Aurora, Illinois to secure money for purposes of exchange in Chicago and Wilson was running other errands which were required. James Wilson became involved with this notorious mob because he had hoped that his uncle, Dr. Moran, would secure sufficient remuneration from the exchange of the ransom money to permit his uncle defraying his expenses for a medical course in college.

Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation ascertained that on or about the 10th of March, 1934, Dr. Moran operated on the fingers and faces of Alvin Karpis and Fred Barker in his rooms at the Irving Hotel, in an unsuccessful effort to alter their fingerprints and facial characteristics to prevent identification. After these operations, Alvin Karpis and Fred Barker convalesced in a room provided for them by Oliver Berg at the home of his sister on Winthrop Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Fred Barker was suffering from operations the night Fred Goetz was killed. This prevented him from taking an active part in the removal of the ransom money from Wilmington, Illinois. It is said that Fred Barker was a "raving maniac", due to the pain caused by the unsuccessful operations performed by the ex-convict doctor.

On April 22, 1934 at the lodge known as Little Bohemia at Spider Lake, Wisconsin, John Dillinger and his mobsters evaded capture by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and fled to St. Paul, Minnesota and thence to Chicago, Illinois. In this escape John Hamilton, the gangster associate of Dillinger, was wounded. Refuge was sought and obtained by


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I.C.#7-576

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November 19, 1936


Dillinger, Homer Van Meter and the wounded Hamilton from members of the Karpis-Barker gang. Through mutual contacts of Dillinger and members of the Karpis-Barker gang, which were members of the Capone Syndicate, Dillinger was put in touch with Elmer Farmer at Bensenville, Illinois and through Elmer Farmer arrangements were made to take John Hamilton to the home of Volney Davis at Aurora, Illinois, at which palce Hamilton died and after his death he was buried by Volney Davis, "Doc" Barker, John Dillinger, Homer Van Meter, William Weaver and Harry Campbell in a gravel pit near Oswego, Illinois. The body of Hamilton was later recovered on August 28, 1935 by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On the day that "Boss" McLaughlin was arrested with his colleagues in Chicago, Illinois, a dramatic incident occurred at Aurora, Illinois. The gang did not know whether "Boss" McLaughlin would talk. They anticipated that if he did talk the gang's hide-out at Aurora would become known. They decided to be prepared. "Doc" Barker, Harry Campbell, Volney Davis and William Weaver, together with their guests John Dillinger and Homer Van Meter, guarded the windows and the doors of Volney Davis' apartment all through the night, each being armed with a machine gun, anticipating a raid by Special Agents. The following morning, Russell Gibson brought them the details of what he had learned concerning the arrest of the money-changers. Coincident with the announcement in the press on April 28, 1934 of the arrest of John J. McLaughlin, St. and the others, Dr. Joseph P. Moran abandoned his rooms at the Irving Hotel and together with Oliver A. Berg, Russell Gibson and James Wilson, fled to Toledo, Ohio.

Prior to the occurrences at Aurora, Illinois and immediately after the release of Mr. Bremer, Harry Campbell and Wynona Burdette, under the names of Mr. and Mrs. George Nelson, rented an apartment at the Jarvis Apartments in Toledo, Ohio and later, on March 25, 1934, Harry Campbell and Wynona Burdette, as Mr. and Mrs. George Winfield rented a house at 2831 131st street, Point Place, Ohio and apparently Harry Campbell returned to Chicago and Aurora on various occasions during the ransom exchange negotiations.

Alvin Karpis and Dolores Delaney, on April 18, 1934, as Mr. and Mrs. Edward L. Baudry, rented an apartment at the Jarvis Apartments in Toldeo, at which place they continued to reside until May 18, 1934.

Edna Murray after fleeing from Aurora, Illinois subsequent to the apprehension of "Boss" McLaughlin, made a trip to Kansas City, Missouri and vicinity and later joined Volney Davis in Toledo, Ohio, where on May 9, 1934 they rented an apartment at the Burdella Apartments under the names of Mr. and Mrs. H. J. Morley.

The investigation by Special Agents revealed that although the gang had fled from Chicago and Aurora, Illinois, they were making every effort to avoid detection and identification. Arrangements were made at Toledo for


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I.C.#7-576

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November 19, 1936


Volney Davis, Harry Campbell and "Doc" Barker to undergo facial and finger operations similar to those which had been performed on Karpis and Barker at Chicago, Illinois. On the night Dr. Moran was to perform these operations, with the assistance of James Wilson, at the home of Harry Campbell in Point Place, Ohio, Harry Campbell alarmed the other members of the gang by advising that he believed the house was under surveillance by police officers. The operations were postponed while Fred Barker made inquiries, through Ted Angus, whether that situation really existed. Upon receiving information that there was nothing at which they should be alarmed, Dr. Moran performed the operations. It was later said that Harry Campbell lacked the courage in going through with the operations; that he took the means of postponing it by advising his associates that there was danger of a police raid. Volney Davis, Harry Campbell and "Doc" Barker were nursed during their convalescent period by James Wilson, Wynona Burdette and Edna Murray. They suffered severe pain in their fingers and had to be fed by those atending them. The favorite "hang out" for the mob after their flight from Chicago was the Casino Club. Here the gang spent their money freely and enjoyed the fruits of their crime. Charles J. Fitzgerald, better know as "Old Fitz" or the "Old Man", was with other members of the gang in Toledo and enjoyed the recreation and entertainment at the Casino Club with them. Fitzgerald was popular among the members of the club and others who visited that place, as he would frequently "buy a beer and a whiskey for the house".

In June 1934 William Weaver and Myrtle Eaton, as Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Orhee, rented a cottage at Grand Forest Beach, Ohio. Likewise Edna Murray and Volney Davis took a cottage on Lake Erie near the cottage of William Weaver and Myrtle Eaton, in an effort to avoid the company of other members of the gang, but this was unsuccessful, as various members congregated at these cottages. Discord arouse among the various members and as a result, William Weaver and Volney Davis, who were characterized as the malcontents of the gang, were given their share of the ransom money, which to the best information obtainable, was approximately between $18,000and $20,000 each.

After securing his share of the ransom money, Volney Davis made a trip to Buffalo, New York, where he exchanged for unmarked currency a portion of his share of the ransom money. Davis after making this trip to Buffalo, secured a Ford truck, left Grand Forest Beach, Ohio and proceeded in the truck to Glasgow, Montana, where he was later joined by Edna Murray. Davis intended severing his connections with the Karpis-Barker gang forever and contemplated going into business at Glasgow, Montana with Corey Bates, with whom he had become acquainted while in Aurora, Illinois. At Glasgow, Montana, Davis and Bates leased a plot of land near the Fort Peck Dam and built thereon a night club which was also to be used as a gambling establishment. Volney Davis and Edna Murray enjoyed the free life of the west for only a short time, as they


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I.C.#7-576

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November 19, 1936


received information that Special Agents were conducting an investigation in the vicinity of Glasgow, Montana concerning them and they immediately fled to Kansas City, Missouri.

William Weaver, after securing his share of the ransom money in August, 1934, left the other members of the gang and proceeded, with Myrtle Eaton, to Allandale, Florida, where they took up residence on a small chicken farm.

Alvin Karpis also reasoned that if so many of the gang continued to associate together it would ultimately cause their apprehension, so he, with Dolores Delaney, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where in early May of 1934 they rented an apartment, the location of which has never been determined. They were soon joined by Fred Barker and Paula Harmon, who on May 20, 1934 rented an apartment at 10515 Parkhurst Avenue, where they resided under the names of Mr. and Mrs. J. Earl Matterson. On June 8, 1934, Alvin Karpis and his moll, as Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Milgreth, rented a house at 18109 Flamingo Avenue, where they continued to live until July 6, 1934, on which latter date they rented a house at 5973 West 140th Street. On August 16, 1934 as Mr. and Mrs. J. Earl Matterson, Fred Barker and his woman began living at 4419 West 171st Street, Cleveland, Ohio.

Harry Sawyer after the kidnaping and release of Mr. Bremer continued to reside with his wife, Gladys, in St. Paul, Minnesota until April, 1934, when he fled with his wife to Las Vega, Nevada to avoid prosecution in connection with the abduction of Mr. Bremer. Harry Sawyer had not received his share of the ransom money and therefore in June, 1934 he communicated with Alvin Karpis by letter at General Delivery, Cleveland, Ohio, and made arrangements to meet Karpis in Cleveland and thereafter did join other members of the gang in that city.

On or about August 21, 1934, Harry Campbell and Wynona Burdette left their cottage at Grand Forest Beach, Ohio and also moved into Cleveland, Ohio, where as Mr. and Mrs. George Walcott they rented an apartment at 7009 Franklin Boulevard. "Doc" Barker also resided at this address with them. Harrison also associated with those members of the gang living in Cleveland, Ohio. Alvin Karpis, Fred Barker, Harry Campbell, Harry Sawyer, "Doc" Barker and William Harrison were enjoying their rest at Cleveland, Ohio, frequenting the Harvard Club, a notorious gambling establishment in Newberg Heights, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, which was operated by James "Shimmy" Patton and Arthur W. Hebebrand[?]. The gang in September of 1934 still possessed approximately $100,000 of the original ransom money and to avoid detection, efforts were being made by them to exchange the ransom money for money which could not be detected by the serial numbers. William Harrison and Harry Sawyer were designated as the emissaries


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I.C.#7-576

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November 19, 1936


of the mob to proceed to Miami, Florida and make arrangments for this exchange and on September 1, 1934, Sawyer and Harrison were at the El Commodoro Hotel in Miami, Florida.

Four days later, on September 5, 1934, the tranquillity enjoyed by those who remained in Cleveland, Ohio was materially disturbed, for on that date Wynona Burdette, Gladys Sawyer and Paula Harmon visited the bar in the Cleveland Hotel at Cleveland, Ohio, where they indulged heavily in intoxicating liquors. They became boisterous and as a result they were arrested by the Cleveland, Ohio Police Department on charges of being drunk and disorderly. They were taken from the hotel screaming, fearing that their identities would become known. Special Agents learned of the arrest of the women and identified them as being associates of the Karpis-Barker gang. Again it was time for the remaining members of the gang in Cleveland to move. Dolores Delaney was instructed by Alvin Karpis to immediately proceed to Toledo, Ohio and register at the Algeo Hotel. At this place the Delaney woman received further instruction from Karpis to proceed to Chicago, Illinois. Fred Barker and Alvin Karpis followed and thereafter Karpis met Dolores Delaney in Chicago and Fred Barker met his mother and the next place of refuge was Miami, Florida. Special Agents, after the identification of the women were made, conducted an investigation at the various residences which had been occupied by the gangsters, but found that they had fled. Paula Harmon, Wynona Burdette and Gladys Sawyer, after being questioned concerning the wanderings of the gang, were released. Gladys Sawyer returned to her home in St. Paul, but later rejoined her husband and proceeded to the State of Mississippi. After the release of Wynona Burdette, she proceeded to the home of her sister in Tulsa, Oklahoma and later to the home of another sister near Hominy, Oklahoma. Wynona had vowed that she was through with gangsters and their activities. She expressed a hope that she could again secure a position in her native state and remain there as a law-abiding citizen. Paula Harmon, upon being discharged from custody, returned to her home at Port Arthur, Texas, later to be committed to a state hospital for mental disorders. She thereafter at no time associated with other members of the mob.

William Harrison and Harry Sawyer had, in the meantime, started negotiations with Cassius McDonald to make further exchanges of the ransom money. Cassius McDonald, a man of fifty years of age, for twenty-five years had engaged in gambling activities in Chicago, Detroit and Havana, Cuba. He maintained a residence at Trombley Road and Lake St. Clair, Detroit, Michigan, where he entertained many prominent politicians. For ten years, McDonald had spent a considerable portion of his time in Cuba, as a result of which he gained control of the gambling activities in Havana. On Sepember 5, 1934, McDonald traveled by air to Havana, Cuba, where he contacted a brokerage firm, stating to the officials of that firm that he had a quantity of small denomination American bills with which he desired to purchase Cuban gold. McDonald introduced himself to the brokerage firm as Mr. O'Brien. McDonald exchanged $18,000 of the ransom money and received $14,000 in Cuban gold in exchange.


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I.C.#7-576

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November 19, 1936


The following day McDonald went to the National City Bank in Havana, Cuba, where arrangements were made for the sale of the Cuban gold through that bank and McDonald received fourteen one thousand dollar bills in exchange therefor. Later, on September 10, 1934, McDonald under the name O'Brien again contacted the brokerage firm and made arrangements to exchange $72,000 in ransom money for larger bills. The representatives of the brokerage firm were Rene Bolivar and Juan Ruis and on the occasion of his second visit to the firm, McDonald invited Bolivar and Ruis to his room at the National Hotel, at which place they observed William J. Harrison. McDonald while in the hotel room produced a newspaper wrapped package which contained $72,000 in small bills. Bolivar thereafter went to the Chase National Bank in Havana, Cuba with McDonald and the money was exchanged for one thousand dollar bills. The Chase National Bank charged a discount of one-fourth of one percent on the transaction.

Alvin Karpis and Dolores Delaney on September 20, 1934 registered at the El Commodoro Hoel in Miami, Florida and Mr. and Mrs. J. Wagner of Detroit, Michigan, but on the following day they checked out of this hotel and took refuge in Havana, Cuba. At Havana, Cuba they visited the park View Hotel and presented to the Manager, Nathaniel Keller, a card signed by Joe Adams, the Manager of the El Commodoro Hotel, which card bore the message "this man is all right". Karpis believed that in Cuba he would find relaxation from the pressing search being conducted by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Through the efforts of Nathaniel Keller, Karpis rented a cottage at Veradero Beach in Cuba and he and Dolores once more "settled down".

Other members of the Karpis-Barker gang who during September 1934 registered at the El Commodoro Hotel were Harry Campbell, Fred and Kate Barker. Ma Barker appeared at the hotel on September 30, 1934 and registered as Mrs. G. K. Ryan of South Bend, Indiana. Harry Campbell, as G. L. Summers, and Fred Barker, as T. C. Blackburn, of St. Charles, Illinois, registered at the hotel on September 29, 1934 and remained there until November 7, 1934, as did Ma Barker. During the residence of Fred Barker at the El Commodoro Hotel he expressed a desire to Joe Adams, the Manager, that he would like to have a cottage where he and his mother could reside and enjoy a quite life. Joe Adams had a friend who owned a cottage which would supply the need of Fred Barker. Adams, through this friend, secured the rental of a cottage for Fred Barker and his mother which was located on Lake Weir at Oklawaha, Florida. After this cottage was rented by Fred Barker, he and his mother left the El Commodoro Hotel on November 7, 1934 and took up their residence on lake Weir.

Harry Campbell became lonesome for Wynona Burdette and a few days before Thanksgiving of 1934 he drove to Oklahoma to the home of Wynona Burdette's sister at Hominy, Oklahoma and there rejoined Wynona. Wynona cast aside the resolution she had previously made and returned with Campbell to the State of


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I.C.#7-576

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November 19, 1936


Florida, where they began living with Fred Barker and his mother on Lake Weir. Karpis, in the meantime, with Dolores Delaney, had continued to reside in Havana, Cuba, but in the early part of December 1934, Karpis again decided it was best to move. His photograph had appeared in the Havana newspapers and he feared someone might recognize him. The couple returned to Miami, Florida. Again Joe Adams came to the assistance of a member of the gang and assisted Dolores Delaney and Karpis in renting a house at 1121 95th Street, N.E., Miami, Florida, where the couple resided as Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Groom.

While these activities were taking place in Miami, Florida and Havana, Cuba, James Wilson had not seen his uncle, Dr. Moran, for several weeks, so he left Toledo, Ohio and proceeded to Chicago, Illinois and then to Denver, Colorado, where on September 4, 1934 he surrendered to the Denver Field Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

"Doc" Barker, prior to going to Toledo, Ohio in April 1934 had been termed by his associates as a woman hater, except for his frequent visits to houses of prostitution. At Toledo, Ohio "Doc" Barker became infatuated with Mildred Kuhlman, who was a friend of Madeline Angus, the wife of Ted Angus, who had affored the gang protection. Mildred was also friendly with Thelma and Rene Holst, sisters of Madeline Angus. After the gang had left the vicinity of Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio, "Doc" Barker persuaded Mildred Kuhlman with promises of many luxuries to return with him to Chicago, Illinois. Through the investigative efforts of Special Agents it was established that Mildred Kuhlman on December 11, 1934 registered at the Morrison Hotel in Chicago, Illinois. An immediate surveillance was instituted of this woman and it disclosed that Mildred Kuhlman resided at 432 Serf Street, Chicago, Illinois; that she was friendly and almost in constant company with a woman known as Patricia Lonquest. The investigation further disclosed that "Doc" Barker was residing with the Kuhlman woman at the Serf Street adress and that "Doc" and Mildred were associating with William Harrison and Russell Gibson in Chicago. It was also ascertained that in keeping with the usual practice, Harrison had rented an apartment at 3920 Pine Grove Avenue in Chicago as J. B. Bolton and Special Agents immediately determined that Russell Gibson and "Doc" Barker frequented the place.

The apprehension of these fugitives was delayed, as the information which had been obtained throughout the course of the investigation of the Bremer kidnaping had indicated that members of the gang usually resided in the same general vicinity and it was not until investigation definitely disclosed that Alvin Karpis and other members of the gang were not associating with "Doc" Barker in Chicago that action was taken to apprehend those fugitives who had been located. On the night of January 8, 1935 the apartment at 3920 Pine Grove Avenue was surrounded. Other Special Agents covered the address at 432 Serf Street and at about 6:30 P.M. on that date "Doc" Barker and Mildred


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I.C.#7-576

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Kuhlman left the premises and were taken into custody by Special Agents. "Doc" Barker had no opportunity to resist. An immediate search of the apartment which had been occupied by "Doc Barker and Mildred Kuhlman revealed a large black leather case in which there was contained a Thompson submachine gun from which the serial number had been removed. The Technical Laboratory of the Federal Bureau of Investigation subsequently restored this number and it was found that it was the machine gun which had been stolen by members of the Karpis-Barker gang at the time they staged the pay roll robbery in South St. Paul on August 30, 1933 and killed a policeman.

At about 10:45 P.M. on January 8, 1935 a Special Agent gave the command to the occupants at 3920 Pine Grove Avenue to surrender. Clara Gibson, wife of Russell Gibson, Ruth Heidt, the ex-wife of William J. Harrison, and Bryan Bolton complied with this command. Ignoring the plea of his wife who frantically begged him to surrender, Russell Gibson chose to fight it out. He equipped himself with a bulletproof vest, a .32 Caliber Colt automatic pistol and a Browning automatic rifle and endeavored to force an escape through the rear door of the apartment. Gibson cautiously opened the door, but upon observing a Special Agent guarding the entrance, Gibson raised the automatic rifle and fired. His aim was poor. The Special Agent returned the fire and Gibson fell at the feet of the stairway mortally wounded. Gibson died a few hours later in a hospital in Chicago, Illinois with a curse on his lips for all law inforcement officials. A few day later, ironically on his birthday, Gibson was buried in a cemetery at Chicago, Illinois. There was no large gangster funeral, but only a few of his nearest relatives attended. There were no friends as pallbearers, but the employees of the cemetery due to the cold wind which was blowing carried the casket which contained the remains of Russell Gibson from the hearse to the burial place.

Upon entering the apartment at 3920 pine Grove Avenue, Special Agents found a small arsenal. Among the guns found were the following:


1 .32 Colt automatic pistol #481720

1 .38 police positive revolver #273652

2 Browning 30.06 automatic rifles

1 Auto burglar 20 guage Ithaca Gun Company Shotgun #361601

1 .351 rifle fitted with front machine gun grip and Cutts compensator


together with a large quantity of ammunition. A map was found in the effects of "Doc" Barker on which map appeared a penciled circle around the town of Ocala, Florida, which circle encompassed the territory in which Lake Weir was located. Other information had been obtained by Special Agents that in the vicinity of where the other members of the gang were hiding out the residents talked of an alligator known as "Old Joe". In possession of this valuable


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Wynona...#6






"The Wildwood Flower"