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Machine Gun Kelly (Gangster)

George “Machine Gun” Kelly, born George Kelly Barnes on July 18, 1895, was a notorious American gangster during the Prohibition…

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George “Machine Gun” Kelly, born George Kelly Barnes on July 18, 1895, was a notorious American gangster during the Prohibition era and the early 1930s. He became infamous for bootlegging, bank robberies, and, most notably, the kidnapping of a wealthy oil tycoon, Charles Urschel, in 1933. His nickname, “Machine Gun,” came from his use of the Thompson submachine gun (Tommy gun), although his reputation for violence was often exaggerated. Despite his relatively short criminal career, Kelly became one of the most well-known criminals of his time.

Early Life and Entry into Crime
Birth and Early Life: George Kelly Barnes was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to a relatively well-off family. His early life was not marked by poverty or hardship, but he turned to crime in the 1920s after a brief attempt at a legitimate career. After dropping out of Mississippi State University, Kelly became involved in bootlegging during the Prohibition era, when alcohol production and distribution were illegal in the U.S.

Marriage to Kathryn Thorne: A significant turning point in Kelly’s life was his marriage to Kathryn Thorne in the late 1920s. Kathryn had a criminal background herself and encouraged George to embrace the life of an outlaw. She gave him his first Thompson submachine gun, reportedly helping him craft his tough “Machine Gun Kelly” persona, complete with staged photos of him posing with his weapon. Kathryn’s influence was key in building his notoriety.

Criminal Activities
Bank Robberies: Kelly and his associates engaged in several bank robberies across the Midwest. Although he gained some notoriety as a bank robber, Kelly was never considered one of the era’s top-tier criminals, compared to figures like John Dillinger or Bonnie and Clyde.

The Kidnapping of Charles Urschel (1933):
The Crime: Kelly’s most infamous crime was the kidnapping of Charles Urschel, a wealthy oil magnate from Oklahoma City, in July 1933. Kelly and his gang held Urschel for ransom, demanding $200,000, which was one of the largest ransom demands of the time (equivalent to over $4 million today). The kidnapping was meticulously planned, and Urschel was blindfolded and taken to a remote hideout on a Texas farm.

Mistake by the Kidnappers: Although the ransom was successfully paid, the kidnapping unraveled due to a key mistake. While being held captive, Urschel made a conscious effort to observe everything around him, including details about his environment and the kidnappers’ behavior. He memorized background noises, such as the sounds of airplanes, and left fingerprints on objects intentionally. Once released, Urschel provided the FBI with detailed information that helped them track down the kidnappers.

Capture and Trial:
FBI Involvement: The FBI, under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover, took charge of the case. This was a critical moment in the FBI’s rise as a national law enforcement agency. The information provided by Urschel allowed FBI agents to track the kidnappers to a farmhouse owned by Kathryn Kelly’s mother in Paradise, Texas.

Kelly’s Arrest: On September 26, 1933, George and Kathryn Kelly were captured at a Memphis hotel by FBI agents. Reportedly, Kelly surrendered without a fight, famously shouting, “Don’t shoot, G-Men!” This phrase contributed to the popularization of the term “G-Men” as a slang term for FBI agents. While Kelly had cultivated a fearsome image as a machine gun-wielding outlaw, the ease of his capture tarnished his criminal reputation.

Trial and Conviction: The trial of George and Kathryn Kelly attracted significant media attention. Both were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping of Charles Urschel. The swift conviction was a major victory for the FBI and solidified the agency’s role in fighting organized crime.

Life in Prison
Imprisonment in Alcatraz: After his conviction, George Kelly was sent to the notorious Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay. While in Alcatraz, Kelly was reportedly a well-behaved inmate, and his fellow prisoners often mocked the exaggerated legend of his criminal career. His time in Alcatraz was largely uneventful, and he was transferred to Leavenworth Prison later in life.

Death: George “Machine Gun” Kelly died of a heart attack on July 18, 1954, at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas, on his 59th birthday. By the time of his death, his criminal career had faded into history, but his role in the Urschel kidnapping and his larger-than-life persona made him a significant figure in American crime lore.

Legacy
Public Image: Machine Gun Kelly’s nickname and the image he and his wife cultivated helped create the myth of a ruthless gangster. In reality, much of his reputation was inflated, partly due to Kathryn’s efforts to make him famous and the media’s fascination with crime in the 1930s. The FBI’s role in his capture and the high-profile nature of the Urschel case also played a part in solidifying his notoriety.

Impact on Law Enforcement: The successful investigation and capture of Machine Gun Kelly helped the FBI gain credibility as a national crime-fighting organization. It was one of the first major victories for the Bureau under J. Edgar Hoover, which contributed to the FBI’s growing role in combating organized crime during the 1930s.

Cultural Influence: Machine Gun Kelly’s life has been depicted in several films and books over the years, often focusing on the romance between George and Kathryn and their dramatic fall from the criminal underworld. He remains one of the more colorful figures of the Public Enemy Era, a time in the early 20th century when gangsters like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Baby Face Nelson captured the public’s imagination.

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