George Machine Gun Kelly Barnes #18

Early Life and Criminal Beginnings

George Kelly Barnes grew up in a relatively well-off family in Memphis and initially led a fairly ordinary life. He attended Mississippi State University but eventually dropped out and began a life of crime. In the 1920s, during Prohibition, Kelly became involved in bootlegging, smuggling illegal alcohol, and running small-time criminal operations. It was during this time that he adopted the name "George R. Kelly" and began using "Machine Gun" as a moniker due to his use of the Thompson submachine gun.

Rise to Notoriety

Kelly's criminal activities escalated in the early 1930s. Alongside his wife, Kathryn Kelly, who played a significant role in promoting his fearsome reputation, Kelly became involved in bank robberies across several states. The couple lived a lavish lifestyle, flaunting their wealth and notoriety.

The Urschel Kidnapping

Kelly's most infamous crime was the kidnapping of oil tycoon Charles F. Urschel in July 1933. Kelly and his accomplices abducted Urschel from his Oklahoma City home and demanded a ransom of $200,000, a staggering sum at the time. Urschel, however, cleverly left clues during his captivity, which later aided the FBI in tracking down Kelly and his gang.

The ransom was paid, and Urschel was released unharmed, but the FBI launched a nationwide manhunt. The meticulous investigation led to the arrest of Kelly and Kathryn in Memphis on September 26, 1933. When the FBI agents stormed their hideout, Kelly allegedly uttered the famous line, "Don’t shoot, G-Men!" This phrase popularized the term "G-Men" as a nickname for FBI agents.

Arrest, Trial, and Imprisonment

Kelly was quickly brought to trial for the kidnapping, and due to the overwhelming evidence, including testimony from Urschel, he was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in October 1933. His wife, Kathryn, was also convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Kelly was initially sent to Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas but was later transferred to the newly opened Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in San Francisco Bay, where he became one of the prison’s most famous inmates. At Alcatraz, he was considered a model prisoner, earning the nickname "Pop Gun Kelly" due to his reportedly good behavior and the decline of his once-feared reputation.

Later Life and Death

George "Machine Gun" Kelly spent 17 years at Alcatraz before being transferred back to Leavenworth in 1951. He continued to serve his life sentence until his death from a heart attack on July 18, 1954, his 59th birthday.

Legacy

Machine Gun Kelly's life of crime and his dramatic arrest made him one of the most infamous figures of the gangster era. The kidnapping of Charles Urschel was a pivotal case in the history of the FBI, helping to solidify the bureau's reputation for combating organized crime. Kelly’s story has been depicted in various films and books, and his legacy remains as a symbol of the lawlessness of the Prohibition era and the federal government’s efforts to curb it.

Despite his violent career, Kelly's later years in prison were marked by a stark transformation, showing how even the most feared criminals could be subdued and reformed by the justice system. His capture and the resulting trial were significant in the development of modern federal law enforcement, particularly in the use of forensic evidence and the coordination of interstate investigations.