Sometimes, reality doesn't match up with the legend, and other times reality is so much better. The former is the case of Kate "Ma" Barker, except for the way she went out, which is why the legend was created in the first place.
The legend version of "Ma Barker," which has been depicted in several movies and TV shows, is irresistible: the cigar-chomping, tommy-gun-toting matronly mastermind, head of a gang of her four devoted, criminal sons. In reality, Ma Barker's four sons, Herman, Lloyd, Arthur (aka "Doc"), and Fred, were true criminals, guilty of armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, and more as part of the Karpis-Barker Gang, but Ma was mostly just along for the ride, cooking and taking care of her boys. Mainly, she was part of their disguise -- a mother and her sons made them look more innocent.
After Doc was captured on Jan. 8 in Chicago, FBI agents located the rest of the gang based on a map of Ocklawaha, FL, he had left behind. Agents surrounded the house and a four-hour gun battle ensued (the longest in FBI history). The house was riddled with thousands of bullets. After the shooting finally stopped, agents went in and found both Fred and Ma dead. Concerned over the possible reaction from his agents killing a 60-year-old woman, Hoover concocted the popular image of "Ma Barker" known today. And thus, a legend was born, true or not.
READ MORE: Ocala.com
READ MORE: Wilson Jay's South
ON FILM: Ma Barker's Killer Brood
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