On this date in 1939, five inmates, including Arthur “Doc” Barker of the infamous Karpis-Barker gang, attempted to escape from the federal prison on Alcatraz Island. The men escaped from the cell house after sawing and bending the bars on a window. They made their way to the shoreline and attempted to escape on a makeshift raft. When they were discovered, three of the inmates, William Martin, Henri Young, and Rufus McCain surrendered. Barker and inmate Dale Stamphill were shot by guards. Barker died later from his wounds.
Further reading:
Alcatraz – Escapes
Alcatraz – Arthur “Doc” Barker
John D.:
Nothing like a good ALCATRAZ story to get things going…
(and I wish they never took that show ALCATRAZ off…(dumbasses)
Didn’t know that Al Karpis teamed up with Barker (as in Ma Barker, I presume).
Good find.
Stay safe.
I miss that show too. But hey, at least we can still see Sarah Jones in VEGAS. And she’s looking pretty damned good in that role.