Fred "Killer" Burke

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Frederick "Killer" Burke

His real name was Thomas Camp. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wall Camp.

He was born 1893 in Mapleton,Kansas. He was part of a family of eight children.

He grew up in Mapleton and attended school in which he was exceedingly intelligent.

He also attended Sunday school regularly.

On the 5th of June 1925, the City of St. Louis police dept. Arrested Fred Burke along with his brothers in arms Gus Winkeler and Milford Jones.All were found to be carrying an arsenal of weapons.After being chased by police, the gangsters threw weapons out the windows of their vehicles.One Smith and Wesson revolver, .38 Caliber fully loaded, Two .45 Caliber Automatics and in a leather handbag they found a fully loaded Waffenbrak Mauser .30 Caliber (German machinegun).

Burke was a traveling bankrobber / hitman who would do anything if the price was right. Killers to many ,but to Winkeler , Harvey Baily and othe gangster friends, Burke was a funny bear like friend who like to goof around and have a couple of beers.

Not so in the news.After His participation in The St. Valentine's day massacre.

Burke was hiding out everywhere trying not to be noticed.

December 14,1929 a Ford driven by a farmer by the name of George Kool was struck by another car attempting to pass him in St. Joseph, Michigan. Kool's fender was damaged and Kool approached the driver demanding payment for it.An arguement ensued and patrol officer by the name of Charles Skelly approached the scene. Burke fled the scene.Officer Skelly jumped on Kool's running board and signalled him to follow Burke.Burke picked up his revolver and fired three times at Officer Skelly. Skelly later died on the operating table. Burke fled South on Highway 12. His car was later found in a ditch after striking a telephone pole near St. Joseph. From the car's registration papers,it was learned that the vehicle belonged to Fred Dane an alleged "Oilman" who lived with his wife in a bungalow near St. Joseph.The Berrian county sheriff raided the place ,but Dane wasn't there.Pretending to be Burke's wife, Mrs. Viola Dane professed to know nothing of her husbands' business or whereabouts.

Viola Brennenman, Burke's woman friend.

She was lying as a verification of her background showed she had earlier been a underworld character.At first police believed her to be Mattie Howard, the underworld bandit who had killed a man.They later discounted this assumption after her name and i.d. proved her to be Viola Brennenman.She had married and later divorced a man named Brenneman from Kankakee in 1912-13 and had a 15 year old child from him.Her maiden name was Ostrowski and she used the alias of Daniels.She was in fact a criminal buddy and love interest of Burke.Police charged her on Dec 14 with receiving stolen property.In the house they found Burke's arsenal of two Thompson submachine guns (one model 21AC and one model 21A).

The serial number for these guns were Model 21 AC =S.N.7580

and Model 21A S.N. 2347

Two "C" Drums along with a half a dozen "L" drums were found.Boxes totaling 900 rounds of .45 ACP ammo was there along with a high powered rifle,two sawed off shotguns,several pistols,assorted ammunition,and several bullet proof vests.Also in the cache was found stolen bonds totaling $319,850 .These were stolen in a robbery back in Nov.7,1929. His laundry markings had the initials of FRB.The police now knew that Fred Dane was in actuality Fred"Killer" Burke who was wanted all over the country.The Thompsons were tested for ballistics by expert Calvin Goddard.The guns proved to be used in the Valentine Massacre and in the killing of Frankie Yale in New York on July 1,1928.The original owners of the guns were also traced.One was purchased by Deputy Sheriff Leslie Farmer (Marion ,Illinois) who had ties with Egan's Rats.The other Thompson was traced to gangland arms dealer Russell Thompson who went by the real name of Frank Thompson (Elgin,Illinois) .Frank Thompson had purchased it from one Peter Von Frantzius who was known to supplied guns to gangsters in Chicago.

Killer Burke remained on the lam for another year with rewards totalling $100,000

Burke was finally apprehended from a tip by an amateur detective who recognized him from a True Detective Mysteries magazine.Burke was now married to a woman by the name of Bonnie Porter and he himself had been living under the alias of Richard F. White. On March 26,1931 in Green City he was arrested at his father in law's home without a shot being fired. He was extradited to Michigan (No death Penalty) for the murder of Officer Skelly.He pleaded guilty and received life imprisonment at the Michigan State Penitentiary .Fred Burke died on July 10, 1940 of a massive heart atack.He had been diabetic for some years.His death made sure he evaded trial for the murders of the seven in the 2122 North Clark garage.Both of Burke's Valentine massacre Tommy guns and his bullet proof vest are in posession of the Berrian County Sheriff's Office.

Mugshot of Fred Burke.

What went wrong with him?

Here is a list of crimes attributed to Mr. Burke.

MURDERS: Shot Frank Wright, Isaac Reisfeld and William Harrison all at once in Detroit March of 1927.(Part of a Purple Gang hit known as the Milaflores Apartment Massacre).

Frank Marlowe and Frankie Uale(Yale) New York 1928(Presumed as bullets were proven from machinegun found in Burke's posession at the time of arrest.This gun also proved through ballistics to have been used in Chicago's Valentine Massacre .

Thomas Bonner ,Hess Lake, Michigan 1930.

St. Valentine massacre of Peter and Frank Gusenberg,Johnnie May,Adam Heyer,James Clark,Dr. Rienhart Schwimmer and Al Weinshank,Chicago, 1929

Killed Officer Charles Skelly,St Joseph,Michigan Dec.14,1929.(This done to avoid being prosecuted in Chicago for massacre murders).

A bank Cashier in Louisville ,Kentucky.

A woman in Columbia City ,Indiana Bank Robbery 1929.

A policeman slain during a hold-up in Toledo.Patrolman George Zientara 16 April 1928.

Bullets fired from Burke's confiscated machinegun matched perfectly with slugs removed from Frankie Yale's body. Also noteworthy Burke was the only man identified by his missing tooth.One of the fake cops leaving 2122 North Clark steet was identified as having Burke's build and possibly missing a front tooth.

Other crimes include :Wounding of a woman and a sheriff during a bank hold-up;

Robbery of Merchants Trust Company,Patterson,N.J. ;Jewel Robberies in Detroit and Los Angeles;

Robbery of the Farmers' and Merchants bank,Jefferson, Wis.; Bank robberies at Peru,Indiana;Cadillac,Michigan,;Cincinnati and Hamilton, Ohio.

Fred Burke and his cohorts were evolved from Egan Rats and Cuckoos gangs in St. Louis.

He befriended many a robber and gangster along his criminal carreer.

Gus Winkeler, Harvey Bailey,Fred Goetz,The Purple gang etc....

He was a bankrobber and a killer for hire.

He was employed along with Winkeler and Goetz as Al Capone's American boys.

They were paid a couple a thousand per week plus expenses to kill and muscle for the Chicago mob.When Al Capone went to prison most of them were in turn exterminated on orders from Frank Nitti who dispised the

American boys and was beginning to worry of their growing power in the Chicago mob. The American boys were uncontrollable cold blooded killers.

A Photo showing the many different appearances of Fred Burke.

The house where Burke was put under arrest.(Green City, Missouri)

He though the arresting officers were gangland hitmen sent to kill him.

House in Stevensville,Michigan used by Burke under the alias Fred Stevens.

He hid out here for awhile after the St.Valentine's day Massacre in 1929.

(Photo courtesy of historian / researcher Chriss Lyon)

The old Burke house today.

(Photo courtesy of historian / researcher Chriss Lyon)

Front view shows that it's now a Coldwell Banker.

(Photo courtesy of historian / researcher Chriss Lyon)

Huge arsenal of weapons including St. Valentine's massacre machineguns found in Burke's Home.

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Bill Helmer)

Burke bullet mounted in frame.

(Mario Gomes collection)

Actual bullet taken from Burke's arms cache

(Special thanks to Mr. Bill Helmer who made this possible).

U.S. Cartridge Co. 17

Poor Mrs. Burke being questioned by Harry Ditchburne(Assitant States attorney Cook County,Illinois,H. Thurman Chief of Detectives Kansas and Assistant States attorney Walter Butler of Cook County.She had no clue who she had married.

Burke's boyhood farmhouse in Mapleton Kansas where he grew up.After his mom died he turned to crime.

Burke's wife Bonnie Porter.She married Burke in 1930 and only knew him as Richard F. White,a business man that travelled often.

Courageous Officer Charles Skelly killed by Burke after he was approched by Skelly for commiting a hit and run.

Officer Charles Skelly (Skalay).He was shot and killed by Burke during a traffic violation (hit and run).This was probably done on purpose by Burke who was feeling the pressure of the law and mob closing in on him.This killing prevented him from being extradited to Chicago for the massacre killings which was a death sentence.Instead Burke received life in prison in Marquette for Skelly's murder.

Officer Skelly's funeral.The hunt for Burke was on.

Officer Skelly laid to rest.Note the name on stone spelled Skalay.

A jovial Burke happy to be arrested.He first thought the arresting police where hitmen sent to shut him up.

Police with weapons found.

Fred Burke died in prison an obese diabetic in 1940.

Sheriff Paul Bailey, Lt. Mike Kline and historian Chris Lyon, who is holding one of Fred "Killer" Burke's choppers. This Thompson submachine gun was used at 2122 North Clark street on February 14,1929.

To see and read more of Berrien's history in relation to this famous crime, visit the Berrien Sheriff's site at www.bcsheriff.org

Click "HISTORY OF BCSD" at left coumn of site.

Chriss Lyon's excellent work on the tommy guns and their history can be seen and read also including, Burke,Winkler and some members of the Capone gang.

A veritable visual feast for the gangster buff!

Some Info and photos taken from True Detective magazine. Other Info taken from Rick Mattix and William J. Helmer's Public Enemies. Special thanks to the Berrian County Sheriff's department and especially historian / researcher Chriss Lyon.


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He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wall Camp. He was born 1893 in Mapleton,Kansas. He was part of a family of eight children. He grew up in Mapleton and attended school in which he was exceedingly intelligent. He also attended Sunday school regularly. On the 5th of June 1925, the City of St. Louis police dept. Arrested Fred Burke along with his brothers in arms Gus Winkeler and Milford Jones.All were found to be carrying an arsenal of weapons.After being chased by police, the gangsters threw weapons out the windows of their vehicles.One Smith and Wesson revolver, .38 Caliber fully loaded, Two .45 Caliber Automatics and in a leather handbag they found a fully loaded Waffenbrak Mauser .30 Caliber (German machinegun). Burke was a traveling bankrobber / hitman who would do anything if the price was right. Killers to many ,but to Winkeler , Harvey Baily and othe gangster friends, Burke was a funny bear like friend who like to goof around and have a couple of beers. Not so in the news.After His participation in The St. Valentine's day massacre. Burke was hiding out everywhere trying not to be noticed. December 14,1929 a Ford driven by a farmer by the name of George Kool was struck by another car attempting to pass him in St. Joseph, Michigan. Kool's fender was damaged and Kool approached the driver demanding payment for it.An arguement ensued and patrol officer by the name of Charles Skelly approached the scene. Burke fled the scene.Officer Skelly jumped on Kool's running board and signalled him to follow Burke.Burke picked up his revolver and fired three times at Officer Skelly. Skelly later died on the operating table. Burke fled South on Highway 12. His car was later found in a ditch after striking a telephone pole near St. Joseph. From the car's registration papers,it was learned that the vehicle belonged to Fred Dane an alleged "Oilman" who lived with his wife in a bungalow near St. Joseph.The Berrian county sheriff raided the place ,but Dane wasn't there.Pretending to be Burke's wife, Mrs. Viola Dane professed to know nothing of her husbands' business or whereabouts. Viola Brennenman, Burke's woman friend. She was lying as a verification of her background showed she had earlier been a underworld character.At first police believed her to be Mattie Howard, the underworld bandit who had killed a man.They later discounted this assumption after her name and i.d. proved her to be Viola Brennenman.She had married and later divorced a man named Brenneman from Kankakee in 1912-13 and had a 15 year old child from him.Her maiden name was Ostrowski and she used the alias of Daniels.She was in fact a criminal buddy and love interest of Burke.Police charged her on Dec 14 with receiving stolen property.In the house they found Burke's arsenal of two Thompson submachine guns (one model 21AC and one model 21A). The serial number for these guns were Model 21 AC =S.N.7580 and Model 21A S.N. 2347 Two "C" Drums along with a half a dozen "L" drums were found.Boxes totaling 900 rounds of .45 ACP ammo was there along with a high powered rifle,two sawed off shotguns,several pistols,assorted ammunition,and several bullet proof vests.Also in the cache was found stolen bonds totaling $319,850 .These were stolen in a robbery back in Nov.7,1929. His laundry markings had the initials of FRB.The police now knew that Fred Dane was in actuality Fred"Killer" Burke who was wanted all over the country.The Thompsons were tested for ballistics by expert Calvin Goddard.The guns proved to be used in the Valentine Massacre and in the killing of Frankie Yale in New York on July 1,1928.The original owners of the guns were also traced.One was purchased by Deputy Sheriff Leslie Farmer (Marion ,Illinois) who had ties with Egan's Rats.The other Thompson was traced to gangland arms dealer Russell Thompson who went by the real name of Frank Thompson (Elgin,Illinois) .Frank Thompson had purchased it from one Peter Von Frantzius who was known to supplied guns to gangsters in Chicago. Killer Burke remained on the lam for another year with rewards totalling $100,000 Burke was finally apprehended from a tip by an amateur detective who recognized him from a True Detective Mysteries magazine.Burke was now married to a woman by the name of Bonnie Porter and he himself had been living under the alias of Richard F. White. On March 26,1931 in Green City he was arrested at his father in law's home without a shot being fired. He was extradited to Michigan (No death Penalty) for the murder of Officer Skelly.He pleaded guilty and received life imprisonment at the Michigan State Penitentiary .Fred Burke died on July 10, 1940 of a massive heart atack.He had been diabetic for some years.His death made sure he evaded trial for the murders of the seven in the 2122 North Clark garage.Both of Burke's Valentine massacre Tommy guns and his bullet proof vest are in posession of the Berrian County Sheriff's Office. Click here to see the guns Mugshot of Fred Burke. What went wrong with him? Here is a list of crimes attributed to Mr. Burke. MURDERS: Shot Frank Wright, Isaac Reisfeld and William Harrison all at once in Detroit March of 1927.(Part of a Purple Gang hit known as the Milaflores Apartment Massacre). Frank Marlowe and Frankie Uale(Yale) New York 1928(Presumed as bullets were proven from machinegun found in Burke's posession at the time of arrest.This gun also proved through ballistics to have been used in Chicago's Valentine Massacre . Thomas Bonner ,Hess Lake, Michigan 1930. St. Valentine massacre of Peter and Frank Gusenberg,Johnnie May,Adam Heyer,James Clark,Dr. Rienhart Schwimmer and Al Weinshank,Chicago, 1929 Killed Officer Charles Skelly,St Joseph,Michigan Dec.14,1929.(This done to avoid being prosecuted in Chicago for massacre murders). A bank Cashier in Louisville ,Kentucky. A woman in Columbia City ,Indiana Bank Robbery 1929. A policeman slain during a hold-up in Toledo.Patrolman George Zientara 16 April 1928. Bullets fired from Burke's confiscated machinegun matched perfectly with slugs removed from Frankie Yale's body. Also noteworthy Burke was the only man identified by his missing tooth.One of the fake cops leaving 2122 North Clark steet was identified as having Burke's build and possibly missing a front tooth. Other crimes include :Wounding of a woman and a sheriff during a bank hold-up; Robbery of Merchants Trust Company,Patterson,N.J. ;Jewel Robberies in Detroit and Los Angeles; Robbery of the Farmers' and Merchants bank,Jefferson, Wis.; Bank robberies at Peru,Indiana;Cadillac,Michigan,;Cincinnati and Hamilton, Ohio. Fred Burke and his cohorts were evolved from Egan Rats and Cuckoos gangs in St. Louis. He befriended many a robber and gangster along his criminal carreer. Gus Winkeler, Harvey Bailey,Fred Goetz,The Purple gang etc.... He was a bankrobber and a killer for hire. He was employed along with Winkeler and Goetz as Al Capone's American boys. They were paid a couple a thousand per week plus expenses to kill and muscle for the Chicago mob.When Al Capone went to prison most of them were in turn exterminated on orders from Frank Nitti who dispised the American boys and was beginning to worry of their growing power in the Chicago mob. The American boys were uncontrollable cold blooded killers. A Photo showing the many different appearances of Fred Burke. The house where Burke was put under arrest.(Green City, Missouri) He though the arresting officers were gangland hitmen sent to kill him. House in Stevensville,Michigan used by Burke under the alias Fred Stevens. He hid out here for awhile after the St.Valentine's day Massacre in 1929. (Photo courtesy of historian / researcher Chriss Lyon) The old Burke house today. (Photo courtesy of historian / researcher Chriss Lyon) Front view shows that it's now a Coldwell Banker. (Photo courtesy of historian / researcher Chriss Lyon) Huge arsenal of weapons including St. Valentine's massacre machineguns found in Burke's Home. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Bill Helmer) Burke bullet mounted in frame. (Mario Gomes collection) Actual bullet taken from Burke's arms cache (Special thanks to Mr. Bill Helmer who made this possible). U.S. Cartridge Co. 17 Poor Mrs. Burke being questioned by Harry Ditchburne(Assitant States attorney Cook County,Illinois,H. Thurman Chief of Detectives Kansas and Assistant States attorney Walter Butler of Cook County.She had no clue who she had married. Burke's boyhood farmhouse in Mapleton Kansas where he grew up.After his mom died he turned to crime. Burke's wife Bonnie Porter.She married Burke in 1930 and only knew him as Richard F. White,a business man that travelled often. Courageous Officer Charles Skelly killed by Burke after he was approched by Skelly for commiting a hit and run. Officer Charles Skelly (Skalay).He was shot and killed by Burke during a traffic violation (hit and run).This was probably done on purpose by Burke who was feeling the pressure of the law and mob closing in on him.This killing prevented him from being extradited to Chicago for the massacre killings which was a death sentence.Instead Burke received life in prison in Marquette for Skelly's murder. Officer Skelly's funeral.The hunt for Burke was on. Officer Skelly laid to rest.Note the name on stone spelled Skalay. A jovial Burke happy to be arrested.He first thought the arresting police where hitmen sent to shut him up. Police with weapons found. Fred Burke died in prison an obese diabetic in 1940. Sheriff Paul Bailey, Lt. Mike Kline and historian Chris Lyon, who is holding one of Fred "Killer" Burke's choppers. This Thompson submachine gun was used at 2122 North Clark street on February 14,1929. To see and read more of Berrien's history in relation to this famous crime, visit the Berrien Sheriff's site at www.bcsheriff.org Click "HISTORY OF BCSD" at left coumn of site. Chriss Lyon's excellent work on the tommy guns and their history can be seen and read also including, Burke,Winkler and some members of the Capone gang. A veritable visual feast for the gangster buff! Some Info and photos taken from True Detective magazine. Other Info taken from Rick Mattix and William J. Helmer's Public Enemies. Special thanks to the Berrian County Sheriff's department and especially historian / researcher Chriss Lyon.