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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ma Barker: Infamous Missouri-born crime matriarch
(KODE & KSN) — Ash Grove, Missouri was the birthplace of the person J. Edgar Hoover once called 'one of the most vicious, dangerous, and resourceful criminal minds of the last century'. If you're not familiar with the name Ma Barker, upon hearing it, you may be met with mental images of an 'old-time', matronly woman in an apron, standing by a linoleum countertop, plate of buttermilk biscuits in hand, with a mild, yet warm smile on her face. Decades of pop culture conditioning from art and commercialism often paint this stereotype of southern women of a certain timeframe, and while some say there was some truth to it in the case of Ma Barker, many have said Ma Barker was anything but the case. Some say the true image of crime matriarch Ma Barker is one that mirrors Bonnie Parker (of Bonnie and Clyde): Tommy guns, car chases, robberies, kidnappings, and a penchant for defying authority to the end, and instilled this nature on her many sons – men born and raised to live the lifestyle she relished – and one that helped Barker carryout her antics. So, which picture most accurately represents the truth of Ma Barker's life? Historians say the truth is likely somewhere in the middle. Records indicate 'Ma' Barker was born in 1873 to John and Emaline Clark in Ash Grove, Missouri. According to Britannica, her name at birth was Arizona Donnie Clark, but she'd later be known as Kate Barker, after marrying George Barker when she was 19, giving birth to four sons in the marriage: future criminals Herman (1893-1927), Lloyd (1897-1949), Arthur (1899-1939), and Fred (1901-1935). The oldest of which was just 52 years of age. Historians say the Barker family was against conventional education and that most of them were 'more or less illiterate', but the family had common sense and was resourceful: some of Barker's sons were committing their crimes before even having reached adolescence. The first known arrest came in 1910, when Herman Barker was arrested and charged after running over a child with a getaway car during a highway robbery. Over the course of the 1910s and 1920s, the brothers would commit increasingly worse crimes from simple robberies to organized crime with the Central Park Gang. The first family tragedy came in 1927 when eldest son Herman Barker took his own life to avoid being caught by authorities. They say he was being pursued after shooting a policeman in the mouth during a robbery. During this time, the Barker marriage would fall apart as Ma Barker is described to have become 'loose with local men' and her wild antics in public were said to have alienated her tamer husband. More trouble came for the family in 1931, when they were forced to flee Missouri after the sons killed Sheriff C. Roy Kelly in West Plains, Missouri. The family relocated to areas in Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, with Ma Barker sometimes being hidden in hotel rooms away from her sons due to her penchant for attempting to scare off their girlfriends. In 1935, authorities successfully arrested Arthur Barker in Chicago, and from his possessions, were able to obtain the knowledge that Ma Barker and her youngest son Fred, along with other gangmembers were hiding out in Florida. According to the Florida Sheriff's Association, when authorities surrounded the house, reports indicate they were not aware the two Barkers were the only occupants. A gunfight broke out, lasting several hours, so long that historians say locals brought picnic lunches to watch the events transpire. The gunfight ended when Fred Barker was shot multiple times and Ma Barker was taken down with a single gunshot. Her body was allegedly found gripping a Tommy gun, her final moment a symbol of her legacy of crime in the 'public enemy era', though other reports say it was simply lying near her body. The question is, how much was Ma Barker actually involved in gang activity and her children's crimes? The answer you get will vary depending on the source. As previously mentioned, officials like famed FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover once called Ma Barker a 'criminal mastermind', while some historians, as well as the testimonies of the sons that survived her and fellow gang members, indicate Ma Barker was less involved in the crimes and more of a supporting figure. It is known that Ma Barker never killed anyone herself and was often not present for the actual crimes that her sons committed. While Hollywood adaptations of the Barker family story like 'Ma Barker's Killer Brood' (1960) and 'Bloody Mama' (1970) depict Barker as a brutal, bloodthirsty criminal, smugly blasting a tommy gun with a defiant glare, it is more likely, according to historians, that these adaptations were mostly, if not entirely fictional, and some may go as far to say that Barker was painted as a figurehead by the FBI at the time to publicly justify her killing, but this is disputed. The whole truth of the Ma Barker story will probably never be truly known, but it is always true that Kate 'Ma' Barker is one infamous Missourian that will always be remembered as a woman who paid no mind to conforming to authority, and lived a wild, adventure filled life of crime in an era when such lifestyle was mainly associated with men. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MO State Rep from Neosho accepts Trump appointment
(KSNF/KODE) — Missouri State Representative, Ben Baker has accepted an appointment by President, Donald Trump. Baker — who serves as a member of the Missouri House of Representatives from the 160th district — announced his appointment late Friday (5/1) by Trump, to be Director of Missouri Rural Development for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). In a post on his Facebook page, Baker said, 'This is such an honor to serve my state and help Make America Great Again!' The official announcement Friday came from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins. In the USDA news release, Baker is said to be, 'living a life grounded in faith, family, and a relentless drive to serve his community.' 'When America's farming communities prosper, the entire nation thrives. This new group of USDA appointees will ensure President Trump's America First agenda is a reality in rural areas across the country. I am grateful for the leadership of these new state directors and look forward to their work reorienting the agency to put Farmers First again,' said Secretary Rollins. According to the USDA, the new slate of Rural Development State Directors will help affirm the mission of the Trump Administration by focusing on finding ways to empower rural America and unleash economic prosperity. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hank Rotten Jr. memorial plans announced
KSNF/KODE — Memorial services are scheduled to remember the life – and legacy – of Hank Rotten, Jr. Four State legend Hank Rotten Jr. passes away Services are scheduled for Saturday, May 10 at 3 p.m. at Cycle Connection in Joplin. Also, the Hank Rotten Memorial Ride is scheduled for June 14. He was born Tom Perry on July 23, 1951 and grew up in Carterville. Hank was a life-long Four State resident, who had a love for Webb City High School football. He had a career in music, radio and TV that stretched decades. Hank became a beloved member of the KSN and KODE family in the 90s, starting with his show Friday Night at the Movies and then a co-host on Local News Today. He passed away on Sunday, April 20 after complications from a stroke. You can read Hank's obituary here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Prevent accidents and fines: Call 811 for safe digging
(KSNF & KODE) — Three simple numbers are what officials with Spire want residents to keep in mind right now. 811 is the number to call if you're planning to dig on or around your property. Joplin man pleads guilty to child sex crime, requests lighter sentence Joplin's old Freeman Hospital set for demolition; How much will it cost? Jasper County officials discuss Joplin road district finances Racist flyers hit Miami neighborhoods KSN's Jessica Schaer welcomes baby Colter on Good Friday This month is National Safe Digging Month, and one call can help prevent accidents involving utility infrastructure. Accidents that can result in a hit to your wallet—be it fines or property damages. It's also about keeping homeowners safe. You put a shovel in the ground, maybe you put it in the electric line, maybe you put it in the gas line. Gas leaks then and then it has-maybe it ignites somewhere, and that's a big risk. And that's what we never want to happen…listen, any time you put a shovel in the ground you need to call 811 and get locates for your property,' said Mike Fornelli, Spire Regional Mgr. – SW territory. Mike Fornelli says this is something folks need to remember throughout the are advised to call 811 a few days before they plan to start a project. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Where do Kansans get their water?
(KSNF & KODE) — The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) has released information to help Kansas residents know where their water comes from in honor of Earth Week. 'Bring Them Home' rally demands due process for deportees Kansas daycare workers plead guilty to infant abuse charges Investigation in southeast Kansas city after body found on city property Pittsburg hosts Spring Artwalk, celebrates area artists Pittsburg approves higher recoverable costs for Creekside Villas In a Facebook post Monday, representatives from the KGS broke down each and every individual county and what percentages of their water came from surface water versus groundwater sources. Officials say the difference in where Kansans get their water is often dependent on which side of the state they live in, highlighting the fact that eastern Kansas is known to get twice the amount of rain than the western side of the state, which usually gets less than 20 inches a year. Eastern Kansas is also known to be home to robust rivers and lakes helping to hydrate communities, while western Kansas has access to prominent aquifers, leading to most of their local water supply coming from underground. Click here for more information about the Kansas Geological Survey. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
