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Reason First: Fred Burke and the Tale of the Thug With No Purpose

How did a gangster see his downfall?

By Skyler SaundersPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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Coincidentally, Fred Burke’s birth took place on a farm and he was captured by police on another farm years later. Why did the authorities nab Burke? Firstly, Burke’s brush with the law came in 1910 at the age of 17. Upon reentry into the United States after serving in the Army, police arrested him and the judge sentenced him to a one year bid behind bars.

Thirteen years later, Burke’s gang, the Egan’s Rats, stole from a United Railways office. After a car collision in 1929, farmer George Kool sought dollars for the bent up bumper on his vehicle. Once the police arrived on the scene, Burke ran off like a grizzly scampering into the woods.

Officer Charles Skelly rode on the runner after Burke. This prompted the criminal to shoot back three times, killing Skelly. Burke escaped on the southbound side of Highway 12 where authorities discovered his car. Police then stormed Burke’s domicile and found an arsenal of weapons and bank bonds that had been stolen.

The United States soon declared him as America’s most wanted person and Burke continued his lam status.

But it was the work of an unofficial sleuth that led to the capture and arrest of Burke. A crime story enthusiast reading True Detective Mysteries pointed cops in the right direction and Burke saw arrest.

After being sentenced to life in prison, Burke would die of heart disease behind the wall at the age of 47.

What a waste. Burke’s thirty year commitment to crime ended in such a way that justice had finally been served. Because of his rogue stance and vicious intent, Burke should be viewed as a ruthless murderer who should have found a purpose in his life. Instead of running around in gangs and being a prime suspect in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, he could have returned to his roots and run a successful farm himself. What stopped him? What motivated him to lead a life of crime?

In the three decades of his criminality, Burke also killed three gangsters who laid down his friend in the Milaflores Massacre.

But thanks to a reader, his capture became actualized. This is the power of the press. The ability for writers and journalists to include stories about criminals can lead to arrests and convictions. The pen strikes down those in power and the lowest scum of the earth.

Some might argue that his disgusting lifestyle contributed to his heart disease. Maybe it was his poor health and diet. But it really was his corroded soul. His disturbing actions stemmed from a mind not fully formed into a man. He was a scared, overgrown adolescent who could not fend against the real word. He emoted. He felt that he could go around and take out lives whether they be thugs or police officers.

Burke took it upon himself to run afoul of the law. He took his place as a criminal to new lows. By being one of America’s most wanted probably emboldened him. But in reality he lived in panic of being discovered throughout his life leading up to his arrest, conviction, and sentence.

By looking at the Burke situation, one can understand that the way of the gun should be placed in the hands of law enforcement and those individuals who wish to protect themselves under the umbrella of self-defense. Evildoers like Burke ought to have been stripped of any kinds of weaponry in the beginning. The fact that he saw time in prison is the justice that should have always been present in this case.

Burke must be remembered for his illicit behavior and how low he stooped in life.

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About the Creator

Skyler Saunders

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