Evening star., 1936-04-18
Illinois Postmaster Among
Alleged Karpis Barker
Gangsters Held for Plot
Against St. Paul Brewer.
"MORE ARRESTS S0ON"
ARE HINTED BY HOOVER
New Roundup by G-Men Leaves
Only Leader of Abductcts Still
at Large 100000 Ransom
Collected Before Release of
Wealthy Prisoner in 1888.

Capture of three additional
members of the notorious KarpiS-
Barker gang and final solution
of the kidnapping of William A.
Hamm, jr., wealthy St. Paul
brewer, was announced today by
J. Edgar Hoover, director of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The arrests announced today were
those of Edmond c. Bartholomey, post
master of Bensenville, ILL.,, in whose
home Hoover said Hamm was con-
cealed; John P. Peifer, alias Jack
PfeIffer. and Charles ]. Fitzgerald.
This latest roundup by the Federal
agents leaves only Alvin Karpis, leader
of the gang and so-called public en-
emy No. l." still at large.
"More Arrests Soon"
Hoover said there may be more ar
rests soon" The three now under ar
rest. he said were charged in secret
warrants issued last Saturday.
Hoover said Fitzgerald was arrested
In Los Angeles, Peifer in st. Paul and
Bartholmey in BenSenville.
Bartholmey, who is 40, was named
acting postmaster at Bensenville on
April /. 1885. The appointment had
not been made permanent, postal Of
ficials said.
Bensenville is rated as third-class
post Office with an annual salary OF
$2,l00
Among Highest Candidates.
The department said Bartholmey
had been among the three highest can
didates for the place sccording to rat
ings of the Civil Service Commission.
What political backing Bartholmey
had for the appointment was not
made known. The department said
Bensenville was in Dupage County,
which had been Republican district
in the last election.
Spokesman at the department ex-
pressed surprise at the arrest an
nouncement. They said they had not
been informed of 1t by the Justice
Department
karpis, hunted by the Federal men
since the kidnapping June IS, 1888,
shot his way out of an Atlantic City
hotel when surprised by police of that
city more than a year ago, and re-
Gently escaped just before G-men
raided his hideout near Hot Springs,
Ark
Three Others in Prison.
Three other members of the gang
are now serving sentences in connec-
tion with the 100000 kidnapping of
Edward G. Bremen, st. Paul bank
president. These are Arthur DOC"
Barker, serving a life stence in Al
Catraz Prison; Byron Bolton, serving
time in st. Paul, and Elmer Farmer.
under a 20-year sentence in Leaven-
worth Penitentiary
Fred Barker, another leader of the
gang. and his mother, MA" Barker,
said to have been the brains of the
kidnapers, were shot to death in Flor
ida more than a year ago when the
pair opened fire with machine guns on
approaching agents.
E1CA ZGlSlcI1 1UGIZ,
killed, also was named as one of
Hamm's kidnapers.
Hoover announced that Hamm was
kidnapped by two men shortly after
he left the Office of his brewery to go
to lunch.
100000 Ransom Paid.
HE was taken TO a hideolIt. where
he was held until June 10, 1888, when
he was released at point near Wyo-
ming, Mimi, after payment of $100, 900
ransom by an Intermediary designated
by the victim.
Investigation by special agents dis
closed the two men accoSted the
brewer and asked if he were Hamm.
Upon receiving an affirmative answer,
Mr.. Hamms right hand was gripped
and he was forced into an automobile
parked at the curb
eat approximately 2:30 pm. the
same day William w. Dunn, an Off
cial OF the Hamm Brewing Co., re-
ceived an anonymous telephone call
stating we have Mr.. Hamm' Mr..
Dunn was instructed to prepare a.
ransom of 100000 in IS, $40 and
$40 bills, and was advised instruc-
tions for delivery of the money would
be given later.
"On June 16 taxicab appeared
at Mr.. Dunn's residence and the
driver delivered a letter containing
further instructions as to preparation
Of the ransom money. Later the same
day Mr.. Dunn received a second note
threatening to increase the ransom
to $150,000 unless immediate COM
pliance with demands was forth
(See KIDNAP, Page g.