George Machine Gun Kelly was born as George Barnes on July 17, 1900, in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up in the rough streets of the city, he quickly became involved in a life of crime. By the time he was a teenager, he was already running with a dangerous crowd and committing petty crimes to survive.
During the Prohibition era, George Barnes adopted the alias of George R. Kelly in an attempt to evade law enforcement. He became a notorious gangster known for his violent tendencies and ruthless tactics. He gained widespread notoriety for his involvement in organized crime and bootlegging operations.
One of George Machine Gun Kelly's most infamous crimes was the kidnapping of wealthy oil executive Charles F. Urschel. Alongside his gang, he orchestrated the abduction and held Urschel for ransom. The gang demanded a hefty sum of $200,000 for Urschel's safe return.
Despite his criminal activities, George Machine Gun Kelly found love in Kathryn Thorne. Thorne, who became his underworld publicist of sorts, stood by Kelly's side through thick and thin. Their relationship added a layer of complexity to Kelly's public persona, painting him as a family man despite his criminal exploits.
American folk singer James Taylor immortalized George Machine Gun Kelly in a song, capturing the gangster's violent legacy in music. The song served as a reminder of Kelly's brutal crimes and his lasting impact on American history.
George Machine Gun Kelly's reign of terror came to an end when he was apprehended by law enforcement. He was sentenced to prison, where he spent the remainder of his days reflecting on his criminal past. Despite his notoriety, Kelly's legacy as a ruthless gangster lives on in the annals of American crime history.