Vanessa Richardson

They'd been married just three years. But in that time, George had gone from an unknown bootlegger to a near legendary bank robber. Of course, this was entirely thanks to Catherine. His nickname and accompanying mystique were her inventions. She proudly claimed that George was a sharpshooter so skilled he could write his own name with the Tommy gun.

They'd been married just three years. But in that time, George had gone from an unknown bootlegger to a near legendary bank robber. Of course, this was entirely thanks to Catherine. His nickname and accompanying mystique were her inventions. She proudly claimed that George was a sharpshooter so skilled he could write his own name with the Tommy gun.

Naturally, everyone in the criminal underworld wanted to bring him along on their jobs. But as much as a hard reputation helped the Kellys line their pockets, it had its drawbacks. By 1933, the FBI had heard about Machine Gun Kelly, and he'd found a place on their watch lists. But Catherine was oblivious to this development. She was too wrapped up, planning another daring spree.

Naturally, everyone in the criminal underworld wanted to bring him along on their jobs. But as much as a hard reputation helped the Kellys line their pockets, it had its drawbacks. By 1933, the FBI had heard about Machine Gun Kelly, and he'd found a place on their watch lists. But Catherine was oblivious to this development. She was too wrapped up, planning another daring spree.

After a few failed kidnapping attempts, Catherine had developed something of a system. She studied the society papers for the names and whereabouts of America's richest tycoons and magnates, people with more money than they'd ever know what to do with. It was within those pages that she learned of the marriage of 43-year-old Charles Urschel to Bernice Slick.

After a few failed kidnapping attempts, Catherine had developed something of a system. She studied the society papers for the names and whereabouts of America's richest tycoons and magnates, people with more money than they'd ever know what to do with. It was within those pages that she learned of the marriage of 43-year-old Charles Urschel to Bernice Slick.

Charles was an oilman from Oklahoma who had amassed a fortune of his own, and his new bride was also flush with cash. She was the widow of Tom Slick, another oil baron who'd left behind an astounding fortune. The Associated Press estimated that between them, Charles and Bernice were worth about $75 and $100 million back then. Adjusted for inflation, that would be in excess of $1.5 billion today.

Charles was an oilman from Oklahoma who had amassed a fortune of his own, and his new bride was also flush with cash. She was the widow of Tom Slick, another oil baron who'd left behind an astounding fortune. The Associated Press estimated that between them, Charles and Bernice were worth about $75 and $100 million back then. Adjusted for inflation, that would be in excess of $1.5 billion today.

The number had Catherine practically salivating, and the Urschels sprang to the top of her list of marks. But while she prepared for the big score, the rules of the game began shifting. That June, Congress passed the Federal Kidnapping Act. It gave 36-year-old FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and his team of agents unprecedented authority over kidnapping cases.

The number had Catherine practically salivating, and the Urschels sprang to the top of her list of marks. But while she prepared for the big score, the rules of the game began shifting. That June, Congress passed the Federal Kidnapping Act. It gave 36-year-old FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover and his team of agents unprecedented authority over kidnapping cases.

Not only that, they could chase offenders over state lines. Unfortunately, local police departments weren't keen on handing over the reins to the new organization. As a result, the first wave of FBI-led cases ended disastrously. To cut out the uncooperative middlemen, Hoover created the first crime hotline for tips and information.

Not only that, they could chase offenders over state lines. Unfortunately, local police departments weren't keen on handing over the reins to the new organization. As a result, the first wave of FBI-led cases ended disastrously. To cut out the uncooperative middlemen, Hoover created the first crime hotline for tips and information.

That meant anyone who needed help could dial in and instantly have the ear of the FBI. Hoover was so serious about cracking down on the snatch racket that he even had a line installed at his private residence so that he'd never miss a report. Needless to say, the odds of completing a successful kidnapping seemed to be diminishing by the day. And yet, the Kellys weren't phased.

That meant anyone who needed help could dial in and instantly have the ear of the FBI. Hoover was so serious about cracking down on the snatch racket that he even had a line installed at his private residence so that he'd never miss a report. Needless to say, the odds of completing a successful kidnapping seemed to be diminishing by the day. And yet, the Kellys weren't phased.

On the night of July 22nd, Catherine sent George to nab their prey. Al Bates, an old bank robbing buddy of theirs, went along as backup. Around 11.30 p.m., the men rolled up to the Urschel estate in a Chevy, likely expecting everyone to be in bed. Instead, they found the Urschels were wide awake, drinking and playing a game of cards with another couple.

On the night of July 22nd, Catherine sent George to nab their prey. Al Bates, an old bank robbing buddy of theirs, went along as backup. Around 11.30 p.m., the men rolled up to the Urschel estate in a Chevy, likely expecting everyone to be in bed. Instead, they found the Urschels were wide awake, drinking and playing a game of cards with another couple.

The foursome were out on their screened-in back porch, with the doors flung wide to dispel the late summer heat. What's more, Charles had recently fired his bodyguard. There was literally nothing standing in the bandits' way. So, armed with his namesake, Machine Gun Kelly burst into the home, with Al close behind.

The foursome were out on their screened-in back porch, with the doors flung wide to dispel the late summer heat. What's more, Charles had recently fired his bodyguard. There was literally nothing standing in the bandits' way. So, armed with his namesake, Machine Gun Kelly burst into the home, with Al close behind.

Bernice screamed until George pointed the Tommy gun in her direction and ordered her to shut up. Once she fell silent, he looked the two men over and asked which one of them was Charles Urschel. When neither answered, George grew annoyed and threatened they'd have to take them both. Still, neither man responded, so George and Al gathered up the men and pushed them towards the door.

Bernice screamed until George pointed the Tommy gun in her direction and ordered her to shut up. Once she fell silent, he looked the two men over and asked which one of them was Charles Urschel. When neither answered, George grew annoyed and threatened they'd have to take them both. Still, neither man responded, so George and Al gathered up the men and pushed them towards the door.