William "Bill" Edward Kirk: Burglary & Escape

William "Bill" Edward Kirk was born 23 May 1904 in Kansas, to Leland Hamilton Kirk (1858-1944) and Mary SUsan Boggs (1874-1943).


Inmate: #24645 Oklahoma State Prison
Rec: 10 Oct 1931
Crime: Robbery
Term: 35 years
Age: 28


 

The below article is from 1948


His life of crime started when he was 13 years old. His parents divorced, his father was in prison and jail. His mother married Charles Knowles had more children and he was in jail in 1900 in New Jersey, she divorces him.

I found several marriage records for Bill but I am certain one of his wives was Katie Cotton married 4 June 1926 in Tulsa OK. Here are the others I found.

Spouse married 8 Dec 1927 in Craig, OK
Leona Mae Wilson (1909–2000)

Spouse married 19 Dec 1929 in OK
Gladip Rich (1909–1997)

I didn't find any children.

His record states that 12 Nov 1948 he was in Texas. I didn't find that record or article on it. The records also states he escaped from Missouri STate Prison 2 May 1945. He was also #18804 Inmate at Kansas State Prison. I found one tree on Ancestry with him in it. I made him a tree and added everything to it.

I would suppose that was a hard life being in and out of prison, but the hardest part would be hiding from the law after escaping.

I tried to find earlier newspaper articles of his crimes as a kid and young adult but I didn't. Interesting life of crime.

Bill died 2 Sep 1961 in Los Angeles, CA



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