Arthur "Doc" Barker (suspect in Edward Bremer kidnapping) and jailer, William Gates

Arthur "Doc" Barker (suspect in Edward Bremer kidnapping) and jailer, William Gates, 1935. Photograph by the St. Paul Daily News.

Ma Barker (Mrs. Arrie Barker, also known as Mrs. George Anderson)

"Ma" Barker, reported member of the Barker-Karpis gang, 1931. Photograph by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

William Hamm Jr. talking with reporters upon his return

William Hamm Jr. talking with reporters after his safe return from kidnapping, 1933.

Black and white photograph of Daniel Hogan (far left) and family, c.1926. Hogan was was instrumental in the operation of the O'Connor system.

"Dapper" Dan Hogan (left), owner of the Green Lantern Saloon in St. Paul at Big Bass Lake near Bemidji

Daniel Hogan (far left) and family, c.1926. Hogan was instrumental in the operation of the O'Connor layover system.

Black and white photo print of gangster Alvin Karpis, c. 1925.

Alvin Karpis

Gangster Alvin Karpis, c.1925. Photograph by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Black and white photograph of downtown St. Paul at the intersection of Eighth and Robert Streets, c.1932.

Intersection at Eighth and Robert looking down Eighth, St. Paul

Downtown St. Paul at the intersection of Eighth and Robert Streets, c.1932.

Black and white photograph of John O'Connor during the height of his power in St. Paul, c.1912.

John O'Connor, Chief of St. Paul Police

John O'Connor during the height of his power in St. Paul, c.1912.

O'Connor Layover Agreement

The O'Connor layover agreement was instituted by John O'Connor shortly after his promotion from St. Paul detective to chief of police on June 11, 1900. It allowed criminals to stay in the city under three conditions: that they checked in with police upon their arrival; agreed to pay bribes to city officials; and committed no major crimes in the city of St. Paul. This arrangement lasted for almost forty years, ending when rampant corruption forced crusading local citizens and the federal government to step in.

Color image of the plaque marking the location of St. Paul's Central Park, now the site of a parking lot at 54 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Central Park plaque

The plaque marking the location of St. Paul's Central Park, now the site of a parking lot at 54 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 2014. Photograph by Paul Nelson.

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