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SEEKING THE HISTORY

(21st S&S Lecture)

BY

SIG

While doing some research on the history of Colt Thompsons having served on the Side of Law and Order in

Michigan, an intriguing find was made. It was discovered, that the Jackson County Sheriff (JCS) in Michigan,

arrested a Richard Burke in late 1930. There was not much information other than the arrest and that Richard Burke

was arrested with a Thompson submachine gun, among other things. The Thompson submachine gun was noted as

being without a serial number, a clear intention on someones part to avoid discovery. Immediately, those with some

familiarity to the Saint Valentines Day Massacre (SVDM) might try to connect the name Fred Burke and justifiably

wonder what if any relationship there might be to the Richard Burke.

Many questions were now begging to be answered. Who was Richard Burke? Was there any connection to Fred

Burke of SVDM fame? Why was Richard Burke arrested? How did he get a Colt Thompson? More importantly

where was this Colt Thompson now and if found could we determine the original serial number?

The research described below ultimately not only located this Colt Thompsons serial number, but provides an

extremely rich insight into the history of the criminal side of what is probably the most infamous of all American

firearms.

Step number one was to solicit the support of Mike Wank who resides in Michigan. He in turn requested the efforts

of a friend Melissa Mercer-Tachick, who knows her way around a library. Starting with the lead on the name Richard

Burke and the time late in 1930, an effort was begun to uncover the answers.

Further research found a photo of Richard Burke on the front page, of The Jackson Citizen Patriot, published

December 26, 1930. Richard Burke had been arrested in the early morning hours of December 24, 1930 after crashing

his large Studebaker sedan into trees on Highway US-127, four miles north of Jackson, Michigan. Richard Burke

threatened a tow truck driver who was called to the scene, and the tow truck driver summoned the Jackson County

Sheriff Department.

Richard Burke apparently was drunk at the time of the crash. After his arrest at gunpoint Richard Burke attempted

to bribe the Deputy Sheriffs to no avail. He was believed to be a gangster and skilled

safe cracksman.

In his car was found numerous safe cracking and burglar tools including nitroglyc-

erine fuses. On his person were 2 loaded .38 caliber Colt special revolvers strapped

in shoulder holsters.

Other items found included a Deputy Sheriff Badge from an officer that had been

shot from St. Joseph County in Indiana, a Private Investigator badge, and hand-

cuffs. Most interesting was the Thompson submachine gun with the serial numbers

ground off, a drum magazine, stick magazine and ammunition for it.

Richard Burke, first identified himself with an alias Richard Burns. Further

investigation proved that he was Richard Burke. His criminal record started in

1917, in California; he had two prior felonies and had served in prison several times.

There was interest in Richard Burke by authorities from Detroit, Toledo, Chicago,

RICHARD BURKE