Edna Murray
Encyclopedia
Edna "Rabbits" Murray was a Depression-era outlaw and partner of Volney Davis
during the early 1930s. Although popularly known to the press as the "Kissing Bandit" for her habit of kissing male robbery victims, she was known in the underworld as "Rabbits" for her skill as an escape artist.
Her sister Doris O'Connor (or Vinta Stanley) lived with outlaw Jess Doyle
, a member of the Barker Gang.
On October 1, 1925 Edna, now married to Jack Murray was sentenced along with him to 25 years for a Kansas City, Missouri holdup. It was this crime that earned Edna the nickname "the Kissing Bandit." On May 2, 1927, Edna escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary and remained free until arrested in Chicago on September 10, 1931. She made a one-day escape from prison on November 4, 1931, and then a third escape on December 13, 1932.
Rejoining Davis, the two continued their crime spree and later settled down in Aurora, Illinois
.
On April 23, 1934, outlaws John Dillinger
, Homer Van Meter
and John "Red" Hamilton
arrived at Murray's home seeking refuge after being ambushed by federal agents and police at their hideout near Rhinelander, Wisconsin
. Hamilton, having been badly wounded during the shootout, had been denied treatment by Chicago mob doctor Joseph Moran and died of his injuries several days after arriving at their Aurora home. Murray and Davis were later present during his secret funeral, in which he was buried in an unmarked grave.
On January 22, 1935, Murray was indicted along with several members of the Barker gang for a conspiracy to kidnap wealthy Minnesota banker Edward Bremer and ransom him for $200,000 in January 1934. Fleeing the state, she was apprehended in Wichita, Kansas
while traveling with Jess Doyle on February 7, 1935, coincidentally the same day Volney Davis escaped from prison.
Murray's brother, Harry C. Stanley, was subsequently arrested for aiding and abetting Murray in early 1935, was fined $1,000 and sentenced to six months imprisonment at the Sedgewick County Jail on March 12, 1935.
Murray was convicted with several others in the kidnapping conspiracy and sentenced to federal prison on May 6, 1935, eventually leading FBI agents to Hamilton's grave outside Aurora, Illinois three months later. She was paroled from the Women's Prison at Jefferson City, Missouri on December 20, 1940 .
Volney Davis
Volney Curley Davis was an American bank robber and Depression-era outlaw. A longtime Oklahoma bandit, he was the boyfriend of Edna Murray and an associate of both the John Dillinger and Alvin Karpis-Barker gangs during the 1930s.-Biography:Born in Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma, Volney Davis's...
during the early 1930s. Although popularly known to the press as the "Kissing Bandit" for her habit of kissing male robbery victims, she was known in the underworld as "Rabbits" for her skill as an escape artist.
Her sister Doris O'Connor (or Vinta Stanley) lived with outlaw Jess Doyle
Jess Doyle
Jesse Herbert Doyle was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched in four major league seasons, through for the Detroit Tigers, and for the St. Louis Browns.-Sources:...
, a member of the Barker Gang.
Life of crime
Murray and her lover, Volney Davis, robbed a series of banks before he was arrested and sentenced to life in prison.On October 1, 1925 Edna, now married to Jack Murray was sentenced along with him to 25 years for a Kansas City, Missouri holdup. It was this crime that earned Edna the nickname "the Kissing Bandit." On May 2, 1927, Edna escaped from Missouri State Penitentiary and remained free until arrested in Chicago on September 10, 1931. She made a one-day escape from prison on November 4, 1931, and then a third escape on December 13, 1932.
Rejoining Davis, the two continued their crime spree and later settled down in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
.
On April 23, 1934, outlaws John Dillinger
John Dillinger
John Herbert Dillinger, Jr. was an American bank robber in Depression-era United States. He was charged with, but never convicted of, the murder of an East Chicago, Indiana police officer during a shoot-out. This was his only alleged homicide. His gang robbed two dozen banks and four police stations...
, Homer Van Meter
Homer Van Meter
Homer "Wayne" Van Meter was an American criminal and bank robber active in the early 20th century, most notably as a criminal associate of John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson.-Early life:...
and John "Red" Hamilton
John Hamilton (gangster)
John "Red" Hamilton was a Canadian criminal and bank robber active in the early 20th century, most notably as a criminal associate of John Dillinger.-Prison break:...
arrived at Murray's home seeking refuge after being ambushed by federal agents and police at their hideout near Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Rhinelander, Wisconsin
Rhinelander is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, Wisconsin, United States. Its population was 7,735 at the 2000 census.-Claim to fame:...
. Hamilton, having been badly wounded during the shootout, had been denied treatment by Chicago mob doctor Joseph Moran and died of his injuries several days after arriving at their Aurora home. Murray and Davis were later present during his secret funeral, in which he was buried in an unmarked grave.
On January 22, 1935, Murray was indicted along with several members of the Barker gang for a conspiracy to kidnap wealthy Minnesota banker Edward Bremer and ransom him for $200,000 in January 1934. Fleeing the state, she was apprehended in Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
while traveling with Jess Doyle on February 7, 1935, coincidentally the same day Volney Davis escaped from prison.
Murray's brother, Harry C. Stanley, was subsequently arrested for aiding and abetting Murray in early 1935, was fined $1,000 and sentenced to six months imprisonment at the Sedgewick County Jail on March 12, 1935.
Murray was convicted with several others in the kidnapping conspiracy and sentenced to federal prison on May 6, 1935, eventually leading FBI agents to Hamilton's grave outside Aurora, Illinois three months later. She was paroled from the Women's Prison at Jefferson City, Missouri on December 20, 1940 .