Ocklawaha, Florida
Ocklawaha, Florida | |
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UTC-4 (EDT) | |
ZIP Codes | 32179, 32183 |
Area code | 352 |
FIPS code | 12-51050 |
GNIS feature ID | 2805183[2] |
Ocklawaha (also spelled Oklawaha) is an
History
A post office was established at Ocklawaha in 1884.[4] The area has its own postal district (32179)[5] and post office.[6] The community took its name from the nearby Ocklawaha River.[7]
The Shootout
In 1935, Ocklawaha was the scene of a shootout between federal agents and
FBI agents discovered the hideout of the
Agents surrounded the house at what is now 13250 East Highway C-25 on the morning of January 16, 1935. The FBI were not aware that Alvin Karpis and other gang members had left three days before, leaving only Fred and Ma in the house. The agents ordered them to surrender, but Fred Barker (and possibly "Ma" Barker) opened fire at 7 A.M.; both he and his mother were killed by federal agents after an intense shootout lasted for four-and-a-half hours. During the shootout, Fred almost killed FBI Special Agent James Campbell "Doc" White (who was taking cover behind a tree)—at the same time, Special Agent in Charge Earl "E.J." Connelley shot and wounded Fred in the neck. Allegedly, many local people came to watch the events unfolding, even holding picnics during the gunfire.[10] Gunfire from the house finally stopped at 11:30 A.M., and the FBI ordered local estate handyman Willie Woodbury to enter the house wearing a bulletproof vest. Woodbury reported that there was no one inside alive. It was believed that Fred and Ma were killed by heavy gunfire while FBI Agents McDade and Muzzey fired tear gas.[citation needed]
It remains unknown whether Ma Barker fired a gun during the shootout—or if Ma Barker was directly involved with any criminal activity. She certainly knew that her sons were criminals.
Both bodies were found in the same front bedroom. Fred was killed after being shot 14 times; including three times in the head. Ma appeared to have died from a single bullet wound in the skull.
The FBI agents who were involved in the shootout were:
- 15-year-veteran Special Agent in Charge Earl "E.J." Connelley (a US Army veteran; who served in World War I)
- 11-year-veteran Special Agent James Campbell “Doc” White (who was a Texas Ranger for 18 years)
- five-year-veteran Special Agent John Madala
- five-year-veteran Special Agent Ralph D. Brown (who served as a pilot for United States Marines Corpsfrom 1925 until 1930)
- five-year-veteran Special Agent Samuel K. McKee, Jr. (who was involved in the death of Pretty Boy Floyd)
- three-year-veteran Special Agent Daniel P. Sullivan
- eight-month-rookie Agent Battle of Barrington. In 1942, he joined the United States Army (Bronze Star) and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.)
- eight-month-rookie Agent Alexander A. Muzzey
- eight-month-rookie Agent Charles Gerald "Jerry" Campbell (who served with Oklahoma City Police Department for five years)
- eight-month-rookie Agent Grier Cornelius Woltz
- Special Agent Charles Winstead (who was the agent thought to have fired the bullet outside the Biograph Theater that killed John Dillinger)
- Special Agent Richard L. Jones
- Special Agent Thomas Melvin
- Special Agent Joseph Thomas McLaughlin
Geography
Ocklawaha is located in southeastern Marion County at 29°02′33″N 81°55′46″W / 29.0425°N 81.9294°W (29.0425, -81.9294),[14] on the north shore of Lake Weir. It is bordered to the east by Silver Springs Shores East. Ocala, the Marion county seat, is 18 miles (29 km) to the northwest, and Leesburg is the same distance to the south.
According to the
See also
References
- ^ "2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Florida". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ a b "Ocklawaha Census Designated Place". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
- ^ a b "P1. Race – Ocklawaha CDP, Florida: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
- ^ "Notification Service | Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved May 18, 2020.
- ^ "Detail". M.usps.com. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
- Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. p. 63. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
- Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. pp. 8A. Retrieved May 30, 2015.
- ^ "Bremer Kidnapping Part 75" (PDF).
- Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. Archived from the originalon February 18, 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
- ^ a b Stuart B McIver, Touched by the Sun, Pineapple Press, 2008, pp.71ff.
- ^ Burrough, Bryan (2004). Public Enemies: America's Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-1934. Penguin Press, New York, p.508-509;
- ^ Jack Powell, Haunting Sunshine, Pineapple Press Inc, 2001, p.54.
- ^ 36°52′51″N 95°00′14″W / 36.880831°N 95.004009°W
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
External links
Media related to Ocklawaha, Florida at Wikimedia Commons