Enter now to win a copy of
Meet the Kellys:
The True Story of Machine Gun Kelly and His Moll Kathryn Thorne
Kathryn Kelly was reclining on an oversize sofa at the Texas home she shared with her husband. It was the fall of 1932. Magazines and newspapers were scattered about the coffee table in front of her and music from a Philco cabinet radio filled the room. She sang along with the tune “Everything I Have Is Yours” by Art Jarrett while circling items of interest found in issues of the Fort Worth Star- Telegram. The story she highlighted in the October 18, 1932, edition of the publication was about the marriage of widow Berenice Slick to widower Charles F. Urschel. Both were reported to be prominent, wealthy oil personalities.
According to the article, the couple planned to leave immediately for an extended tour in Europe, then return to the mansion they purchased in Oklahoma on December 15. The article circled in the October 21, 1932, edition of the newspaper pertained to the appraisal of the estate of Berenice’s late husband, wildcatter Thomas B. Slick. His Oklahoma holdings alone were worth more than six million dollars. Throughout November and December, Kathryn collected every newspaper article she could find on the Urschels. She read about the newlyweds’ time in France and Italy and sailing to New York after their honeymoon. She learned the exact day they were to arrive in the States and the address of their home in Oklahoma City, 326 NW 18th Street, the names of their teenage children and where they attended school, and the bridge club luncheon scheduled to be held at the Urschel home in early December.
The December 15, 1932, edition of the Oklahoma News, featured a story inviting readers to visit the Urschel’s residence to see the beautiful table settings the bride and groom possessed. “I want to suggest to you that you drive by the Charles F. Urschel home at 18th Street and Hudson Avenue some night and take a look at the window of the dining room that faces on Hud son,” the article read. “Mrs. Urschel has a passion for beautiful china and glass and in this window are shelves upon which stand glasses of various sizes, all in the ruby Venetian glass, through which the lamps of the dining room shine warmly out to the street at night and through which the setting sun pours gorgeous hues into the dining room, near the close of day.”
Kathryn discussed the Urschels with her husband George Kelly over the holidays and into the new year and suggested they kidnap Charles. She estimated they could ask for a $250,000 ransom and get it.
Meet the Kellys
I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Please fill out this form and I will get in touch with you if you are the winner.
Join my email news list to enter the giveaway.
"*" indicates required fields
Meet the Kellys
I'm looking forward to hearing from you! Please fill out this form and I will get in touch with you if you are the winner.
Join my email news list to enter the giveaway.
"*" indicates required fields
To learn more about the kidnapping of Charles Urschel read
Meet the Kellys:
The True Story of Machine Gun Kelly and His Moll Kathryn Thorne.
