James "Oklahoma Jack" Clark (1902–1974) was a Depression-era outlaw and bank robber.

Biography

A protégé of bank robber Herman "Baron" Lamm, Clark was a later member of Lamm's team who participated in the gang's final robbery against the Citizens State Bank in

Clinton, Indiana Clinton is a city in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 4,893 at the 2010 census. History The city was established in 1829 and is named for DeWitt Clinton, governor of New York from 1817 to 18 ...

on December 16, 1930. Although initially escaping with $15,567 in cash, Clark was tracked down with the others and trapped by a posse at

Sidell, Illinois Sidell is a village in Sidell Township, Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is part of the Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 617 at the 2010 census. History Both the town and the township of Sidell were ...

, resulting in the death of Lamm and two other members in the following gun battle. Along with fellow survivor Walter Dietrich, Clark was arrested by authorities and extradited to

Indiana Indiana () is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th s ...

for bank robbery charges and sentenced to the state prison at Michigan City, Indiana. During his time in prison, he and Dietrich became acquaintances with future outlaws

John Dillinger John Herbert Dillinger (June 22, 1903 – July 22, 1934) was an American gangster during the Great Depression. He led the Dillinger Gang, which was accused of robbing 24 banks and four police stations. Dillinger was imprisoned several times an ...

Harry Pierpont Harry "Pete" Pierpont (October 13, 1902 – October 17, 1934) was a Prohibition era gangster, convicted murderer and bank robber. He was a friend and mentor to John Dillinger. Described as handsome and soft-spoken, Pierpont was a bright, natural-b ...

, Charles Makley, and

Homer Van Meter Homer Virgil Van Meter (December 3, 1905 – August 23, 1934) 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. Biography Early life Van ...

. One of ten prisoners who escaped from the prison (using pistols smuggled into the prison by a recently paroled Dillinger), Clark was recaptured at Hammond, Indiana after two days and returned to prison where he remained for the rest of his life.

References

Books

*Newton, Michael. Encyclopedia of Robbers, Heists, and Capers. New York: Facts On File Inc., 2002. 1902 births 1974 deaths American bank robbers American escapees American outlaws American people who died in prison custody Escapees from Indiana detention People extradited within the United States Prisoners and detainees of Indiana Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by Indiana Prisoners who died in Indiana detention {{US-crime-bio-stub

Biography

See also

References

Books