SAC Ralph Colvin, Oklahoma, was a large, burly guy involved in some of the Bureau's high priority cases in the 30's. You don't hear much about him anymore.
(Colvin himself is depicted in a photo with the likes of "Jelly" Bryce, Clarence Hurt and others, and this photo appears on the front page of our website. Colvin is the big guy, far left with machine gun, kneeling next to a young "Jelly" Bryce.") This photo was taken immediately after the shootout with Wilbur Underhill in Dec. 1933.
The FBI's Kansas City Massacre file reveals a letter in June, 1933 from Colvin to Hoover requesting, among other things, more guns for his men, after the massacre. With no steno avail, you can only picture SAC Colvin sitting in some remote office on an old Remington using the "hunt and peck" method of typing to get his message out. Deer hunters will appreciate his use of the word "buck-ague" and most will appreciate the simple realism expressed.
I think most of all, the letter reveals the close relationship that many 1930's SAC's had with Director Hoover.
One interesting thing in all of this, and other examples in Bureau lore, is that the depiction of Colvin and others with all types of weapons, his request for the same, all comes way before the May/June, 1934 Crime Bill giving Agents the authority to carry weapons.
You can read/download/save Colvin's letter to Hoover and the Director's reply. Click here.