The legendary story is well known.
During the arrest of gangster Alvin Karpis in New Orleans, the Director, Clyde Tolson and others were present including an unheard of FBI Agent named W. L. "Buck" Buchanan. The Agents upon the arrest of Karpis immediately realized one problem. None of them had brought handcuffs, probably assuming "the other guy will."
The story goes that a necktie was used to bind Karpis and many writers and researchers have today attributed that necktie to another famous Agent present.....SA Clarence Hurt.
Well, we now know that's not the case.
In 2008, the son of SA Buchanan, above, contacted us where he's an accomplished dental surgeon in Austin, Texas upon seeing our website. Accordingly, the son, "Buck" Buchanan related to us that in fact, it was his dad's tie (as told to him by his father) that was used to bind Karpis and he supplied two letters between his dad and J. Edgar Hoover dated in 1940 that pretty much substantiates that. As you'll see, it was somewhat of a comical event for the Director and others.
In 1940, SA Buchanan sent Hoover, as you'll see from the letters, the original tie that he used in the Karpis arrest.
In October, 2008, this matter was discussed with FBI historian Dr. John Fox, in addition to surviving Hoover 3rd in Charge, Mr. Cartha "Deke" Deloach with the ultimate question of "does the Karpis necktie, sent by Buchanan to Hoover, still exist somewhere in the confines of the FBI or the Hoover Foundation?
The answer was "No." It cannot be found. In fact, we're not sure what it even looked liked.
To see letters regarding this matter this matter, click the links below.
April, 1940 letter from SA W. L. "Buck" Buchanan to Hoover submitting the "Karpis tie."
April, 1940 letter from Hoover responding to the sending.
