He was one of Pretty Boy Floyd's closest known associates and also teamed with a number of fellow Oklahoma-based bandits, most notably, William "Billy the Killer" Miller and Aussie Elliott.
[1] George Birdwell was born in Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma) in 1894, his ancestry being a mix of Irish, Cherokee and Choctaw.
Published accounts of his background and early life are vague and inconsistent, however public records indicate that he was shot by a local farmer over an alleged affair with his wife when he was 18.
[1] Birdwell's first recorded robbery was on March 9, 1931, when he and Floyd joined William "Billy the Killer" Miller in robbing a bank in Earlsboro, Oklahoma, for $3,000.
The bandits did indeed arrive at the funeral home but unexpectedly turned the tables on the lawmen when Floyd held them at gunpoint while Birdwell was able to pay his last respects.
[1] Shortly afterwards, perhaps encouraged by the Henryetta robbery, Birdwell came up with a plan to rob the Farmers and Merchants Bank in Boley, Oklahoma.
Floyd objected to the proposal, pointing out that they would likely stand out in the heavily Black town and that local residents would most likely rush to the aid of the bank in the event of a robbery.
Birdwell, armed with a .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol, held everyone in the bank while Glass and Peterson looted the desk drawers.
Glass and Paterson attempted to flee, but by this time, local residents had been alerted by the gunfire and were waiting for them as they exited the bank.