Joseph "Joe the Barber" Barbara (August 9, 1905 – June 17, 1959) was a New York state mobster who became the boss of the Bufalino crime family. He is most notable for hosting the Apalachin Conference at his estate in Apalachin, New York on November 14, 1957. After detection by two alert New York state troopers, the infamous gathering of dozens of high-ranking mob leaders was raided by state police and federal agents. A consequence was that the FBI under long-time director J. Edgar Hoover finally acknowledged the existence and extensive operations of the Mafia in the United States and began federal law enforcement efforts in response.
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Born Giuseppe Maria Barbara in 1905 in Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily, Barbara immigrated to the United States in 1921. His last name is pronounced (bar-BEAR-uh). He was soon working as a hitman for the Buffalo crime family in Buffalo, New York. Arrested in connection to several unsolved murders during the 1930s, including the 1933 death of rival bootlegger Sam Wichner, Barbara was never brought to trial.
After his conviction for illegally purchasing 300,000 pounds of sugar (intended for the manufacture of bootleg alcohol), Barbara entered the soft drink distribution business. In the post-Prohibition years, he gained control of the beer/soft drink distribution in the Binghamton, New York region. He bought a 58 acre (24 hectare) estate in the rural town of Apalachin, New York. He was the father of Joseph Barbara, Jr.
On November 14, 1957, powerful mafiosi from all over the United States, Canada, and Italy convened at the Barbara estate to socialize and resolve the mafia affairs in New York and La Cosa Nostra operations such as gambling, casinos, and narcotics dealing.
The conference was held under the excuse that the members were visiting a sick friend. Police raided the gathering, arresting most of those present. A large minority of Mafiosi managed to escape through the woods surrounding the Barbara estate. Among those apprehended were guests such as Carlo Gambino, Vito Genovese, and Joseph Bonanno. Many of those apprehended told authorities that they were at Barbara's home to look in on him after his recent heart attack.
After the police raid, Barbara gained national attention and was later ordered to testify before the New York State Investigation Committee however, at the time of the 1957 conference, Barbara had a severe heart condition that prevented him from traveling. Using this reasoning, his lawyers were able to delay his appearance. In June 1959, Joseph Barbara died of another heart attack.
   | Joseph Barbara - Joseph M. Barbara, Sr (1905 - 1959) - Find A Grave Memorial |
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