TJDS

John Dillinger, Public Enemy No. 1, lived up to the title bestowed upon him by J. Edgar Hoover's Division of Investigation and cemented his national notoriety when on March 3, 1934, he broke out of the Lake County Jail in Crown Point, Indiana. Dillinger had been in Crown Point since his extradition from Arizona in January awaiting trial for murder. On that morning, using a gun which had been carved out of wood, he took two of his keepers hostage. After locking up the warden, Lou Baker, and getting the drop on the turnkey and one of the national guardsmen there to prevent such a breakout, he commandeered two machine guns. After freeing a fellow inmate, he ultimately made his way out a side door of the "heavily fortified" jail and proceeded to make his getaway in the sheriff's V-8 Ford.

Dillinger's bold escape set off a flurry of reports of sightings across the midwest in the days that followed. The escape caused a political uproar. In the escape he had made one vital mistake, in driving the stolen car across the state line toward Chicago, he had violated the one law that could involve federal agents at the time, the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act. It was an error that would set the stage for his ultimate demise outside of a Chicago theater four months later.

John Herbert Dillinger's career in crime had started inauspiciously enough with the botched robbery attempt of a grocer in his hometown of Mooresville, Indiana, on September 6, 1924. He had turned 21 years of age just three months earlier. John was sent to reformatory in Pendleton, Indiana, where he was to meet future colleagues Harry Pierpont and Homer Van Meter. After serving five years without parole, an embittered Dillinger requested and received a transfer to the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, Indiana, where Pierpont and Van Meter were already in residence.

By mid-1932 Dillinger had become part of a group of prisoners intent on escaping. This group included Harry Pierpont as leader, along with Charles Makley, John Hamilton, and Russell Clark, and later Walter Dietrich and James Jenkins. Since Dillinger's parole date was approaching he was selected to operate as their connection on the outside, carrying out robberies to raise funds for the escape.

Subsequent to his parole on May 22, 1933, he began a series of holdups. During this period Dillinger began to call attention to himself with his flamboyant style, which included wearing a fashionable straw hat, and a knack for athletic leaps over the teller's barrier into the cashier's cage. Not long after securing sufficient funds for the necessary bribes of guards and officials, along with arranging for the smuggling of weapons into the prison, he was once again arrested in Dayton, Ohio. The arrest took place on September 22, 1933, at the boarding house room of girlfriend Mary Longnaker, with whom he had visited the Chicago World's Fair that summer.

While lodged in the jail at Lima, Ohio, his companions carried out their escape on October 12. All ultimately getting away except for Joseph Jenkins, who after being thrown from the getaway car, managed to commandeer a vehicle driven by a youth who was able to escape after tricking Jenkins into checking the gas tank. Jenkins was later shot and killed by local posse members on alert in Beanblossom, Indiana.

Three of the escapees, Pierpont, Clark and Makley, soon broke Dillinger out of the Lima jail after badly beating and shooting Sheriff Jesse Sarber, who died that evening. The gang then proceeded to Chicago to avoid the intense manhunt throughout Ohio. In Auburn and Peru, Indiana, they robbed police arsenals acquiring a cache of weapons including machine guns and also bulletproof vests.

During the gang's stay in Chicago, several important events were to transpire. On November 15, Dillinger, with his new girlfriend, Evelyn "Billie" Frechette, narrowly escaped a police ambush set up when an informant had notified the police that Dillinger would be seeing a dermatologist named Dr. Charles Eye. Dillinger eluded his pursuers after having his vehicle shot up in a high speed chase.

The publicity mounting, on November 20, the gang carried out a daring robbery in Racine, Wisconsin. With shots being fired, they escaped behind a shield of hostages. Then on December 14, John Hamilton mortally wounded Sergeant William Shanley, when the detective tried to capture him in a garage where he had followed a lead on a gang vehicle being repaired there.

With the heat on and the development by the Chicago police of a special unit called The Dillinger Squad, it was decided by the gang that they should lay low for awhile. Dillinger reportedly dyed his hair red and grew a mustache. John and Billie joined Makley, Clark, and Hamilton in Daytona Beach, Florida. On Christmas Eve, Dillinger and Billie had a violent argument which culminated with Dillinger beating her and throwing her out the following morning, providing her with a $1000 and the keys to his car as a parting gesture.

Dillinger returned north two weeks later to go after Billie in her home state of Wisconsin. He and Hamilton decided to rob The First National Bank in East Chicago, Indiana, on January 15. During the getaway Patrolman William O'Malley fired shots at Dillinger only to have them bounce off the bulletproof vest the outlaw was wearing. In the exchange of fire that followed Dillinger shot and killed the officer. Hamilton was wounded by police fire and was helped by Dillinger to the getaway car.

On January 23,1934, Makley and Clark were forced out of hiding at the Hotel Congress in Tucson, Arizona, by a fire that broke out in the hotel that morning. One of the firemen, having recognized them from a crime magazine photo, notified the sheriff. The same day, Dillinger and Billie Frechette arrived in town for the reunion of the gang. They did manage to meet on the 25th, but acting on a tip, the police first arrested Makley, and then Clark, at the house they had been staying in since the hotel fire. Later, following leads, the police were able to capture Pierpont. Dillinger, unaware of these events, arrived at the house where Makley and Clark had been grabbed, and was arrested by officers just as they were setting up their stakeout.

Dillinger became a national news item during his incarceration in the Pima County jail. Newspapermen and photographers poured in from around the country. While Dillinger and his gang gave interviews, there was much legal wrangling behind the scenes over which state would win extradition. He was eventually extradited to Indiana to stand trial for the O'Malley killing. The other three were sent to Ohio to be tried for killing Sheriff Sarber in the Lima breakout. Billie Frechette, arrested with Dillinger, was released.

On January 30, the plane carrying Dillinger and his guards arrived at Chicago Municipal Airport. Waiting at the airport was a large contingent of police, in addition to the Dillinger Squad. With sirens wailing, the car carrying the outlaw was accompanied by a caravan of vehicles and motorcycle cops. Arriving at the sheriff's office in Crown Point, Indiana, he was greeted by numerous reporters with whom he cracked jokes. Photographers convinced Dillinger and Prosecutor Estill to pose, Dillinger cheerfully leaning his arm on his prosecutor's shoulder, with the sheriff looking congenially on.

The arraignment for the O'Malley killing took place on February 9, 1934. Louis Piquett, a Chicago attorney who specialized in representing underworld characters, acted as his lawyer. After some legal maneuvering, Judge William J. Murray, set the trial for March 3. During the succeeding weeks there was little concern about a jailbreak, for along with the escape-proof reputation of the county jail and the fifty guards employed there, the sheriff had added armed citizens and National Guardsmen. When Dillinger bluffed his way out with the wooden pistol on March 3, it left officials stunned and the public captivated.

By March 4, Dillinger, having rejoined Billie Frechette, arrived in St. Paul to add the final members of his new gang. This was to include John Hamilton and old prison friend Homer Van Meter (paroled from the Indiana penitentiary nine days after Dillinger in May 1933). Van Meter brought in fellow criminals, Eddie Green and his partner Tommy Carroll. To this group, was added underworld character Lester Gillis, better known as Baby Face Nelson, known for his reputation as a trigger-happy killer.

On March 6, the gangsters robbed The Security National Bank and Trust in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. As Dillinger and Van Meter collected $49,000 in cash and bonds from the vault, alarm blaring, a large crowd of onlookers gathered in the street. Nelson, spying off-duty policeman Hale Keith peering through the window, fired through the glass, wounding the man. To make their getaway, they took hostages to ride the running boards of their Packard, acting as a human shield. Once they arrived at the main highway they threw nails into the road in order to slow down any pursuing police. When the Packard overheated due to a police bullet hole in the radiator, the gang stole another car just as the police closed in. This led to a running gun battle, which nevertheless they were able to escape from, heading back to their Twin Cities hideout.

At about the same time, a panic arose in Lima, Ohio, at the trial of Pierpont and Makley, as word got out that Dillinger might try to break them out. The March 13th robbery of The First National Bank in Mason City, Iowa, netted only $52,000 of an anticipated $240,000. Both Dillinger and Hamilton received shoulder wounds and a bystander was wounded when fired on by Nelson. The gang once again escaped behind a shield of hostages, all of whom were released after about 45 minutes. Back in Minneapolis, both Dillinger and Hamilton were treated for their wounds. John's plans to use his share of the $240,000 to leave the country had to be abandoned.

In the weeks following Mason City, Dillinger was reported seemingly everywhere, by now having become a Robin Hood-like figure to the public. In fact, he was recovering from his wound, as he and Frechette were living as Mr. and Mrs. Cart T. Hellman at the Lincoln Court Apartments in St. Paul. When the manager of the apartments became suspicious of their behavior, she notified authorities. The FBI began surveillance on March 30. On the following morning, the agents and a local officer knocked on the door. Billie answered and identified herself as Mrs. Hellman. Upon being told that they were the police she stalled, saying that she needed to get dressed and closed the door. As the agents and officer waited, Homer Van Meter walked up the steps. Within a short time gunfire erupted between Van Meter and the officials. Dillinger opened fire with his machine pistol, shooting through the door. He next opened the door, spraying the hallway with machine gun fire before running down the back stairs. As he ran, he was hit by a police bullet in the leg. Once again he had escaped a law enforcement snare. On April 3, as a result of an intense manhunt, federal agents caught up with gang member Eddie Green. As he moved as though to draw, the agents cut him down.

John and Billie next moved on to the Dillinger farm in Mooresville, staying there while he recovered from his leg wound. Authorities soon learned that they had returned to Chicago and were quickly able to track down and arrest Billie Frechette as she entered a bar. On seeing the arrest of his girlfriend, Dillinger quickly drove away. She was taken to St. Paul to stand trial on harboring charges. She was sentenced in May 1934, receiving two years in jail at Milan, Michigan.

On April 13, Dillinger and Van Meter robbed the Warsaw, Indiana, police station, making off with guns and three bulletproof vests. This heist set off an intense manhunt and prompted hundreds of reports of sightings. In mid-April Dillinger and Hamilton stayed at Hamilton's sister's home in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. On April 20, having received a tip, the FBI arrived in town only to discover that the two outlaws had already moved on.

By an arrangement made in Chicago, the gang decided to meet in Northern Wisconsin, at the Little Bohemia Lodge near Mercer. The criminals took up residence beginning April 20. Along with them they brought Van Meter's girlfriend Marie Comforti, Nelson's wife Helen and Tommy Carroll's wife Jean. The Nelsons moved into a cabin next to the lodge, with the rest taking rooms on the second floor of the lodge itself. They immediately began to enjoy the rest, relaxing and playing cards.

Within a short time, the owner of the lodge, Emil Wanatka, had identified Dillinger from a newspaper photo. With his wife becoming increasingly nervous, and growing tired of the pushy gangsters, it was decided to find a way to contact the police. Passing the information on to Mrs. Wanatka's brother, he and her brother-in-law, Henry Voss, drove to the town of Rhinelander. That afternoon the local sheriff put him in contact with Melvin Purvis in Chicago. Purvis immediately chartered two planes to fly into the Rhinelander airport.

Fifteen agents were selected, eleven of whom would fly, the other four were to drive. Once there, they joined forces with another group who had flown in from St. Paul. The leader of this group, Assistant Director Hugh Clegg, assumed overall command of the operation. Expecting to begin the raid at 4 a.m., it was learned from Voss's wife that Dillinger and the others had moved their departure up to that evening. The agents located five vehicles and drew up plans to surround the lodge. Three agents in bulletproof vests were to come through the front door while others took up positions around the lodge.

On the trip to the lodge, two of the cars broke down requiring some of the agents to ride on the running boards of the remaining cars in the extreme cold. Just before 8 p.m., they arrived at their destination and immediately blocked the driveway with two of the cars. They then began to move in on foot.

As they neared the lodge, they were suddenly confronted by barking dogs, which Voss had failed to warn them of. The agents rushed into position, thinking that those inside had been alerted. At just this moment, three of the visitors to the lodge headed to their car, while two of the lodge employees came outside to check on the barking. As the three men began backing their car out, the agents opened fire believing it was gang members getting away. One of the occupants of the car was killed instantly.

Hearing the gunfire outside, the gang quickly moved into place and opened fire, Nelson shooting from the cabin. Within moments, as previously planned, Dillinger, Van Meter and Hamilton, followed by Carroll went out the back of the lodge. They headed down to the adjacent lake and escaped to the north on foot. Nelson soon escaped, heading the opposite direction along the shore. While he headed south, the others soon located vehicles to steal, and got away.

Forcing his way into a nearby lodge owned by a man named Koerner, Nelson was holding the occupants hostage when Emil Wanatka and his brother-in-law arrived in front with the two employees from Little Bohemia. Nelson commandeered their vehicle and prepared to leave with Emil and Koerner as hostages, unaware that Koerner had already called the FBI when he noted Nelson's suspicious arrival.

At this moment, Agents Jay Newman, W. Carter Baum and a local constable named Christiansen pulled into the driveway. As they pulled next to his car, Baby Face jumped out and ordered the agents and the officer out at gunpoint. He then proceeded to open fire on all three, killing Baum on the spot. The hostages dove for cover. After unloading his weapon at everything in sight, Nelson took the Ford the agents had been using and headed south at high speed.

Back at the lodge, the three gangster's women, who had been hiding in the basement, surrendered and were arrested. As Dillinger, Van Meter and Hamilton raced toward St. Paul after the battle, they were spotted by waiting lawmen, who began chasing the stolen Packard the gang was driving. As they exchanged fire one of the police bullets caught Hamilton in the back.

Eventually eluding their pursuers, they hijacked another car and headed for Chicago with the wounded Hamilton. Nelson holed up at the Lac Du Flambeau Indian Reservation until a few days had passed, then made his way to Marshfield, Wisconsin, and obtained a car. The women were jailed in Madison.

The entire raid came to be seen by the public as a disaster, bringing heavy criticism on the FBI and Hoover. As the controversy raged, five days later, Dillinger and Van Meter finally found medical attention for Hamilton, through Doc Barker of the equally notorious Barker gang. In the end, Hamilton died of his wound and was buried in a gravel quarry.

On May 5, 1934, spurred on in part by the lawlessness of the likes of Dillinger, The House Of Representatives passed numerous laws covering crimes typical of those committed by the motorized bandits of the time. While Dillinger went into hiding in Calumet City, Illinois, Bonnie and Clyde were killed by a posse outside Gibsland, Louisiana, on May 23, 1934.

In an attempt to evade the intensifying manhunt, John had his lawyer Piquett, and his investigator Arthur O'Leary, locate a plastic surgeon to alter his appearance. They arranged for Dr. Wilhelm Loeser and an assistant, Dr. Harold Cassidy, to operate. On May 27, at the home of James Probasco, they went to work on his face. Several days later, they worked on the tips of his fingers, attempting to remove his fingerprints. The end results of the work were highly debatable. Some friends on seeing John later, thought he looked like he had the mumps.

A short time later, the women arrested at Little Bohemia were released and placed on probation. Tommy Carroll, reunited with his wife, drove to Waterloo, Iowa. Acting on a tip, police looked for and then located their car parked in an alley. Later as the Carrolls emerged from a nearby restaurant, the police approached. Carroll went for his gun but one of the officers knocked it from his hand. As he began to run he was shot four times. He would later die in the hospital. The ranks of the Dillinger gang were thinning.

On June 30, still hoping to raise money to leave the country, Dillinger with Van Meter and another man who may have been Pretty Boy Floyd, robbed the Merchant's National Bank in South Bend, Indiana. During the robbery and it's aftermath, there was much gunfire with Van Meter shooting an officer, who later died. Van Meter himself suffered a severe head wound. The resultant take was a mere $4,800 between them.

The day after the robbery a man known as Jimmy Lawrence met his girlfriend, Polly Hamilton, for a date. He had been seeing her for two weeks. She was renting out a room from a Romanian immigrant named Anna Sage. Sage was currently facing deportation proceedings, stemming from her convictions resulting from charges related to her running brothels in Gary, Indiana, and East Chicago. Only Sage knew that Jimmy Lawrence, was in fact, John Dillinger. While living quietly in his new identity, the manhunt was continuing. Hoover had appointed Samuel Cowley to head up the investigation in Chicago.

On July 20, 1934, Anna Sage contacted acquaintance Martin Zarkovich, an East Chicago police sergeant, and offered to reveal the whereabouts of John Dillinger in return for both the reward money and help in blocking her deportation. Zarkovich contacted Melvin Purvis. At subsequent secret meeting with Purvis and Cowley she outlined her offer and received assurance that they would help with her deportation problem. She told them that she would be going with John and Polly to the movies at the Marbro the following evening.

On July 22, all available agents were briefed on the setup. At 5:30 p.m., Sage called and confirmed that they would attend a movie that night at either the Marbro, or the Biograph theater. Secondary plans were quickly made to have Purvis and Agent Ralph Brown stake out the Biograph. Spotting Dillinger and the women arrive at the Biograph, where Manhattan Melodrama featuring Clark Gable was showing, Agent Brown immediately called Cowley. Agents quickly surrounded the theater. Purvis was stationed left of the entrance.

At 10:30 p.m., Dillinger and his companions exited the theater. Purvis having identified him, lit his cigar, the prearranged signal. Purvis and Agent Herman E. Hollis closed in from behind with guns drawn. As he neared the alleyway down from the theater, glancing over his shoulder, he began to run into the alley. Agents Hollis, Charles Winstead, and C. Hurt fired five times. Three bullets hit Dillinger and he fell face down. One shot, probably fired by Winstead, had entered his neck and exited under his right eye, killing him.

Taken to the Alexian Bros. Hospital, he was pronounced dead at 10:30 p.m. From there his body was transported to the Cook County Morgue, where a huge crowd gathered and a number of photos were taken. The FBI checked his fingerprints, and in spite of his attempts to have them obliterated, were able to make a positive identification. An autopsy was then performed. The next day the body was put on display at the morgue and thousands came to look at the infamous John Dillinger. Newspapers were filled with stories of his betrayal by a "woman in red", soon identified by the press as Anna Sage.

The body was next transferred to McCready Mortuary. On July 24, the remains were taken to the E.F. Harvey Funeral Parlor in Mooresville. The casket was soon moved from there to his sister's home in Maywood. A crowd of thousands gathered outside the Crown Hill Cemetery, as the twenty car funeral procession arrived. Dillinger's body was then buried. Due to countless rumors that would go on for years, that it wasn't Dillinger's body in the ground, John Dillinger Sr. soon made arrangements to have 3 ft. of reinforced concrete poured into the ground above the grave, lest anyone attempt to dig up the coffin.

Of his surviving companions, Van Meter was trapped and killed a month later in St. Paul. Shortly thereafter, Makley was killed and Harry Pierpont wounded in a failed jailbreak. Pierpont would soon go to the electric chair. Russell Clark received a life sentence for his part in the Sarber killing. On November 27, 1934, Baby Face Nelson, while traveling with Helen Gillis and armed companion John Paul Chase, were spotted by Federal Agents Samuel Cowley and H.E. Hollis. During the gun battle that followed, Nelson killed Cowley and Hollis, but was himself mortally wounded. His body, having been dumped not far away, was discovered the next morning.

The passing of John Dillinger and his gang marked the beginning of the end of an era of lawlessness in American history. His short life had ended violently, but his legend would continue to grow with the passage of time. Little would he have imagined that, in the end, he would be remembered as the most notorious outlaw of his time.

BY CHRIS HEGLE

MAY 1933 THROUGH JULY 1934
MAY 22, 1933
MONDAY
RELEASED FROM INDIANA STATE PRISON AT MICHIGAN CITY; SENTENCE BEGAN SEPTEMBER 16, 1924
JUNE 24, 1933
SATURDAY
ATTEMPTS TO ROB MARSHALL FIELD THREAD MILL IN MONTICELLO, INDIANA, WITH WILLIAM SHAW
JUNE 29, 1933
THURSDAY
ROBS SANDWICH SHOP WITH WILLIAM SHAW ON EAST 28TH STREET, INDIANAPOLIS
JULY 15, 1933
SATURDAY
ARRIVES IN MUNCIE, INDIANA, TO MEET HARRY COPELAND, THEN DRIVES TO DALEVILLE, INDIANA, TO CASE THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF DALEVILLE
JULY 17, 1933
MONDAY 12:45 P.M.
ROBS THE COMMERCIAL BANK OF DALEVILLE WITH HARRY COPELAND AND HILTON CROUCH
BANDIT CAR: CHEVROLET COUPE
TAKE: $3,500
JULY 30, 1933
MONDAY
WITH COPELAND, VISITS WHOREHOUSE IN FORT WAYNE, INDIANA
AUGUST 4, 1933
FRIDAY
ROBS FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MONTPELIER, INDIANA, WITH COPELAND AND CROUCH
BANDIT CAR: BLUE DODGE
TAKE: $6,700
AUGUST 14, 1933
MONDAY NOON
ROBS CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK OF BLUFFTON, OHIO, WITH COPELAND AND CROUCH
BANDIT CAR: GREEN SEDAN
TAKE: $6,000
SEPT. 6, 1933
WEDNESDAY
ROBS MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE STATE BANK IN INDIANAPOLIS WITH COPELAND AND CROUCH
BANDIT CAR: DESOTO
TAKE: $24,000
SEPT. 15, 1933
FRIDAY
HAS HIS 1933 ESSEX TERRAPLANE REPAIRED AT 3034 LAWRENCE AVENUE, CHICAGO
SEPT. 22, 1933
FRIDAY
CAPTURED IN DAYTON, OHIO, AT THE HOME OF MARY LONGNAKER
SEPT. 23, 1933
SATURDAY
TRANSFERRED TO ALLEN COUNTY JAIL, LIMA, OHIO
SEPT. 26, 1933
TUESDAY 1:30 P.M.
INDIANA STATE PRISON AT MICHIGAN CITY JAILBREAK.
ESCAPEES: HARRY PIERPONT, CHARLES MAKLEY, RUSSELL CLARK, EDWARD SHOUSE, WALTER DIETRICH, JOHN BURNS, JAMES JENKINS, JOSEPH FOX, JOHN HAMILTON, JAMES CLARK
*MACHINE GUN KELLY APPREHENDED IN MEMPHIS
SEPT. 29, 1933
FRIDAY
MICHIGAN CITY ESCAPEE JAMES CLARK ARRESTED IN HAMMOND, INDIANA; DILLINGER WRITES A LETTER TO HIS FATHER FROM THE LIMA JAIL
SEPT. 30, 1933
SATURDAY
MICHIGAN CITY ESCAPEE JAMES JENKINS SHOT AND KILLED IN BEANBLOSSOM, INDIANA, BY TOWNSPEOPLE. LOCAL RESIDENT HERBERT MCDONALD WOUNDED IN THE ARM
OCT. 8, 1933
SUNDAY
GIANTS BEAT THE SENATORS FOUR GAMES TO ONE IN THE WORLD SERIES
OCT. 12, 1933
THURSDAY
PIERPONT, MAKLEY AND CLARK ENTER THE LIMA JAIL AND FREE DILLINGER, PIERPONT KILLING SHERIFF JESSE SARBER IN THE PROCESS. COPELAND, HAMILTON AND SHOUSE STAND GUARD OUTSIDE. AFTER FREEING DILLINGER, THE GANG TRAVELS TO LEIPSIC,OHIO,PIERPONT'S HOME, CELEBRATES PIERPONT'S BIRTHDAY THE FOLLOWING DAY
OCT. 14, 1933
SATURDAY
ROBS THE AUBURN, INDIANA, POLICE STATION ARSENAL WITH PIERPONT AND WALTER DIETRICH
TAKE: ONE THOMPSON, TWO .38 REVOLVERS, ONE .30-CALIBER SPRINGFIELD RIFLE, ONE SHOTGUN, ONE COLT .45, ONE .44 SMITH & WESSON, A SPANISH .45, ONE GERMAN LUGER, THREE BULLETPROOF VESTS, AND 1,245 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION
OCT. 21, 1933
SATURDAY
ROBS THE PERU, INDIANA, POLICE STATION ARSENAL WITH PIERPONT AND DIETRICH
TAKE: TWO THOMPSONS, SIX BULLETPROOF VESTS, TWO SAWED-OFF SHOTGUNS, FOUR .38 POLICE SPECIALS, TWO .30.30 WINCHESTERS
OCTOBER 23, 1933
MONDAY
ROBS CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK OF GREENCASTLE, INDIANA, WITH PIERPONT, MAKLEY, CLARK, COPELAND, HAMILTON, AND EITHER HILTON CROUCH OR LESLIE HOMER
BANDIT CAR: BLACK STUDEBAKER
TAKE: $75,000
*BABY FACE NELSON ROBS THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BRAINERD, MINNESOTA, OF $32,000 WITH TOMMY CARROLL, HOMER VAN METER, JOHN PAUL CHASE, AND CHARLES FISHER
OCT. 26, 1933
THURSDAY
THE GOVERNOR OF INDIANA CALLS UP THE NATIONAL GUARD; ARMORED CARS WITH MOUNTED MACHINE GUNS ON 24-HOUR DUTY IN INDIANAPOLIS
LATE OCT. 1933
JOHNNIE MEETS EVELYN FRECHETTE IN NORTH SIDE CHICAGO NIGHTCLUB
NOV. 11, 1933
SATURDAY
POLICE ATTEMPT TO ARREST TOMMY CARROLL IN MINNEAPOLIS ON SUSPICION OF PARTICIPATING IN THE BRAINERD HOLDUP. ESCAPING BAREFOOTED, HE LEAVES BEHIND $1,600 IN CASH, A RIFLE, A MACHINE GUN, AND A SHOTGUN
NOV. 15, 1933
WEDNESDAY
AFTER CONTRACTING RINGWORM AT THE LIMA JAIL, DILLINGER SEEKS TREATMENT FROM DR. CHARLES EYE IN CHICAGO. INFORMANT ARTHUR MCGINNIS NOTIFIES POLICE, BUT DILLINGER AND FRECHETTE ESCAPE TRAP
NOV. 19, 1933
SUNDAY
HARRY COPELAND ARRESTED AT HARLEM AND NORTH AVENUES, CHICAGO, AND RETURNED TO PRISON
NOV. 20, 1933
MONDAY
3P.M.
ROBS AMERICAN BANK AND TRUST COMPANY IN RACINE, WISCONSIN, WITH PIERPONT, MAKLEY, CLARK, HAMILTON, AND LESLIE HOMER
BANDIT CAR: BLACK BUICK
WOUNDED: SGT. WILBUR HANSEN
H.J. GRAHAM, CASHIER (ARM)
TAKE: $27,000
NOV. 24, 1933
FRIDAY
LESLIE HOMER ARRESTED AT LASALLE AND OHIO STREETS IN CHICAGO
NOV. 30, 1933
THURSDAY
BABY FACE NELSON AND HIS WIFE, HELEN GILLIS, ENJOY A THANKSGIVING DINNER WITH HOMER VAN METER AND MARIE COMFORTI AT THE HOME OF H.S. LEBMAN IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. THE NELSONS LEAVE FOR SAN FRANCISCO ON DEC. 11
*NUDE BODY OF VERNE MILLER FOUND IN DETROIT; BACK OF HIS SKULL CRUSHED IN
DEC. 11, 1933
MONDAY
TOMMY CARROLL ENGAGES IN GUN BATTLE WITH POLICE IN SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. DETECTIVE H.C. PERROW IS SLAIN
DEC. 14, 1933
THURSDAY
JOHN HAMILTON KILLS SGT. WILLIAM T. SHANLEY IN A NORTH BROADWAY GARAGE, CHICAGO
MID-DEC. 1933
DILLINGER AND FRECHETTE DRIVE TO DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA, ALONG WITH PIERPONT AND MARY KINDER, RUSSELL CLARK AND OPAL LONG
DEC. 20, 1933
WEDNESDAY
EDWARD SHOUSE CAPTURED IN PARIS, ILLINOIS, AND RETURNED TO MICHIGAN CITY
DEC. 21, 1933
THURSDAY
HOMER VAN METER AND CHARLES MAKLEY JOIN THE GANG IN DAYTONA
DEC. 23, 1933
SATURDAY
HILTON CROUCH APPREHENDED AT 420 SURF STREET, CHICAGO; SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE BANK JOB
CHRISTMAS DAY 1933
MONDAY
DILLINGER FIGHTS WITH FRECHETTE AND ORDERS HER BACK TO THE INDIAN RESERVATION IN NEOPIT, WISCONSIN
JAN. 1, 1934
MIDNIGHT
GANG FIRES MACHINE GUNS AT THE BEACH TO CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR
JANUARY 1934
BILLIE CONSULTS WITH GEORGE R. BROKINS, ATTORNEY AT LAW, AT 707 STEVENS BUILDING, CHICAGO, ABOUT DIVORCING HER HUSBAND, WELTON SPARK, #42165, U.S. PENITENTIARY, LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS
EARLY JAN. 1934
MAKLEY, CLARK AND OPAL LONG LEAVE DAYTONA FOR TUCSON, ARIZONA, ARRIVING ON THE 9TH OR 10TH. PIERPONT AND MARY KINDER ARRIVE THE 16TH
JAN. 6, 1934
SATURDAY
MICHIGAN CITY ESCAPEE WALTER DIETRICH CAPTURED IN BELLWOOD, ILLINOIS, AND RETURNED TO PRISON
JAN. 15, 1934
MONDAY
ROBS FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF EAST CHICAGO,INDIANA, WITH JOHN HAMILTON AND UNIDENTIFIED MAN
BANDIT CAR: BLUE PLYMOUTH
WOUNDED: HAMILTON; SHOT IN RIGHT HAND,LOSING FINGER, SHOT FOUR TIMES IN GROIN
KILLED: OFFICER WILLIAM PATRICK O'MALLEY (BY DILLINGER)
TAKE: $20,000
JAN. 16, 1934
TUESDAY
BLOODSTAINED AND BULLET-RIDDLED PLYMOUTH GETAWAY CAR FOUND AT BYRON STREET AND CALIFORNIA AVENUE, CHICAGO
JAN. 17, 1934
WEDNESDAY
VISITS FATHER IN MOORESVILLE, INDIANA, WITH BILLIE
JAN. 18 OR 19, 1934
WITH BILLIE FRECHETTE, DILLINGER ATTENDS THE AUTO SHOW AT THE ST. LOUIS MUNICIPAL AUDITORIUM. A BOSTON BULL TERRIER DILLINGER HAD BOUGHT FOR FRECHETTE GETS LOOSE AT THE SHOW. AN OFFICER ON DUTY AT THE SHOW CATCHES THE DOG AND RETURNS IT TO DILLINGER
JAN. 21, 1934
SUNDAY
ARRIVES IN TUCSON WITH BILLIE
JAN. 22, 1934
MONDAY
THE CONGRESS HOTEL, WHERE CLARK AND MAKLEY ARE REGISTERED, CATCHES FIRE. THE TWO PAY FIREMEN $50 TO RETRIEVE THEIR BELONGINGS, THEN RELOCATE TO A HOUSE ON 927 NORTH SECOND AVENUE.
*IN CALIFORNIA, BABY FACE NELSON BUYS HIMSELF A NEW GETAWAY CAR, A HUDSON SEDAN, ISSUED TO HIM UNDER THE NAME OF JAMES ROGERS
JAN. 23, 1934
TUESDAY
BROWSING THROUGH DETECTIVE MAGAZINES BACK AT THE STATION, THE FIREMEN RECOGNIZE CLARK'S MUG SHOT AND NOTIFY THE TUCSON POLICE
*KIDNAP VICTIM EDWARD BREMER RELEASED
JAN. 25, 1934
THURSDAY
CHARLES MAKLEY ARRESTED AT A RADIO STORE IN DOWNTOWN TUCSON; CLARK AND OPAL LONG CAPTURED AT THE HOUSE ON NORTH SECOND AVENUE; PIERPONT AND MARY KINDER APPREHENDED ON SOUTH SIXTH WHILE TRYING TO LEAVE TOWN IN A '34 BUICK. HOURS AFTER CLARK'S ARREST, DILLINGER AND FRECHETTE ARRESTED AT THE NORTH AVENUE HOUSE
JAN. 26, 1934
FRIDAY
PRELIMINARY HEARING BEFORE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE C.V. BUDLONG, PIMA COUNTY COURTHOUSE. BOND SET AT $100,000 FOR EVERYONE EXCEPT FRECHETTE ($5,000). GANG REPRESENTED BY L.A. ATTORNEY JOHN VAN BUSKIRK
JAN. 29, 1934
MONDAY EVENING
DILLINGER FLIES BY CHARTER PLANE TO DOUGLAS, ARIZONA, TO MAKE AMERICAN AIRWAYS CONNECTION. HE LEAVES DOUGLAS AT 11:40 P.M., MAKES STOPS IN DALLAS, FORT WORTH, LITTLE ROCK, MEMPHIS AND ST. LOUIS. LANDS AT MIDWAY AIRPORT, CHICAGO, AT 6 P.M. JAN. 30.
JAN. 30, 1934
TUESDAY
THIRTEEN-CAR MOTORCADE BEGINS JOURNEY TO CROWN POINT, INDIANA; ARRIVES AT THE LAKE COUNTY JAIL AT 7:40 P.M.
JAN. 31, 1934
WEDNESDAY
LOUIS PIQUETT, ESQ., AND ARTHUR O'LEARY, PIQUETT'S INVESTIGATOR, TRAVEL TO CROWN POINT IN AN ATTEMPT TO SEE DILLINGER. DENIED ACCESS, THEY RETURN TO CHICAGO
FEB. 1, 1934
THURSDAY
PIQUETT AGAIN DRIVES TO CROWN POINT TO MEET DILLINGER. HE IS FIRST MET BY WARDEN LOU BAKER, SEARCHED, THEN ALLOWED TO SEE HIM
FEB. 5, 1934
MONDAY
PRELIMINARY HEARING BEFORE JUDGE WILLIAM J. MURRAY. WITH 50 GUARDS PRESENT, THE SHACKLED DILLINGER IS REPRESENTED BY JOSEPH RYAN, A ONE-ARMED LAWYER FROM INDIANAPOLIS. UNHAPPY WITH RYAN'S REPRESENTATION, DILLINGER DEMANDS TO SEE PIQUETT, WHO SUBSEQUENTLY REPLACES RYAN
FEB. 9, 1934
FRIDAY
DILLINGER IS ARRAIGNED; TRIAL SET FOR MARCH 12
FEB. 10, 1934
SATURDAY
PROSECUTOR ROBERT ESTILL ASKS JUDGE MURRAY TO TRANSFER DILLINGER TO MICHIGAN CITY FOR SAFEKEEPING. THE REQUEST IS DENIED
FEB. 15, 1934
THURSDAY
ARTHUR O'LEARY TRAVELS WITH PIQUETT TO CROWN POINT AND MEETS DILLINGER FOR THE FIRST TIME
FEB. 17, 1934
SATURDAY
PIERPONT, MAKLEY AND CLARK PLEAD NOT GUILTY TO THE SARBER KILLING. MARY KINDER IS RELEASED
MID-FEB. 1934
ARTHUR O'LEARY CONCEIVES THE IDEA OF SMUGGLING A WOODEN GUN IN TO DILLINGER
FEB. 26, 1934
MONDAY
BILLIE FRECHETTE VISITS DILLINGER AT THE JAIL IN CROWN POINT
FEB. 28, 1934
WEDNESDAY NOON
O'LEARY RECEIVES THE WOODEN GUN MADE BY A GERMAN WOODWORKER IN CHICAGO
MARCH 3, 1934
SATURDAY
9:15 A.M.
DILLINGER ESCAPES FROM JAIL USING THE WOODEN GUN; BRINGS ALONG ACCUSED MURDERER HERBERT YOUNGBLOOD. DILLINGER STEALS SHERIFF LILLIAN HOLLEY'S CAR AND HEADS FOR CHICAGO
MARCH 4-6, 1934
RENTS APT. 106 AT THE SANTA MONICA APARTMENTS, 3252 SOUTH GIRARD AVENUE, MINNEAPOLIS, WITH BILLIE FRECHETTE
MARCH 5, 1934
MONDAY
SHERIFF HOLLEY'S CAR FOUND ABANDONED AT 1057 ARDMORE, CHICAGO
MARCH 6, 1934
TUESDAY
ROBS SECURITY NATIONAL BANK IN SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA, WITH HOMER VAN METER, EDDIE GREEN, TOMMY CARROLL, AND BABY FACE NELSON
BANDIT CAR: GREEN 1934 PACKARD
WOUNDED: MOTORCYCLE POLICEMAN HALE KEITH
TAKE: $49,500
MARCH 7, 1934
WEDNESDAY
AS A RESULT OF DRIVING SHERIFF HOLLEY'S CAR FROM INDIANA TO ILLINOIS, DILLINGER VIOLATES THE DYER ACT, A FEDERAL OFFENSE. FBI ENTERS THE CASE
MARCH 13, 1934
TUESDAY
ROBS FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MASON CITY, IOWA, WITH HOMER VAN METER, EDDIE GREEN, 2:40 P.M. TOMMY CARROLL, BABY FACE NELSON, AND JOHN HAMILTON
BANDIT CAR: BUICK
WOUNDED: DILLINGER AND HAMILTON (SHOULDER) R. H. JAMES, BYSTANDER (LEG)
TAKE: $52,000
MARCH 14, 1934
WEDNESDAY
AFTER PARTING WAYS WITH DILLINGER IN CHICAGO FOLLOWING THE CROWN POINT ESCAPE, HERBERT YOUNGBLOOD IS SHOT AND KILLED IN PORT HURON, MICHIGAN. ALSO KILLED WAS UNDERSHERIFF CHARLES CAVANAUGH
MARCH 14, 1934
MIDNIGHT
IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION, DILLINGER AND HAMILTON ARE TAKEN TO THE HOME OF DR. NELS MORTENSEN, AT 2252 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE, ST. PAUL, BY PAT REILLY, ACCOMPANIED BY HOMER VAN METER
*IN CHICAGO, ROGER TOUHY GANG MEMBER BASIL BANGHART RECEIVES 99-YEAR SENTENCE FOR THE JOHN FACTOR KIDNAPPING
MARCH 16, 1934
FRIDAY
DILLINGER AND BILLIE ARRIVE IN CHICAGO TO MEET WITH PIQUETT. PIQUETT BEING UNAVAILABLE, THEY MEET WITH O'LEARY AND DISCUSS BILLIE'S WISH TO OBTAIN A DIVORCE FROM HER IMPRISONED HUSBAND SO THAT SHE AND DILLINGER CAN MARRY
MARCH 18, 1934
SUNDAY
4 P.M.
DILLINGER AND FRECHETTE AGAIN MEET WITH O'LEARY TO DISCUSS THE DIVORCE MARCH 19, 1934
MONDAY
BILLIE TRAVELS TO MOORESVILLE TO DELIVER A LETTER FROM DILLINGER, ALONG WITH THE WOODEN GUN AND SMALL SUMS OF MONEY FOR AUDREY HANCOCK AND DILLINGER'S FATHER
MARCH 20, 1934
TUESDAY
MOVES IN WITH BILLIE FRECHETTE AT THE LINCOLN COURT APARTMENTS, APT. 303, 93 SOUTH LEXINGTON AVENUE, ST. PAUL, UNDER THE NAME OF MR. AND MRS. CARL T. HELLMAN. RENT IS $60 PER MONTH
MARCH 22, 1934
THURSDAY
BABY FACE NELSON, WITH WIFE HELEN GILLIS AND JOHN PAUL CHASE, ARRIVE IN RENO, NEVADA
*IN CHICAGO, FRED GOETZ, AKA: SHOTGUN ZIEGLER, EX-CAPONE HENCHMAN, IS FOUND DEAD IN CICERO
MARCH 23, 1934
FRIDAY
DILLINGER DRIVES TO LEIPSIC, OHIO, AND VISITS HARRY PIERPONT'S MOTHER TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF BREAKING HIM OUT OF JAIL
MARCH 24, 1934
SATURDAY
PIERPONT AND MAKLEY SENTENCED TO DEATH BY ELECTRIC CHAIR. EXECUTIONS ARE SET FOR FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 1934. CLARK IS GIVEN LIFE
MARCH 27, 1934
TUESDAY
PIERPONT AND MAKLEY TRANSFERRED TO THE STATE PRISON IN COLUMBUS TO AWAIT EXECUTION. CLARK ALSO TRANSFERRED. PATRICIA CHERRINGTON BUYS HERSELF A NEW COAT AT THE YOUNG-QUINLAN COMPANY, NINTH AND NICOLLET AVENUE, MINNEAPOLIS. THE COAT WAS FOUND IN APARTMENT 303, LINCOLN COURT APARTMENTS, ST. PAUL, SUBSEQUENT TO THE SHOOTOUT OF MARCH 31.
MARCH 30, 1934
FRIDAY
DILLINGER, BILLIE, JOHN HAMILTON AND GIRLFRIEND PAT CHERRINGTON, AND HER SISTER, OPAL LONG, HAVE A PARTY AT THE LINCOLN COURT APARTMENTS. IT LASTS MOST OF THE NIGHT
MARCH 31, 1934
SATURDAY
10:30 A.M.
AFTER THE SUSPICIOUS CARETAKER TIPS OFF THE FBI THE DAY BEFORE, AGENTS COULTER AND NOLLS, AND DETECTIVE CUMMINGS, INVESTIGATE APT. 303. DILLINGER AND BILLIE ESCAPE. DILLINGER WOUNDED IN LEFT CALF. VAN METER ESCAPES ON A COAL TRUCK THAT WAS PASSING BY. DILLINGER AND FRECHETTE DRIVE TO 3300 FREMONT AVENUE, EDDIE GREEN'S APARTMENT, TO SEEK ASSISTANCE
MARCH 31, 1934
11 A.M.
GREEN TAKES DILLINGER TO DR. CLAYTON E. MAY, AT 1835 PARK AVENUE, MINNEAPOLIS, TO TREAT HIS LEG. HE STAYS WITH DR. MAY AND HIS NURSE, AUGUSTA SALT, UNTIL APRIL 4
APRIL 3, 1934
TUESDAY
EDDIE GREEN SHOT AND MORTALLY WOUNDED BY AGENTS AT 778 RONDO AVENUE, ST. PAUL
APRIL 4-6, 1934
DILLINGER AND FRECHETTE TRAVEL TO MOORESVILLE TO VISIT JOHN'S FATHER, ARRIVING ON THE 5TH. ON THE 6TH, DILLINGER AND HIS HALF BROTHER, HUBERT, DRIVE TO LEIPSIC, OHIO, TO MAKE CONTACT WITH PIERPONT'S FAMILY
APRIL 7, 1934
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
DILLINGER, WITH BILLIE, PURCHASES A CAR IN INDIANAPOLIS FOR CASH. BILLIE LISTS HER ADDRESS AS 409 NORTH LASALLE STREET, INDIANAPOLIS, THE ADDRESS OF DILLINGER'S HALF-BROTHER, HUBERT. THE CAR IS PURCHASED HOURS AFTER DILLINGER AND HUBERT FLEE FROM A WRECK IN NOBLESVILLE. WHEN THE POLICE DISCOVER THE HOT MONEY, AND HUBERT'S ADDRESS, THEY RAID HUBERT'S HOME AND MARY KINDER'S THE FOLLOWING DAY
APRIL 8, 1934
SUNDAY
DILLINGER FAMILY REUNION BACK IN MOORESVILLE. THE FARM IS UNDER SURVEILLANCE AT THE TIME, BUT DILLINGER LEAVES FOR CHICAGO AFTER DINNER
APRIL 9, 1934
MONDAY
BILLIE FRECHETTE ARRESTED AT STATE & AUSTIN TAVERN AT 416 NORTH STATE, CHICAGO, BY MELVIN PURVIS. DILLINGER ESCAPES UNNOTICED
APRIL 11, 1934
WEDNESDAY
EDDIE GREEN DIES. HE IS BURIED AT ST. PETER'S CEMETERY, MENDOTA, MINNESOTA. THE GRAVE MARKER IS MISSING
APRIL 13, 1934
FRIDAY
EARLY MORNING
ROBS WARSAW, INDIANA, POLICE ARSENAL WITH HOMER VAN METER
TAKE: TWO REVOLVERS AND FOUR BULLETPROOF VESTS
*AT THE STATE PRISON IN COLUMBUS, OHIO, WARDEN PRESTON THOMAS INTERCEPTS A PAMPHLET OF ST. JOHN'S GOSPEL SENT TO PIERPONT FROM, HE BELIEVES, DILLINGER. THE SCRIPTURAL PAMPHLET HAS A PAGE TURNED DOWN AND A CHAPTER MARKED WITH BLUE INK. IT READS: "LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED; YE BELIEVE IN GOD, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME. IN MY FATHER'S HOME ARE MANY MANSIONS; IF IT WERE NOT SO, I WOULD HAVE TOLD YOU. I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU." PRESTON INTERCEPTS ANOTHER COMMUNICATION MAILED FROM CHICAGO APRIL 16. IT READS: "HAVE NO FEAR; JESUS HAS COME ONCE, HE WILL COME AGAIN."
APRIL 14, 1934
SATURDAY
DILLINGER AND VAN METER STOP AT THE EVENING STAR TOURIST CAMP IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, AND SPEAK TO PROPRIETOR MRS. FRANK CARGIN ABOUT A CABIN. MRS. CARGIN EXPLAINS TO THE MEN THAT THE CAMP IS NOT YET OPEN FOR BUSINESS, BUT SHE LATER DISCOVERS THAT ONE OF THE CABINS HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO AND THAT THE TWO MEN HAD STAYED TWO OR THREE NIGHTS.
APRIL 17, 1934
TUESDAY
DILLINGER AND JOHN HAMILTON DRIVE TO SAULT STE. MARIE, MICHIGAN, TO VISIT HAMILTON'S SISTER
APRIL 18, 1934
WEDNESDAY
MAY AND SALT ARRAIGNED; BOND SET AT $50,000 EACH. UNABLE TO FURNISH THE BOND, THEY ARE HELD IN THE RAMSEY COUNTY JAIL
APRIL 19, 1934
THURSDAY
VAN METER, TOMMY CARROLL, BABY FACE NELSON, MARIE COMFORTI, JEAN DELANEY, AND HELEN GILLIS MEET AT THE CRYSTAL BALLROOM IN FOX RIVER GROVE, ILLINOIS
APRIL 20, 1934
FRIDAY
1 P.M.
HOMER VAN METER, MARIE COMFORTI, AND PAT REILLY ARRIVE AT LITTLE BOHEMIA LODGE IN MANITOWISH, WISCONSIN. DILLINGER, HAMILTON, PAT CHERRINGTON, TOMMY CARROLL, JEAN DELANEY, HELEN GILLIS, AND BABY FACE NELSON ARRIVE AT 5:30 P.M.
APRIL 21, 1934
EVENING
PAT REILLY, WITH PAT CHERRINGTON ACCOMPANYING HIM, IS SENT BACK TO ST. PAUL TO COLLECT $4,000 OWED TO VAN METER BY HARRY SAWYER, ST. PAUL UNDERWORLD FIXER AND DILLINGER GANG CONTACT MAN, WHO, REILLY LATER STATES, WAS HOLDING THE MONEY FOR VAN METER TO BE "COOLED" AFTER A PRIOR BANK HEIST. REILLY IS GIVEN $30 FOR EXPENSE MONEY BY VAN METER AND IS INSTRUCTED TO CONTACT TOMMY GANNON, A MINOR ST. PAUL HOOD. UPON HIS ARRIVAL IN ST. PAUL, GANNON IS FOUND TO BE DRUNK, SO HE AND CHERRINGTON AGAIN HEAD BACK TO LITTLE BOHEMIA. REILLY LATER STATES TO THE FBI THAT BEFORE LEAVING HE DID RECEIVE $1,000 OF THE MONEY OWED TO VAN METER BY ONE PHIL CLARRITY, LOCAL BOOTLEGGER, WHO WAS HOLDING THIS MONEY FOR SAWYER.
APRIL 22, 1934
SUNDAY
FBI TRAP IS LAID AFTER BEING INFORMED OF THE GANG'S WHEREABOUTS. THE MEN ESCAPE UNSCATHED
CAPTURED: HELEN GILLIS, MARIE COMFORTI, AND JEAN DELANEY
WOUNDED: JOHN HOFFMAN, JOHN MORRIS (BY FBI) J.C. NEWMAN, CARL C. CHRISTENSEN (BY BABY FACE NELSON)
KILLED: EUGENE BOISENEAU (BY FBI) W. CARTER BAUM (BABY FACE NELSON)
*BILLIE ARRIVES IN ST. PAUL FROM CHICAGO TO AWAIT TRIAL
APRIL 23, 1934
MONDAY
NEAR HASTINGS, MINNESOTA, ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE INTO ST. PAUL, DILLINGER, VAN METER AND HAMILTON ENGAGE IN GUN BATTLE WITH POLICE. HAMILTON IS WOUNDED IN BACK. HAMILTON IS BROUGHT TO CHICAGO. DILLINGER APPEALS TO THE CRIME SYNDICATE FOR HELP. HE IS TURNED DOWN. DILLINGER NEXT CONTACTS DOC MORAN, PHYSICIAN OF THE BARKER-KARPIS GANG, WHERE HE IS ALSO REFUSED HELP.
APRIL 27, 1934
FRIDAY
HAMILTON DIES FROM HIS WOUNDS IN AURORA, ILLINOIS, AND IS BURIED BY DILLINGER, VAN METER, VOLNEY DAVIS, DOC BARKER, WILLIAM WEAVER AND HARRY CAMPBELL IN A GRAVEL PIT NEAR OSWEGO, ILLINOIS
MAY 2, 1934
WEDNESDAY
BLOODSTAINED GETAWAY CAR FOUND ABANDONED AT 3333 NORTH LEAVITT, CHICAGO
*IN ST. PAUL, BILLIE FRECHETTE PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO HAVING HARBORED DILLINGER. BOND SET AT $60,000 MAY 5, 1934
SATURDAY
BETH GREEN SENTENCED TO 15 MONTHS FOR HARBORING DILLINGER
MAY 15, 1934
TUESDAY
TRIAL OF BILLIE FRECHETTE, DR. CLAYTON MAY, AND AUGUSTA SALT BEGINS IN ST. PAUL. JUDGE GUNNAR H. NORDBYE PRESIDES
MAY 16, 1934
WEDNESDAY
BABY FACE NELSON PAYS A VISIT TO AL VAN DE HOUTEN, PROPRIETOR OF VAN DEE'S CAFE AND BAR, LOCATED AT 152-154 SOUTH CRAWFORD AVENUE, CHICAGO. THIS ESTABLISHMENT IS NOW BEING CLOSELY WATCHED BY AGENTS OF THE CHICAGO OFFICE.
MAY 23, 1934
WEDNESDAY
FRECHETTE AND MAY FOUND GUILTY OF CONSPIRING TO HARBOR DILLINGER. NURSE SALT ACQUITTED. FRECHETTE SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS AT THE FEDERAL PRISON IN MILAN, MICHIGAN; DR. MAY SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS AT LEAVENWORTH
*BONNIE AND CLYDE KILLED IN AMBUSH NEAR GIBSLAND, LOUISIANA
MAY 24, 1934
THUSDAY
11:15 P.M.
OFFICERS MARTIN O'BRIEN AND LLOYD MULVIHILL OF HE EAST CHICAGO POLICE ARE KILLED BY VAN METER IN EAST CHICAGO. VAN METER FIRES MACHINE-GUN BLASTS AT THEM FROM THE BACK OF A TRUCK
MAY 27, 1934
SUNDAY
DILLINGER MOVES INTO 2509 CRAWFORD AVENUE, CHICAGO, HOME OF JAMES PROBASCO
MAY 28, 1934
MONDAY EVENING
DRS. WILHELM LOESER AND HAROLD CASSIDY ARRIVE AT THE PROBASCO HOME TO BEGIN PLASTIC SURGERY ON DILLINGER
LATE MAY 1934
LOESER ATTEMPTS TO REMOVE DILLINGER'S FINGERPRINTS WITH ACIDS
MAY 31, 1934
THURSDAY EVENING
O'LEARY CALLS ON DILLINGER AT PROBASCO'S. THE BANDAGES HAD BEEN REMOVED EARLIER IN THE DAY
EARLY JUNE 1934
DILLINGER MEETS POLLY HAMILTON AT THE BARREL OF FUN NIGHTCLUB, ACCORDING TO POLLY
JUNE 3, 1934
SUNDAY EVENING
DR. LOESER BEGINS PLASTIC SURGERY ON HOMER VAN METER, WITH ASSISTANCE FROM DR. CASSIDY
JUNE 4, 1934
MONDAY
JOSEPH FOX, MICHIGAN CITY ESCAPEE, CAPTURED IN CHICAGO AND RETURNED TO PRISON TO FINISH SENTENCE
JUNE 5, 1934
TUESDAY
LOESER RETURNS TO THE PROBASCO HOUSE TO BEGIN FINGERPRINT REMOVAL ON VAN METER
JUNE 7, 1934
THURSDAY
TOMMY CARROLL SHOT TO DEATH BY POLICE IN WATERLOO, IOWA. HE IS BURIED AT OAKLAND CEMETERY, ST. PAUL. THE GRAVE MARKER IS MISSING
JUNE 9, 1934
SATURDAY
JEAN DELANEY SENTENCED TO A YEAR AND A DAY FOR VIOLATING PAROLE
*DILLINGER AND VAN METER DRIVE TO INDIANAPOLIS IN AN ATTEMPT TO FIND AND KILL INFORMER ART MCGINNIS. AFTER LOSING HIM IN A CROWD, THE TWO HEAD BACK TO CHICAGO
JUNE 21, 1934
THURSDAY
VAN METER PICKS UP MARIE COMFORTI AND THE TWO TRAVEL TO THE HOME OF WILLIAM AND ELLA FINERTY IN CALUMET CITY, ILLINOIS, WHERE THEY RENT A ROOM UNDER ASSUMED NAMES
JUNE 22, 1934
FRIDAY
DILLINGER CELEBRATES HIS 31ST BIRTHDAY WITH POLLY HAMILTON AT THE FRENCH CASINO NIGHTCLUB, CHICAGO
*OFFICIALLY NAMED PUBLIC ENEMY NO. 1
JUNE 23, 1934
SATURDAY
DILLINGER AND POLLY CELEBRATE POLLY'S BIRTHDAY AT THE FRENCH CASINO NIGHTCLUB
JUNE 26, 1934
TUESDAY
DILLINGER ATTENDS CUBS GAME AT WRIGLEY FIELD. CUBS 5, DODGERS 2
JUNE 27, 1934
WEDNESDAY
HARRY COPELAND SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR THE GREENCASTLE BANK JOB. PAT REILLY ARRESTED IN ST. PAUL AND RECEIVES TWO CONSECUTIVE TERMS OF ONE YEAR AND NINE MONTHS, AND 14 MONTHS
JUNE 30, 1934
SATURDAY NOON
ROBS THE MERCHANTS' NATIONAL BANK IN SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, WITH VAN METER, BABY FACE NELSON AND JOHN PAUL CHASE. THIS WAS TO BE THE GANG'S LAST JOB
BANDIT CAR: BROWN HUDSON
WOUNDED: VAN METER (HEAD) DELOS M. COEN, CASHIER PERRY G. STAHLEY, V.P. JACOB SOLOMON, BYSTANDER SAMUEL TOTH, MOTORIST
KILLED: OFFICER HOWARD WAGNER (VAN METER)
TAKE: $30,000
JULY 1, 1934
SUNDAY
PAT REILLY TELLS FBI AGENTS THAT PROBABLY ALL PHONE NUMBERS FOUND IN POSSESSION OF THE GANG OR THEIR MOLLS, OR PHONE NUMBERS AND ADDRESSES IN LETTERS, ARE LIKELY TO BE IN CODE. THE NUMBERS APPEARING IN WRITTEN FORM ARE EACH SUBTRACTED FROM 10 TO OBTAIN THE CORRECT NUMBER INTENDED. FOR EXAMPLE, DALE 2435 WOULD BE USED FOR 8675. THE TACITURN REILLY ALSO INFORMS AGENTS THAT BABY FACE NELSON BROUGHT A LETTER FROM LOUIS CERNOCKY, PROPRIETOR OF LOUIE'S PLACE, FOX RIVER GROVE, ILLINOIS, AND PROMPTLY HANDED THE LETTER OVER TO EMIL WANATKA IMMEDIATELY UPON THEIR ARRIVAL TO LITTLE BOHEMIA. REILLY CLAIMS HE SAW THE ENVELOPE BUT NOT ITS CONTENTS
JULY 2, 1934
MONDAY EVENING
DILLINGER ATTENDS A MOVIE AT THE BIOGRAPH, AT 2433 LINCOLN AVENUE, CHICAGO
JULY 7, 1934
SATURDAY
DILLINGER MEETS WITH O'LEARY AT SCHILLER STREET AND SACRAMENTO BOULEVARD, CHICAGO, TO DISCUSS BILLIE'S APPEAL. POLLY HAMILTON IS NEARBY, BUT O'LEARY DECLINES AN OFFER TO BE INTRODUCED
* PAT CHERRINGTON AND OPAL LONG SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS AT THE FEDERAL PRISON IN MILAN, MICHIGAN, ON HARBORING CHARGES
JULY 10, 1934
TUESDAY
DILLINGER, POLLY HAMILTON, VAN METER AND MARIE COMFORTI ATTEND THE WORLD'S FAIR
JULY 11, 1934
WEDNESDAY
O'LEARY MEETS DILLINGER AT AUGUSTA AND SACRAMENTO BOULEVARDS, CHICAGO, TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBILITY OF FREEING BILLIE FRECHETTE
JULY 22, 1934
SUNDAY
ANNA SAGE PHONES MELVIN PURVIS AT 5:30 P.M. TO INFORM HIM THAT SHE, DILLINGER AND POLLY WILL GO TO EITHER THE BIOGRAPH OR THE MARBRO THEATRE THIS EVENING
JULY 22, 1934
8:15 P.M.
DILLINGER, SAGE, AND POLLY ARRIVE AT THE BIOGRAPH. AFTER THE THREE ENTER THE THEATRE, MORE THAN 20 FEDERAL AGENTS, INCLUDING FIVE EAST CHICAGO OFFICERS, ARE SUMMONED
JULY 22, 1934
10:35 P.M.
UPON LEAVING THE THEATRE, DILLINGER IS SHOT FOUR TIMES, TWO GRAZING HIS FACE, ONE HITTING HIS LEFT SIDE, AND ONE ENTERING THE BACK OF HIS NECK AND EXITING BENEATH THE RIGHT EYE. HE DIES WITHIN MOMENTS. AGENT CHARLES WINSTEAD IS BELIEVED TO HAVE FIRED THE FATAL SHOT
JULY 24, 1934
TUESDAY
DILLINGER IS CARRIED IN WICKER BASKET FROM THE UNDERTAKER TO THE HEARSE TO BEGIN JOURNEY TO MOORESVILLE. AFTER A SIX-HOUR RIDE, THE CARAVAN ARRIVES. THE BODY IS CARRIED INTO THE HARVEY FUNERAL HOME. BODY IS REMOVED AT 10:15 P.M. AND MOVED TO MAYWOOD, INDIANA, TO THE HOME OF AUDREY HANCOCK, DILLINGER'S SISTER
JULY 25, 1934
WEDNESDAY
THE HANCOCKS PERMIT PUBLIC VIEWING OF THE BODY IN FRONT PARLOR OF THEIR HOME BEFORE THE FUNERAL PROPER. CASKET THEN REMOVED TO CROWN HILL CEMETERY DURING SEVERE THUNDERSTORM. CASKET LOWERED AT 3:15 P.M.�