| Dutch Schultz was a selfish and cruel, yet interesting man. Arthur Flegenheimer, known as Dutch Schultz, was said to be responsible for a maximum of 135 murders. Flegenheimer has a very undesirable childhood with no father, a poor family, and a bad atmosphere. While his mother simply accepted his career, everyone else who ever knew him believed him to be very unpleasant. Even his friends and cronies despised him. After his father deserted his family, Schultz was forced to quit school in sixth grade and obtain a job. His first jobs were completely legal, but when he found the income unsatisfactory, his ways of obtaining money went further and further into the gray area. He was named Dutch Schultz by one of the gangs he belonged to. They were reminded of a murderous member of a Bronx gang, Frog Hollows, by his blue eyes, light brown hair and build. Schultz, born in the Bronx in 1902, was convicted of unlawful entry in 1919. He received an indeterminate sentence at Blackwell�s Island Penitentiary. Because of his uncontrollable behavior, Flegenheimer was transferred to West Hampton Prison Farms. He soon escaped, but was recaptured after a mere 15 hours. His endeavors resulted in an addition of two months to his sentence. That was the first and last time Dutch would ever be in jail. Although he would be wanted 12 more times, Dutch Schultz would never be caught. This straightforward criminal was the major New York City bootlegger, prior to, during, and after Prohibition. The Dutchman was famous for being a gangster who ran organized crime many places including Harlem. Joe Noe was the closest to a friend of the Dutchman as possible, being his alcohol-bootlegging partner. Jimmy Hines was befriended and bribed for the right to bootleg during Prohibition. Schultz abused the title of sheriff given to him by Edward J. Smith and, in general, enjoyed taking advantage of people. The criminal�s fiercest rival and enemy was disagreeable Vincent Coll. When Coll, working under Schultz, demanded more share of the loot, a never-ending argument broke out. Coll formed a new rival gang. After years of fighting, the Dutchman�s cronies shot him while talking in a telephone booth. My great-grandfather, Dan may, used to talk about giving hand-me-downs and other forms of charity to Arthur. Flegenheimer was Dan May�s cousin. On October 25, 1935, Charles �the bug� Workman gave Dutch Schultz one bullet. He died the following day of internal bleeding after unceasing recollection, and muttering. Although Dutch Schultz came from a Kosher and Orthodox German Jewish family, he requested to be baptized at his deathbed by Charles McInery. He is buried at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Westchester. |
| Dutch Schultz |
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