Evening star., 1924-11-11
28 MEN, IN 8 AUTOS,
HUNTED IN KILLING
Believed to Have Blocked
Traffic to Aid Escape of
Gangster's SIayers.
By the Associated Press.

by hSsOC!dteu freBS.
CHICAGO, November 11.--Gang
rivalry. beer runners feuds, gambling
troubles and a fight of lieutenants
OF rival gangs over a woman were
theories followed by police today in
their search for the three men who
yesterday shot and killed Dion O'Ban-
MON, notorious gunman and gang
ster. in his flower shop.
While they sought Mike Carrozo,
labor leader. and Margaret Collins,
pretty blonde. involved in fight
eight months ago with Louis Altiere
and John Bates, alleged lieutenants
OF O'Bannion, the police took precau-
tions to prevent more killings in
reprisal.
All known enemies Of O'Bannion
questioned after the shooting had
been released today when they satis-
fled investigators they had no con-
nection with it. But as police in
quiry progressed 1T was disclosed that
more than the three men who fed
after firing six bullets into O'Bannion
Staying.
% Men Thought Implicated.
theory that possibly IS men,
using nine automobiles. effectively
blocked traffic in the vicinity OF the
florist shop while the slayers escaped in
their automobile, was evolved after
witnesses were questioned. The
blockading automobiles, given scant
attention at the time, paused at
street intersections only long enough
to permit the three men to speed
away. the hypothesis held
Through the night detectives and
states attorneys questioned suspects g.
later releasing them. Among them
were Herschie, Max and Davie Miller,
all sworn enemies of OBannion.
While they expressed satisfaction at
his death. they denied connection
with it. O'Bannion had been ac-
cused Of bombing Herschie Miller's
dry cleaning plant and of attempting
to shoot to death HerSchie and Dayie
in front of downtown theater
Earl Weiss, John Torrio, Vincent
I'rucoa, Altiere and Yankee" Schwartz.
all frequently questioned in connestion
with hi-jacking and beer running trou-
bles, were questioned and freed
Search today also was being made
for David LOFTS. chauffeur at the
flower shop, who Communicated an
automobile and pursued the slayers
yesterday and had not been seen
since.
Morgan A. Collins. police chief, de-
clared the death of O'Bannion rid
chicago of Its arch criminal"
Blamed for 25 KilIinx-.
Il don't doubt that o'Bannion was
responsible for at least 25 murders
IN this city" he said. Often under
suspicion and questioned, O'Bannion
never was tried for murder. Occa-
sionally when he was named in con-
nection with killing he would ap-
pear voluntarily.
Why, I'm n florist" he would say.
IF I've ever been in the booze rack
ct I'm out now"
That was his statement when
questioned in connection with the
deaths of Maybelle Exley Duffy and
John Duffy, whose deaths remain un-
solved. Similar statements were his
when authorities asked him about
the deaths of alleged beer runners
and gunmen. Around the corner
where he met death O'Bannion sold
papers as a boy of TO- Later an in
jury crippled him for life. When
beer running and liquor selling sup
planted gambling concessions as gang
activities, O'Bannion rose to promi-
nence because of a craftsmanship he
perfected by shooting at door knobs
in saloons.
He acquired much wealth and new
er was known to take drink of beer
or whisky, investigators found.