The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-03-06
KING OF
GANGSTERS IS
Slain IN AUTO
John 0berta Is Taken for
Ride by Rival Thugs and
Shot to Death.
BODYGUARD is KILLED
Feud Fever Flares Anew in
Chicago: Highway Cops
Find Bodies.
Enited Press

BIZ United Press
CHICAGO. March Gums in
Chicago gangland. silent except for
occasional splutteringS since the ST.
Valentines day massacre OF 1879,
claimed two more victims Wednes-
day night. a member of the gang
400" and his bodyguard, and made
the wife of the late notorious Tim
Murphy a widow for a second time.
John Dingbat) Oberta, who rose
from an uneducated bad boy
around the stockyardS to an imlnac-
ulate cane and spats night club fig
ure with the advent of prohibition
and its illegal beer traffic, was the
chief victim.
Kidnapped with his bodyguard,
Sam Malaga, Oberta was driven to
a lonely highway west of Chicago
Ridge, q suburb, in his own $4,000
Lincoln automobile, by enemies.
supposed to be members of a rival
rum-running gang headed by Joe
Salts.
Shotgun Ends Life
A shotgun apparently was pressed
against the south side gangstei r
head and discharged. His body
guard leaped from the machine. it
seemed and was Tiddled with bull
let's He was found in a muddy
ditch, strangely the very positionA
which Frank McErlane, toughest"
of the tough south side boys, had
told police a few days ago to look
for four aSsailants who entered his
hospital room and tried to assaS@
Sinate him.
Look for 'em in ditch" Nc
Erlane, credited with originating
the taken for ride phrase, told
police who questioned him as to
who had attacked him in the room,
they are rats, and they will die like
rats, in a ditch
McErlane is still at his home with
four bullet wounds suffered in the
exchange Of shots at the hospital.
Mrs. Oberta, a bride of eleven
months, was reported near a physi-
cal breakdown in the magnificent
home maintained by her husband,
who operated florists shop as well
as being a member Of a clique Of
beer runners headed by Spike
O'Donnell.
Found by Highway Police
Less than two years ago, Mrs.
Murphy was widowed when her tall
husband, notorious gangman and
labor. leader, stepped to the door
Of their home and was riddled with
bullets.
County highway police passed the
spot where Oberta's car was found
about p. m, and when they re-
turned at $50 p. m. they made the
grewsome discovery.
Police said Oberta and his COM
panions had been frequenting a
roadhouse on the southwest side,
and apparently the slayers had kid
naped him when he was leaving.
Another machine escorted the VIC
tim on his last ride and picked up
the actual killers, police believe.
Oberta, one of the swankiest Of
gangmen, first gained notoriety
when he was indicted several years
ago with Joe Salts and Lefty Koncil
for the murder of John (Mitters)
Foley. The case was nollc pressed
after Salts and Koncil were acquit-
ted.
Active in Politics
He became active in politics in
the Thirteenth ward two years ago
and was elected Republican ward
committeeman, but was defeated for
reelection. He often was arrested,
generally while dressed in evening
clothes, but never convicted of any
crime.
One Of Oberta's last known acts
was to act as best man for Sergeant
James Burns Of the Cleveland police
force, who was married Feb. 81, to
Mrs. Flor ence Masterson Richter, a
widow. The event was celebrated
at huge dinner in a Loop hotel
and attended by 200 guests, includ-
ing, it is said, Joe Salts and Terry
Druggan. Oberta paid the bill.