The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-05-09
FACING CHARGES OF
KILLING, KIDNAPPING
AND BANK ROBBERY
Loot and Ransom Business of
Racketeers Said to Have
TotaIed 100000
SUSPECTED OF MINT HOLDUP
Men Are Caught in Spectacular
Raid on 'Cangster Flat
East st. Louis

Chicago, May 9.-(P-The authori-
ties have struck at gangland again
this time to capture, they claimed. q
gang of six kidnapers and bank rob-
bers whose loot and ransom money
ran into the millions, including $780,
600 taken in the Denver mint holdup
of 1922. Their proceeds were esti-
mated by their accusers at $6O,OOO,-
600, Of which 81, 0O0,0 900 was fixed as
ransom money in kidnapings.
The six were caught in q spectac-
ular raid on what officers described
as q "gangster flat" in downtown
East st. Louis. ILL.,, late Friday, as n
result Of the combined efforts OF led
eral, state, and local authorities. An
hour later they were started. under
heavy guard, In nine automobiles, to-
ward chicago. They paused over
night at Springfield.
Said by police to be remnants OF
the Cuckoo and Shelton gangs OF
southern Illinois and to have also
been affiliated with the mob" OF
Fred Burke, notorious killer, the SIX
were accused Of participation IN more
than 6 bank robberies In illinois,
Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska, IN
Guiding the robbery Of the Lincoln,
(Neb.) National bank Sept. II, 1881.
Face Murder Charges
In addition to these crimes the Of
Ulcers attributed to the gang the STAY
ing Of Mrs. Cora Garrison, wife OF
Clyde Garrison, Peoria. ILL.,, gambler
Killed oct. IT,. 1880: the killing. q
Thomas j. Rooney, Chicago labor
leader. March 10, 1881; and the KID
naping of Fred ]. Blumer. Monroe
Wis, near-beer brewer ana james
Hackett, Blue Island. ILL.,, gambler
who said he paid $150.00O or his en-
tire fortune for his release.
The accusations against the SIX
whose names were given as tommy
HAYES. Thomas O'Connor, Jack Britt,
Howard Lee, E. Hawks and Wnliam
McOuillan. were made by Roy NC
Whorter and Patrick Roche. chief IN
v~estioator for the states attorneys
office.
Among the bank robberies attribut-
ed to the gang were holdups Commune
ted at Mundelein, Clearing, ElmhurSt'
LAFAYETTE, Neponset and Marengo, Ill.,
and Walworth and Bristol, Wis.
"There were plenty Of others" salo
Roche. scattered throughout the
midwest and beyond this territory"
Nationwide Search Ends
The captures ended a NATIONWIDE
search and more than eight months
If intensive investigation, initiated
by the postal department, McWno1-
ter. 8. Chicago postal inspector said.
information obtained by federal o.
ficials was supplemented by the chi
caro and state highway police. as well
as bv the secret six" and anti-crime
business Mems organization. which Is
reported to have received tips from
within the state prison at Joliet ano
the federal p~enitentiary at Leaven-
worth, Kan. ~
Chicago police got their first init
nation Of the activities OF the gang
when detectives were working Tor So
luton of a gang killing in suburban
Cicero, Ill. They went to East St
Louis and helped make the arrests.
Telephone calls, overheard by IN
vestigators, made between members
of the gang in East st. Louis and CHI
cago, calling the branches" together
for q board meeting" was said by PC
Continued on page seven)