The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-03-08
By BRUCE CATION

Tor Colonel ROBERT lSnam HanQOlQn,
founder and head of the Chicago As
ISOLATION of Commences Secret Six, !"
and Alexander G. jamie, who directs
this crime fighting organizations &C
tivities.
1.-The syndicate" says Jamie, sis
made up of small army Of desper-
ADDE'S, and, from glimpses we've got.
its makeup sounds like an Edgar Wal
lace thriller. The man at the head
of it, whose identity we haven't yet
discovered, Is evidently highly cap
able business executive.
1.-THE syndicate members seem ori-
ginally to have been bank robbers.
They also have dabbled in booze run
ming, hi-jacking and in gambling
But kidnapping is their main business,
now that they've found out how pro-
fitable 1t is.
"Our investigations have shown that
most Of Chicago's borderline charac-
tiers with the exception of the AL Ca
pone gang-with which the syndicate
has definite working agreement
have been victimized.
"Galnbler after gambler In Chicago
and downstate has been victimized.
Now, however, it seems that the ring
has taken about every possible VIC
tim from the rackets and Is branch
ing out to seize reputable citizens
The seizure Of Woolverton, the bank
err, is evidence of this" ).
Indeed, Colonel Randolph himself
has been threatened with kidnapping,
and he admits that he takes the
threats seriously enough to refuse to
ride in his auto without having the
doors locked and q loaded pistol on
the seat beside him. It also has been
reported that the gang once laid plans
to kidnap General Charles Gates
Dawes, recent ambassador to Great
Britain.
GUARDED :.
Prominent Chicago gamblers. such
as Bill johnson, Billy skidmore. and
others. never go anywhere without
armed guards, because OF their Tear
of kidnapping. But 1t isn't the under
world alone that Is afraid. Homes
on Chicago's exclusive north shore
district are thoroughly guarded by
private watchmen, for fear that the
gang will seize the children Of wealthy
business men.
Pat Roche, famous investigator for
the states attorneys office here
managed to round UP one group OF
kidnapers a short time ago-though
they weren't the big shots Of the gang
This was after DR.. and Mrs. Gecht
had been kidnapped. DR.. Gecht was
released to go for the ransom money
$4,000, and Mrs. Gecht was held as
hostage. Two days later DR.. Gecht
paid $4,000 and his wife was freed.
It happened that one Of the KID
naper, Gus Sanger, fell for Mrs. Gecht
in q big way, and after the couple
had been released Sanger called hel
up and asked her for date. She
went to Roche about 1t, and he adj
yised her to make date and let him
know the time and place.
She did. The kidnaper arrived tc
keep it, and was promptly arrested
by two of Roche's officers. Sanger
named his associates, and shortly
afterward former Assistant States
Attorney Ward salwell. William
Thomas, John J. Pingera, Edward
Finnan and Louis Alteri were ar.
rested. Together with Sanger, they
now are awaiting trial.
TRANSPORTATION
The transformation Of kidnapping
from q crime by individuals into ar
organized racket really began In De-
troit, about seven years ago. Fret
Burke and two hoodlum pals namet
Joe O'Reardon and Johnny Reid de.
cided that the big-time gamblers II
Detroit might as well start paying To-
the privilege Of freedom.
AS their first victim they picket
q prominent gambler. from whom
they had little trouble in mulctin(
$4,000. They tried 1t again, picking
another gambler. At first he refused
to pay, but when they tied him up Il
a barn and fired = few rounds Of ma
chine-gun bullets at spot foo
from his head he changed hts mind
They got 10000 for his release.
Then Burke moved on to Chicag'
ana Reid got killed. and the g4ng wa
reorganized. Harry Hallisey tool
charge and extended the gangs &C.
tivities.
Hallisey ran . speakeasy IN down
town Detroit and had q lot Of we'll
to-do business men for patrons. In
that way he got line on lot Of re-