The Bismarck tribune., 1934-10-23
PRETTY BOY FLOYD
SLAIN BY SLEUIHS
IN Ohio CORNF|ELD
Four SIuqs From Guns Of De-
partment Of Justice Agents
Fell Desperate
STARVED OUT OF HIDING
Remains Tight-lipped on Mass
acres; Admits Identity
Before Dying

East Liverpool, O., Oct. 23.-tR-
Charles Arthur Pretty Boy Floyd,
the terror Of the Oklahoma Badlands,
lay on an undertaker's slab here
Tuesday in expiation Of his 10 years
Of crime.
His black, patent-leather hair
slicked down meticulously even IN
death, .the braggart sought for the
infamous Kansas City Union station
massacre year ago last June bore
the marks Of four bullets, fired at his
back.
The law finally caught up with the
desperado, listed as public enemy No.
/ since John Dillinger fell under q
rain Of lead in Chicago three months
ago, on an isolated farm, seven miles
north Of here, late Monday.
An Ignominious End
For Floyd, who boasted he never
would be taken alive, it was an
ignominious end. Alone when fed
eral and city officers poured DEATH
dealing fire at his retreating figure,
the bandit charged with the deaths
Of at least seven men remained q
solitary figure in death.
His mother, who had indicated she
would come to East Liverpool to
claim the body, advised Coroner E.
r. Sturgis to send it to her home at
Sallisaw, Okla, for burial.
Stureis waS completing Z piece
meal and perfunctory inquest Tues
day, gathering bits Of evidence from
department of justice agents and
East Liverpool police to complete the
record. BY afternoon he expected to
turn the body over officially to
mortician, for return to the state
which witnessed SO many OF his
bloody escapades.
His nemesis was Melvin Purvis OF
the department Of justice-the man
who got Dillinger-aided by three OF
his agents and four East Liverpool
policemen.
So lacking in drama, so quick, was
the death Of the desperate that 1t
shocked the peaceful countryside only
after the full import Of the Staying
became known.
Shot In Corn Field
Floyd crumpled up in q corn stubble
field, 500 feet from corn-crib where
he had taken momentary refuge, be-
fore heading toward q wooded ridge.
Only an hour before he had appeared
at the Ellen Conkle farm, tired, dis
heveled, dirty. Hunger had driven
him out Of Beaver Greek valley in the
sparsely settled Spruceville section.
He raped at the back door OF the
house. Mrs. Conkle, cleaning
smokehouse nearby, called response
to the stranger.
"I'm lost and want something to
eat" said Floyd "1ll pay you"
Mrs. Conkle fixed q meal for him.
Floyd washed up in the kitchen. Mrs.
Conkle told him to go out on the
porch until his meal was ready.
Floyd talked. He asked for newspa-
pers. Mrs. Conkle grew suspicious.
The desperate manufactured
story. He and his brother had been
hunting Sunday. he said.
Widow Suspicious
1OO OVA uOut 04uA ASAO 0v AAA6AAss
do your" asked the widow.
Floyd changed tactics. ITO tell you
the truth, lady," he said. II got drunk
last night, and I don't know where I
am exactly. I'll pay you II you will
drive me into Youngstown"
youngstown is some Is miles north
Of here.
Out in the farmyard, he met Stew
art Dyke, q brother Of Mrs. Conkle,
who had been husking corn, and ask
ed for q ride to Youngstown. Dyke
refused. He had to 60 home, he said.
"I'll take you to Clarkson, though"
offered Dyke.
He backed up the car. Floyd was
In the rear seat. Mrs. Dyke sat with
her husband. At that moment two
automobile loads Of officers appeared
in their cars. Floyd paled. He barked
at Dyke.
Drive behind the corn crib" he
ordered.
Dyke started the car.
"0et going!" shouted Floyd. with
burst Of profanity.
The desperate pulled . gun and
jumped from the car. In split Sec
ond he had sought refuge under Q
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