Evening star., 1934-07-31

htnseH TO that station. II he had
been certain DiIlinger Was going TO a
particular theater, PIuvis would have
laid bis trap 70 get the gangster as ne
entered the theater That would have
peen preferable 70 attempting 70 take
him after the show. when crowus are
emerging.
The youthful agent in charge took
one agent with him and the pair
parked their car near the entrance to
the Biograph playhouse. From ms
seat in the car Purvis saw Dtilinger
buy a ticket and enter the show at
s.40 pm. The other agent immedl-
ately went to a telephone. called OF
the watch at the other thesters and
relayed Purvis' instructions that other
reinforcements be dispatched TO the
scene. The Orders we're TO bring ps-
tolls. but no machine guns.
Plrvis got out OF his car as soon as
Dilllnger went In the theater, bought
a ticket for himself and went inside.
II was afraid lOillinger might have
spotted us In the car and hoped to
locate him In the theater. TO make
sure he had not gone down the aisle
and slipped out an emergency exit,
PlIrvis explained. But 1t was too
dark to see faces. and the theater
was packed. I came out"
Rear Exits Guarded.
There were two rear exits. Federal
men stationed themselves where they
could guard both of them. Others
we're assigned to various posts outside
the theater-in cars, in doorways, in
TIE lobby of the theater and else
where. There were nearly a score of
agents. augmented by O'Neil and Ear
koWtch of the East Chicago police.
They tried to make themselves as in
conspicuous as possible, to disguise
themselves as ordinary loiterers, as
sidewalk "f1irts,' as men waiting to
keep appointments to see show or to
meet somebody after the show was
over.
1t was impossible to avoid arousing
suspicion Of paSsersby, neighbors and
theater attaches after Two hours of
this suspense. Persons began to col
lect, to ask one another what was
up" A large woman in q second
story window across the street never
took her eyes off Purvis and his men.
Every time ] looked up at that
woman her eyes we're boring right
through me-" Purvis said afterward.
He feared she would call police. She
did not have to-the manager OF the
theater saved her the trouble.
Before squad from the Sheff1eld
police station had arrived to inves-
tigate the managers report that a
"hold-up" was being planned, the
show was over and the audience began
to come out of the theater.
Looks SquareIy at Purvis.
Dillinger, with two woman COM
panions, was among the first to
emerge. There was plenty Of light
in front of the theater and Purvis
quickly spotted his man. Almost
simultaneously Dillinger directed an
intensive gaze at the Federal agent.
PGrvis shifted his eyes.
II don't know whether Dillinger
recognized me or not" Purvis later
told Hoover. "If he did, his face
did not betray the discovery"
The lobby and sidewalk now were
overrun with people, largely women
and children. The gangster and his
women were walking down the side
walk. Purvis moved along with them.
He made casual motion with his
hands. 1t was the signal to close in.
Just as the Government men started
to converge from all directions into
constructing ring, Dillinger sensed
trouble. His furttVe eyes may have
caught Purvis' nonchalant gesture and
OWNED its meaning. He may have
wondered at the unusually large num-
Der of grim-faced men that lined
his path-Some OF them with hands
in their pockets. Apparently he had
an intuition Of impending danger,
for he suddenly jerked his head and
looked backward for an instant.
His one quick look over his left
shoulder must have confirmed his Sus-
picions of trap. Instinctively his
hand darted into his trousers pocket
he wore no coat nor holSter-and a
.38-caliber automatic came out. BY
that act he signaled his own execu-
ton.
Three Federal agents beat him to
the draw. Four shots blazec from
three Government pistols.
The Government had caught I'D
with its No. ! public enemy.