Evening star., 1936-07-09
STATE LAWMAKER
KILLED IN CHICAGO;
GANGLANDbLAMED
Legalized Betting Advocate
Shot in Auto After
Wild Chase.
PROBE INTO GAMBLING
ORDERED BY POLICE
Underworld Retaliation Seen in
Slaying-Pursuers Flee
After Firing Gunshot.
Ey the Associated Press.


CHICAGO, July 9-State Repre-
sentative John M. Bolton was assassi-
mated early today in typical gangland
style-a shotgun blast ripped through
his head after he failed to distance
pursuers in a mile minute automo-
bile chase through West Side streets.
Officials, admittedly at loss for a
definite motive, pondered theory his
efforts to legalize handbook betting
here had brought swift underworld re-
taliation. and began a new investiga-
ton into Chicago gambling.
Representative from the second
Chicago district since 1880 and re-
nominated in the April primary elec-
ton. Bolton died at the wheel of his
car. wrecked when it careened into a
trolley post, as his killers fled after
firing the fatal charge at close quarters
The 29-year-old self-made politician,
who rose to the State House after an
early career marked by association
with West Side beer runners, didn't
have chance.
Work in Gang Style.
The killers. whose number was un-
determined. worked in the style made
familiar in the gang days of prohibi-
ton, as they made the relentless,
careening pursuit that resulted in the
one outburst OF gunfire-and death.
The scene Of the shooting, Harrison
street at Washington avenue. is about
three and one-half miles west of the
Loop. At the intersection is a small
neighborhood business district. The
neighborhood is mainly residential,
and about mile west of the bloody
twentieth" ward. part of which is in
cluded in Bottoms legislative district.
Leader Of Chicago Bloc.
Bolton was leader of the Chicago
bloc in the State legislature and
author of a bill at the last session
which would have enabled the city to
license handbook betting.
The bill was approved by both
Houses, but was stopped short of en-
actment by Gov. Henry Horner's veto.
Many operators of so-called Wild
cat handbooks were reported to have
feared the law. in the belief that lin
itation of the number of licenses IS
sued would have resulted in a freeze
out" Of their business.
Bottoms brother, Joseph (Red) Boil
ton, was prohibition days beer run
ner. There were three other brothers.
including James. who died several
years ago: Robert and William.
The killing was witnessed by Harry
Elanford, AZ. who was riding in his car
when Bottoms automobile roared past,
followed by one in which, Blanford
said, several men leaned out, firing
guns"
Il stopped my car. fearing We would
be struck by some of the bullets" the
witness related. Just then the car
being shot at crashed into a trolley
pole
Gun Pushed Near Door.
Police said an examination of Boil
tons automobile indicated the killers
had thrust the muzzle of the shotgun
almost through a front door window.
which bore powder marks. Several
bullet holes were found in the rear of
the car.
Bolton, married and the foster father
OF two children, was a lifelong resident
Of the district he represented.
His wife, Marie; the two children
and his mother, Mrs. Michael Bolton,
were at a Summer home at Bass
Lake. Ind.
Chief of Detectives Walter Storms
declined to say whether he linked the
Sea RII IArc, a