Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1942-12-29
G-Men Stay
Two, SeizeFive
In Touhy Gang
Bonghort Also Taken
As Hoover Leads Raid
On Chicago Hide-out

BY the associated Press.
CHICAGO, Dec. 29.-The "Ter-
rible Touhy" gang, described by
FBI Chief J. Edgar Hoover as
1.-The most vicious and most dam
gerouS the country has ever had"
was smashed by the FBI last
night and early today, two men,
bers by killing and five by cap
ture.
Announcement of the roundup. in
which not single FBI man was in
jured despite a gun battle with the
two felons who were slain, was made
by Mr.. Hoover at Offices of the FBI.
He said he had been in Chicago,
where the gang was rounded up,
since Sunday and the seizure repre-
sented weeks of careful planning
and timing.
The gang had been hunted since
October 9, when Roger Touhy, lead
er Of the gang that ruled Chicagos
Northwest gang circles during the
prohibition area, and six others
fought and dubbed their way out
vi SlaLGN ll4C liCd1
Joliet.
Arsenal Uncovered.
Touhy and his first lieutenant,
Basil Hugh (the OWD Banghart,
a desperate criminal who boosted
mo jail can hold me-" surrendered
to FBI agents this morning without
a shot being fired With them was
Edward Darlak, 80, serving 1879 years
imprisonment for the murder of a
policeman. Mr.. Hoover led this
raid personally.
Last night two other members OF
the gang, Eugene Lanthorn, better
known by his alias of James O'Con-
nor, and st. Clair McInerney. were
shot down when they attempted to
escape from a hiding place sur
rounded by FBI agents. Previously
Mathew Nelson 40, whose correct
name is Martilick Nelson, alias
Harold Seeger, and William Stewart,
43, had been captured secretly by
the FBI.
In the apartment where Touhy,
Banghart and Darlak were nabbed,
agents found Sl3,53327 in cash, but
Mr. Hoover said it had not been
determined Immediately whence
this money came Five revolvers,
five sawed-off shotguns and one
1920 rifle, all loaded and plenti-
fully supplied with ammunition,
confiScated.
Detailing the criminal records Of
| the gang at a press conference, Mr..
Hoover said that all the fugitives
except Nelson had remained in Chi
cago since they fled from prison.
Surrender Without Shot.
Touhy and Banghart surrendered
without a shot being fired. They
came out of the apartment, with
hands up and backs to the agents.
Banghart first, Touhy second, OAR
lax last.
The mistake made by O'Connor and
McInerney was their attempt to flee
when FBI agents called on them
to surrender in the Leland avenue
fiat. So we'll had the agents been
planted that all escape for the pair
was covered.
One of the most elaborate traps
ever laid was credited by Mr.. Hoover
with bringing about the mobsters'
undoing. He praised the co-opera-
ton of Chicago police and said three
assistant directors of the FBI helped
in the coup. They were c. A. Tolson,
E. J. Connelley and Richard Glabin.
One inspector, Myron Gurnea, and
three special agents in charge were
also in on the kill. The latter were
Spencer Drayton and S. K. Mckee
of the Washington division and w.
G.. Bannister of the Oklahoma d.
vision
Hoover Takes Charge.
Mr.. Hoover arrived unexpectedly
at FBI downtown headquarters
about l am, his movements there
after being hidden except for police
disclosures.
Touhy, A, prohibition era liquor
ruler of Chicagos Northwest side,
and Banghart, machine gunner for
the old Touhy mob and described by
Chicago detectives as the toughest
man who ever walked into their
bureau, were serving SO years each
for the 1888 kidnapping of John
Jake the Barber) Factor when they
escaped.
Bodies of the two slain men we're
removed some four hours after the
(See TOUHY, Page lA-4)
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