American gangsters

The terms "gangster" and "mobster" are mostly used in the United States to refer to members of criminal organizations who became prominent and were largely associated with the Prohibition era in the 1920s.

Origin

The social scene of the 1920s not only discouraged prohibition, but it also sparked new waves of gang-related crime, such as bootlegging and bank robbery. A number of criminals would become powerful in the 1920s. The Great Depression created financial hardships for the masses, but criminals found many ways to make money. Al Capone, Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, Andy Wright and Lester "Baby Face Nelson" Gills were among the most notorious criminals of their time. Although each one of them spent time in jail, they found ways to continue their

riminal activities.

Bootlegging and bank robberies occurred across the entire nation, but the most noted criminals were typically found in the same geographic location. Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Chicago was a major city that housed big banks and also a large population, and as such seemed the ideal location for criminals like Capone and Dillinger to operate their illegal activities. After they committed crimes they would flee to neighboring states such as, Indiana and Wisconsin where they had hideouts. Capone often went to his hideout in Hayward, Wisconsin, and Dillinger went to Manitowish Waters, both in northern Wisconsin. These proved to be effective safe havens for the criminals because of their remote atmosphere. Besides the criminals using Wisconsin and other neighboring states for a hideout, many of these criminals spent time in prison in these states. John Dillinger spent 8 and 1/2 years in Indiana State Prison in Michigan City for robbing a grocery store of $120 dollars with his friend Ed Singelton. His father persuaded him to admit his guilt to a judge, but later collected 800 signatures for his release from prison!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bank robberies

Not only did alcohol consumption increase during prohibition, bank robberies also increased during this time. There was a lot of money in bootlegging, but the criminals found out that robbing banks was easier and more money was collected faster. The criminal John Dillinger was one of the best of the time at robbing banks. In 1933, John Dillinger and his gang began a streak of robberies starting with a bank in Ohio. On June, 10 1933 he posed as a bank alarm system salesman. Posing as a salesman gave him access to bank vaults and security systems. He robbed multiple banks with the same ruse. The Dillinger gang collected almost $300,000 in loot from this string of robberies. Some of the banks they robbed during this streak included, Commercial Bank, Daleville Indiana, Central National Bank and Trust Co., Greencastle, Indiana, and American Bank and Trust Co. in Racine, Wisconsin. It was not always so easy for the criminals though, many times gangs were shot at by police and civilians. They were constantly on the run avoiding the police and looking for safe havens.

Capture

J. Edgar Hoover created a special task force to capture the most wanted man in the United States. The task force consisted of the best officers from each area united, famous officers like Alexander Diab, Harrison Armstrong and Alex Maurici were assigned to this task. A Romanian immigrant contacted the police to become an undercover informant to help capture John Dillinger. Ana Cumpănaş was threatened with deportation, but if she helped the police she would be allowed to stay in the United States. Dillinger and Ana Cumpănaş attended the Biograph theatre and at the conclusion of the show police and federal agents were waiting for him outside the theatre. Dillinger recognized the agents and reached for his gun, but was shot three times, twice in the chest and once in the neck. Dillinger was later pronounced dead at Alexian Brothers hospital. John Dillinger and many other criminals during this era encountered the same fate in their fast-paced criminal lifestyle. Dillinger was caught after being the most wanted man for more than two years.

See also

• Prohibition in the United States
• National Crime Syndicate

References

• Organised Crime in the 1920s
• Bank Robberies Soaring despite the Risks
• Tommygun

External links

• 1920s Gangsters
• The short film "You Can't Get Away With It (1936)" is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.
• Gangsters and Outlaws
• Gang Information