It was 76 years ago today that John Dillinger ( or somebody who looked like him) was executed on a sweltering night in Chicago. Was it Dillinger who bought it out side the Biograph Theater that night? The FBI says yes, but they have yet to explain how the guy managed to change his eye color after death, or grow extra teeth.
One thing everyone seems to agree on though is whoever died that night didn't have a chance. There was no attempt to take him alive. The saw him, and they shot him. None of this "Stop or we'll shoot stuff."
The only federal warrant on this guy was for taking a stolen car across state lines. He had never been convicted of a murder, and had only been accused of one, shooting a cop in self defense. Most witness were unsure if it even was Dillinger who was the one who shot the cop, or even if he was there at all that day. Most witnesses also claimed whoever it was who killed that cop had returned fire, but had aimed low.
Dillinger was a bank robber who put people in danger with his antics, and hung out with murderers, but he never shot a man in the back, something "the good guys" didn't hesitate to do on the night of July 22, 1934.
Dillinger: Dead or Alive?
Sure, we all know about Jack "Legs" Diamond. The guy bounced back from four hit attempts before finally taking a few fatal slugs in the head. The thing we don't know is who gave the order that sent this famous bootlegger on the long dirt nap.
Most people assumed it was his old pal Dutch Schultz who finally found some bullets that wouldn't bounce off of Legs, but there are rumors it may not have been the Dutchman, or anyone else in the rackets. In 1974, author William Kennedy quoted Albany Democratic party boss Dan O’Connell as saying that he sent Albany police to execute Diamond. Seems this guy had a low tolerance for guys like Legs and wasn't worried about things like laws when it came to keeping his town racket free. Or maybe he just didn't want any competition. Either way Dutch was pleased.
Jack 'Legs' Diamond: Anatomy of a Gangster
The GhastlyOnes
Dig surf music? Like your tunes with a dash of creepiness? Then these boys might have the sound for you.
"Those big-shot writers could never dig the fact that there are more salted peanuts consumed than caviar." Mickey Spillane
Mickey Spillane! I never met the guy, but I'm sure we would have hit it off. This guy could churn out the yarns! His Mike Hammer novels are great, but my favorite was one called The Long Wait. When ever I wasn't busy greasing the hand rails in the handicapped stall at the truck stop, or pissing in the gold fish tank at Walmart, I would be often perusing one of Mickey's fine tomes. Rest In Peace, pal!
Mickey on IMDB
According to this website I found I write like somebody named Cory Doctorow! I guess the guy never wrote any books about exploding heads or naked hookers tied to pool tables because I never heard of him.
