Facts on John Dillinger from Dillinger, The Hidden Truth by 7ony Stewart
In April 1934, Dillinger’s girlfriend Evelyn “Billie” Frechette pleaded with him not to drive to his father’s farm in Mooresville, Indiana while a nationwide hunt was underway. Dillinger remarked,
“Now Billie, who is smarter me or the cops?”
This was Dillinger’s character; he was always trying to outsmart the cops. A former FBI agent who was involved in the Dillinger case made this statement,
“It was all a game to Dillinger. It was his wits against the FBI’s wits, and Dillinger was winning.” Retired FBI Agent
“During Dillinger’s visit to his father’s farm he posed for pictures holding the wooden gun he used to escape the Lake County Crown Point jail in one hand and a 1921 Thompson machinegun in the other hand. This was at the same time the FBI told the press they were hot on his trail. When the press got word that Dillinger had paid his father a visit, it made front-page news and made the FBI look like amateur cops.
Dillinger’s last girlfriend Polly Hamilton told the FBI that he never carried a gun during the last three weeks of his life and was unarmed when the FBI killed him in Chicago on July 22, 1934. Also the so-called Colt .380 pistol or semi-auto" handgun that the FBI claimed Dillinger was carrying at the time of his death was a fake. The gun was sold for the first time in December of 1934, four months after his death.
Dillinger participated in three gangs, and was involved in a string of bank robberies across the country. He escaped several Police and FBI traps, broke out of two jails, raided three Police stations, and helped to mastermind the biggest escape ever from the Indiana State Prison at Michigan City.
After years of research I don’t believe John Dillinger was present during robbery of the First National Bank, East Chicago, Indiana on Jan.15, 1934. The gang got away with $20,000. On January 14, Dillinger was seen in Florida. He could not have driven all the way to East Chicago on the old two lane roads during the winter months and committed this robbery. However, John Hamilton (a member of the Dillinger gang) was present and was identified as the man who shot Officer Patrick O’Malley. The killing was later blamed on Dillinger. This was the only suspected murder that Dillinger was accused and he was innocent of charges.
Suspected Robberies by the Dillinger Gang
June 10, 1933 New Carlisle Bank, Ohio $10,600
July 17, 1933 Commercial Bank of Daleville, IN $3,500
Aug. 4, 1933 National Bank, Montpeliar, IN $6,700
Aug.14, 1933 Citizen’s National Bank, Bluffton, Ohio $6,000
Sept. 6, 1933 State Bank of Massachusetts Ave, IN $21,000
Oct. 23, 1933 Central National Bank, Greencastle, IN $75,346
Nov. 20 1933 American Bank & Trust Co, Racine Wis. $28,000
Jan. 15, 1934 First National Bank, East Chicago, IN $20,000
Mar 6, 1934 Security National Bank & Trust, Sioux Falls, SD $49,500
Mar 13, 1934 First National Bank, Mason City, Iowa $52,000
June 30, 1934 Merchants National Bank, South Bend, IN $29,890
Total $302,536
Author Quote
“John Dillinger was clever, daring and even comical. He was out to get the last laugh and fool the Feds (FBI). For close to seventy years after Dillinger’s death we are still hearing many one-sided stories. My new book brings forth a new perspective on the Dillinger story with the help of my Great Aunt Beryl Ethel Hovious and many others who have contributed over the years.
As the author, we need to focus on the facts, defending and preserving historical accuracy to the highest caliber. It's time to insert fidelity into the foundation of history, to correct the myths passed on for generations. If history means anything, it means preserving the past. Good or bad, right or wrong its all the history.” 7ony Stewart, author
CONTACT THE AUTHOR
Dillinger72234@aol.com
