John Dillinger Federal Public Enemy Number One

FBI Calls Year of the Gangster a Crimefighting Turning Point

Mar 12, 2009

Criminals and gangsters of Prohibition and Depression era helped to shape FBI. John Dillinger, Public Enemy Number One, is subject of upcoming Johnny Depp movie.

John Dillinger was a notorious gangster of the Depression era, known as Public Enemy Number One. Interest in John Dillinger has been intensified by the movie Public Enemies, starring Johnny Depp, scheduled to be released in July, 2009. The FBI website has profiled many of the gangsters of the era in honor of their 75th anniversary. The 1930s' gangsters were important to the formation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as crime was intensifying during the Prohibition and Depression eras.

Dillinger was shot down as he left Biograph Theatre in Chicago in 1934. The Biograph Theatre still stands and was given a 1930s' facelift, along with the surrounding block, so the area could recreate the Gangster era for the movie starring Johnny Depp as John Dillinger.

1930s Depression Era

During the Depression era of the 1930's, many American people felt helpless because of their dire financial situations. Food and jobs were scarce and people were being kicked out of their foreclosed homes. People started to see the gangsters of the era as folk heroes because they took what they wanted at gunpoint. In an era when banks seemed to be betraying the people, citizens cheered on the gangsters that stood up to the hated bankers.

John Dillinger

John Dillinger was a 30-year-old man, of medium build and thinning brown hair. His roguish smile and charm captivated the public who saw the gangster as part thug and part Robin Hood.

Even though John Dillinger was a well known gangster, and was wanted for the murder of an Indiana police officer, he was not on the FBI's radar because he had not committed a federal crime.

It was 75 years ago, on March 2, 1934, that notorious gangster John Dillinger walked into a jail cell in Crown Point, Indiana. The jailer was confident that the jail was impossible to escape from, but Dillinger proved him wrong and escaped.

Dillinger was in his jail cell when the janitor entered and Dillinger jumped him, jamming a piece of wood carved into the shape of a gun into his ribs. Dillinger tricked half a dozen guards back into the cell block, took their weapons and locked them up.

Dillinger Crosses State Line and Becomes Wanted by FBI

After making his escape, Dillinger stole the sheriff's car and drove across the Indiana/Illinois state line to Chicago. When he crossed the state line with a stolen car he became a federal fugitive, under the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act called the Dyer Act. Crossing the state line in the stolen vehicle was Dillinger’s fatal mistake, because this was what made him a federal criminal.

Dillinger joined girlfriend, Evelyn Frechette, in Chicago and they drove to St. Paul, Minnesota. In St. Paul Dillinger teamed up with Lester Gillis (Baby Face Nelson) and other violent criminals.

Public Enemy Number One, Dillinger was on a violent crime spree from September, 1933 until his death on July 22, 1934, the gangster and his gang of desperados traveled across the Midwest, including Wisconsin, Indiana, Minnesota and more.

The FBI tracked Dillinger across the Midwest. Dillinger was almost apprehended at Little Bohemia Lodge north of Rhinelander, Wisconsin; but he got away.

Dillinger Shot and Killed at Biograph Theatre in Chicago

In the end it was the duplicity of a woman that helped bring Dillinger down. Dillinger had escorted his girlfriend, Polly Hamilton, and her friend, Anna Sage, to the Biograph Theatre to see a Clark Gable move on a steamy Chicago summer night.

Anna Sage had informed the FBI of Dillinger’s whereabouts, because she feared being deported. While the threesome watched Manhattan Melodrama, the FBI waited outside rather than risk shooting into a crowd. As Dillinger and the two women walked out of the theatre, Dillinger realized what was happening and reached for his pistol. Three FBI agents fired and hit Dillinger, who died shortly afterward at Alexian Brothers Hospital.

John Dillinger died on July 22, 1934 at 10:50 pm. Dillinger was just 31 years old when he died.

The copyright of the article John Dillinger Federal Public Enemy Number One in Criminals/Outlaws is owned by Christine Nyholm. Permission to republish John Dillinger Federal Public Enemy Number One in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.