Contrary to what Many People Think, some of the Most Well Known Criminals from Different Periods of American History were NOT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL, OR THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE.
In some Cases They Were Portrayed that Way by ZEALOUS NEWS OUTLETS, WHO CARED FOR LITTLE MORE THEN EYE GRABBING HEADLINES. Truth was Considered to be a NEGOTIABLE PRODUCT OF DOING BUSINESS.
This is Especially True when we look at Prohibition\Depression years, ( 1920s- 1930s). Gangs, like those Frequently Portrayed in Melodramatic Hollywood Movies which Glamorized Criminals like John Dillinger, Bonny and Clyde, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, Alvin Karpis, Doc Barker etc., were Definitely Murderous and Cold Blooded, and Their Criminal Activities Captured the Publics Imagination, with some considering Them "Robin Hoods" of the Time. ( Just like Those who Thought the JAMES GANG OF THE OLD WEST were Benefactors of the Poor. Yes, People could be just as Clueless and Ignorant about Reality back Then, as They are now.)
However, Their Heyday, (Late 1920s- Mid 1930s), never came close to having a Significant or Lasting Impact on Society. Bank Robberies, the Crime They became most noted for, usually resulted in Amounts that Rarely Exceeded a few Thousand Dollars. ( Kidnapping, although far less Publicized, was much more Lucrative.)
Amounts like These would be Considered Chump Change, in comparison to Organized Criminal Activities in Large Cities. (Ironically Enough, the Immense Growth of Organized Crime in Urban Areas, Basically Coincided with the Era of the Most Notable Criminal Acts of the Better Known Bank Robbers.)
So why did the Dillingers, Barkers and Others of Their Ilk Disappear, while at the Same Time Organized Crime began to Spread into Fresh New Areas of Business and Commerce?
Look for Part 8.
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