Big Crime in a Little Town?

LittleBohemia

[Edit: Small towns in Wisconsin are not known nation wide for crimes. Small town crimes in the 1930’s usually involved cow tipping, public disturbance and public intoxication. However, there was one town and one event that made Wisconsin known nationwide. It even made it onto the big screen with Johnny Depp playing John Dillinger.

In April of 1934, John Dillinger’s gang was staying at Little Bohemia Lodge in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. They took over the lodge just by an agreement between the owner and his attorney. ( Same as Dillinger’s) The gang would watch the owners carefully to make sure they would not contact the police. The owner’s wife was able to get away from the gang and mail a letter to the U.S Attorney’s office in Chicago. A few days later the FBI showed up ready to capture an organized crime gang. Throughout this shoot out between John Dillinger’s gang and the FBI, the FBI lost. The building is still intact with bullet holes in the walls and the windows.]

lb2walloflittlebohemia

As of right now, my research question is: How did the Little Bohemia shoot out affect the FBI? I was interested in this topic because last summer I visited Little Bohemia. Little Bohemia is now a restaurant located in Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. I believe that this topic is important to explore because it was right after the prohibition and it affected the crime in Wisconsin. It was an important time and connection to Al Capone (I believe). I don’t have a full understanding of what happened during this event and the connections to organized crime that I believe it had. So I hope to unfold the importance of this event through my research.

2 thoughts on “Big Crime in a Little Town?

  1. What exactly is the “Little Bohemia shoot out?” Was it just a shootout at a restraunt that started a mob war? From this post I dont have a clear understanding of what the Little Bohemia shoot out is; or even how it would connect with the FBI at all. Maybe this shootout connects with the FBI because it invovles the netorious Al Capone, a leader of organized crime, since Al Capone was smuggling and bootlegging liquor. I suggest doing an Edit on your question and give readers a little bit more background information.

  2. I’m confused as to what was Little Bohemia before it was a restaurant. I think it would be better to give a little background information about your topic before you bring up your research question because with your topic, I don’t think people really know what it is or what was going on, because I don’t and it confuses me. Who was doing the shooting, where, and when, would be important to include as well.

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