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John Dillinger — Part 2

44 pages · May 10, 2026 · Broad topic: Famous Crimes & Fugitives · Topic: John Dillinger · 44 pages OCR'd
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r * J attended the conference which was held in the Chicago Bureau Office on the afternoon of July 2, 1934, at which time all Agents of thse Chisago Bureau Office were informed by ir. Cowley end Mr. Purvis that positive information had been received that John Herbert Dillinger would attend either the Biograph Theatre or the Marbro Theatre that night, in earpany with eonfidential informant Arma Sage, and another woman companion, The greater part of the eonference eongisted in explaining the mature ef the warious assiguments to be teken care of by the Agents. At ap- | proximately 8:00 o'slock, information was received by telephone from Mrs Purvie end Mr. B to the effect that Dillincer had entered the Biograph Theatre. At that tixe, Acents E, D, together with two officers of the East Chicago, Indians Police Department, were instructed te place them- selves on both sides of the entrance to the Biozraph Theatre for the purpose of effecting the apprehension of Jobn Dillinger as he energed from the theatre, <All Agents present were aware of the dangerous oharacter of Dillinger, and were instructed that no chances should be taker et the tins the atterpt would be made te effect his apprehension. I do not recall any instructions having been issued to the effect that under no cirounstances should Dillinger be taken alive. In view of the desperate character ef Dillinger and also because of his past reputation, it was probably the opinion of all Agents present that Dillinger eould mot be taken alive, but no i structions were issued that he was to be killed, regardless of the fact that he might not offer any resistance.” Special Agent C, under date of Angust 1, 1955, submitted the following signed statement as to his present recollection of the instruc tions isgued at the Chicago Office on the afternoon of July 22, 1934: "On Sumday afternoon, duly 22, 1934, the agents were called into the private office of Special Agent in Charge M. He Purvis in Chicago and present, in addition to the Bureau personnel, were Captain Tim O'Neil and Sergeant Zarcowich and, to the best of my recollection, two other members of the East Chicago, Indiana Police Department. At that tine agents were told that John Dillinger was expected to appear at one of teo picture shows that evening, A description and the kind of elothes which would be wrn by one of his women eompenions on that evening was furnished to the agents assembled. Asoording to my recollection, Mr. Purvis gave the instructions to the Agents and these instructions were confirmed by Fr. Cowley. The general instructions were as follows; . + "Gentlemen, you al) know the character of John Dillinger. If he appears at either of the picture shows and we locate him and he effects his escape it will be a disgra-:e to our Bureau, It may be that Dillinger will be at the picture show with his women companions without arms - yet, he my appear there armed and with other members of his geng. There of course Will be an widetermined element of danger in endeavor- ing to apprehend Dillinger. It is the desire that he be taken alive, if poselble, and without injury to any agent of the Bureau; yet, gentlemen, this is the opportunity that 7
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