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va @ @ ~ 39 - Personal History and Background of Louis "Lepke" Buchalter Louis Buchalter was born in New York City on February 6, 1897, the son of Barnett Buchalter, who emigrated to America from Russia and operated a hardware shop in the neighborhood of Essex Strect, on the lower East Side of New York City. His mother, Rose Buchaltcr, who is well over seventy years of age, is presently residing with her daughter, As a result of her first marriage Buchalter's mother had four children, Buchalter's father had previously been twice married, having four children, also. Buchalter has two full brothers. ° In his youth Buchalter attended public school #75 through the Sixth grade and then attended public school #62, ‘While attending the latter he assisted his father in the operation of his hardware store, until his death in 1909, Following his father's death, the family moved to Brooklyn, New York, where they were supported largely by Buchalter's half- sister. “hile residing in Brooklyn, Buchalter attended public sohocl at 54th Street and Sixth Avenue, completing his grade school eourse in 1910. He was first employed after leaving school, as a salesman for a concern cngaged in selling theatrical goocs, such as spangles, tights and costumes and also handling imported Austrian chandeliers, which were then in fashion. Among Buchalter's brothers were a dentist and a rabbi. Buchalter was first arrcsted on September 2, 1915, on a charge of burglary. He was released by the Grand Jury, after being held cighteen dayse He was next arrested January 12, 1916, on a charge of burglary, being re- leased two days later. His first real brush with law enforcement occurred on February 29, 1916, when he was arrested under the alias of Louis Kauver, at Bridgeport, Connecticut, on a charge of theft. Bychalter in discussing this particular charge stated he was accused, together with individuals whose names he did not wish to disclose, of the theft of a salesmar's hand grip out of his sutomobile and following his conviction, he was sen— tenced to the Connecticut Reformatory at Cheshire, Connccticut, which at _ that time was an*unwalled institution. He was received at the Connecticut ' Reformatory on My 18, 1916, to-serve his indeterminate sentence and was released on parole on July 12, 1917, although Buchalter claims he served less than two months before he was placed on parole. He absconded on July 23, 1917 and a parole violator warrant was issued but never executed and was later dismissed by the Board of Parole on December 9, 1931. The records reflect that Buchalter and his companions stole two suitcases containing samples of jewelry which were left by a salesman outside the doorway of.a store, these samples being valued at about 3500,