1934 Hudson similar to the one used in the South Bend robbery.
Hardy Worth the Gas
Bullets Fly and a Ringing in His Ears
As the gang led the hostages toward the car and McCormick raged with disappointment, shoots rang out once again. Another of the gathering lawmen felt he had a clean shot at the robbers and took it. Unfortunately. his aim was off. He struck Coen, who was directly in front of Dillinger. Struck in the left leg, the banker fell forward onto the pavement. Dillinger was exposed and another shot rang out. Another miss. This one tore into Stahly's side. As the bank director stumbled forward he screamed, "I'm hit" and started to crumble toward the pavement. An arm grabbed and steadied him. "Shut up and keep moving" he heard someone say as a gun barrel was poked at him. "Get in the car."
A second later, a blast of shots came from the south. The left leg of Stahly's pants were shredded by bullets that he said passed between his legs. One of the bullets, however, struck the bandit behind Stahly. He knew because he said he heard someone grunt and stumble. When they reached the curb at the corner of Wayne and Michigan streets, Stahly saw the tan getaway car. One of the bandits grabbed his arm and said "You're going with us."
"You got your money," said Stahly pulling his arm away. "Make your getaway."
One of he bandits was already behind the wheel of the car. "Come on. Get in here," he shouted. Whether he was talking to Stahly or the other robbers, however, is unknown. The robber who had tried to grab Stahly's arm suddenly ran around him and as he jumped into the car, he turned at fired at Stahly, who said he felt the bullet pass his left ear. The other two bandits began running toward the car.
McCormick, meanwhile, saw his opening. He now had a clear shot at the bandits. He raised his shotgun and took careful aim. His finger tightened on the trigger and that's when the bystander standing just to his right stepped into his line of fire to get a better look at the action.
"Get the hell out of the way," screamed McCormick. "Get out."
"To hell with you," shouted the bystander.
McCormick couldn't wait any longer. He took a step to the left and fired. The roar, heat and barrel flash must have deafened the bystander and nearly gave him a heart attack.
"Oh my God," screamed the bystander as he grabbed his ears and fell to the pavement. A moment later, still in shock and dazed, he quickly crawled on his hands and knees into a store where he collapsed.
Then all hell broke loose.
Police began firing from every direction and the bandits returned fire. Bullets began striking cars, windows, pavement and door frames. The air filled with smoke from the weapons and the metallic smell of spent bullets. Van Meter was hit on the right side of his head and someone helped him into the car. The Hudson, now riddled with bullets on all sides, pulled out and nearly rammed another car. It then turned and headed south. Police gave chase, but were soon out distanced and gave up the chase.
Later that day the gang abandoned the Hudson on U.S. Highway 24 near the Indiana-Illinois border. Once back in Chicago, Van Meter was taken to a safe house where a doctor was called in to treat him. He would survive.
Nelson divided the money into five even, but merger stacks. The members were expecting shares of about $20,000 each. Each received $4,800. Hardly worth the risk.
Back in South Bend, the town was taking inventory of damage and injuries. Patrolman Wagner had lost his life, and six citizens had been wounded. Damage to cars and buildings was estimated in the thousands (a heavy sum in 1934) and the police were once more made to look like fools. With all those police and weapons, how come not one robber was caught? Surely the bandits' luck couldn't hold out much longer. It couldn't.
It less than five months, four of the five would be dead and the fifth would be in jail.
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A second later, a blast of shots came from the south. The left leg of Stahly's pants were shredded by bullets that he said passed between his legs. One of the bullets, however, struck the bandit behind Stahly. He knew because he said he heard someone grunt and stumble. When they reached the curb at the corner of Wayne and Michigan streets, Stahly saw the tan getaway car. One of the bandits grabbed his arm and said "You're going with us."
"You got your money," said Stahly pulling his arm away. "Make your getaway."
One of he bandits was already behind the wheel of the car. "Come on. Get in here," he shouted. Whether he was talking to Stahly or the other robbers, however, is unknown. The robber who had tried to grab Stahly's arm suddenly ran around him and as he jumped into the car, he turned at fired at Stahly, who said he felt the bullet pass his left ear. The other two bandits began running toward the car.
McCormick, meanwhile, saw his opening. He now had a clear shot at the bandits. He raised his shotgun and took careful aim. His finger tightened on the trigger and that's when the bystander standing just to his right stepped into his line of fire to get a better look at the action.
"Get the hell out of the way," screamed McCormick. "Get out."
"To hell with you," shouted the bystander.
McCormick couldn't wait any longer. He took a step to the left and fired. The roar, heat and barrel flash must have deafened the bystander and nearly gave him a heart attack.
"Oh my God," screamed the bystander as he grabbed his ears and fell to the pavement. A moment later, still in shock and dazed, he quickly crawled on his hands and knees into a store where he collapsed.
Then all hell broke loose.
Police began firing from every direction and the bandits returned fire. Bullets began striking cars, windows, pavement and door frames. The air filled with smoke from the weapons and the metallic smell of spent bullets. Van Meter was hit on the right side of his head and someone helped him into the car. The Hudson, now riddled with bullets on all sides, pulled out and nearly rammed another car. It then turned and headed south. Police gave chase, but were soon out distanced and gave up the chase.
Later that day the gang abandoned the Hudson on U.S. Highway 24 near the Indiana-Illinois border. Once back in Chicago, Van Meter was taken to a safe house where a doctor was called in to treat him. He would survive.
Nelson divided the money into five even, but merger stacks. The members were expecting shares of about $20,000 each. Each received $4,800. Hardly worth the risk.
Back in South Bend, the town was taking inventory of damage and injuries. Patrolman Wagner had lost his life, and six citizens had been wounded. Damage to cars and buildings was estimated in the thousands (a heavy sum in 1934) and the police were once more made to look like fools. With all those police and weapons, how come not one robber was caught? Surely the bandits' luck couldn't hold out much longer. It couldn't.
It less than five months, four of the five would be dead and the fifth would be in jail.
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