Background | Prison Packets | Mugshots | Identification Books | Governor McNutt Files | Gang Members
Background
John Dillinger's life and crimes made him Indiana's most notorious criminal. Interest in him and, consequently, in records of him at the Indiana State Archives is high. This text describes what is currently available on Dillinger and his gang in the Archives' collections.
No doubt because of their notoriety, Dillinger's and the Dillinger gang's prison records received extra attention, which inadvertently caused some records to vanish before coming to the Archives. In general, efforts to care for the packets of the gang members led to their removal from their specific record series and their location and relocation in "safer" places, which effectively made them less and less accessible.
Dillinger's Indiana State Reformatory and a limited Indiana State Prison record are available at the State Archives. As a service to our patrons, we have provided a webpage devoted to the inventory of the records from the Reformatory. Visitors will note that some of the materials remain confidential.
Prison Packets
Prison packets contain a varying amount of documents and information. Essentially, they were designed to contain any loose papers that were generated in the course of serving a term. Walter Detrich's packet, for example, contains 39 items, from the receipt for his personal property surrendered upon arrival at the Prison to the commutation of his sentence.
While most of these documents are forms with meager informational value, there are some more interesting records included. One such is a letter written by Detrich requesting the return of $20.13, which he claimed had been taken from him: "That is enough money to make me independent of my relatives for a year and that in itself means a whole lot to me."
Because the state correctional institutes sampled and retained only 5% of their prisoner packets before transfer to the State Archives, many Dillinger related records were destroyed. Packets exist for these men only : Joseph Burns, James Clark, Russell Clark, Walter Detrich, John Dillinger, Joseph Fox, John Hamilton, James Jenkins, Charles Makley, Harry Pierpont and Edward Shouse.
Mug Shots
Copies of mug shots are available through the Indiana State Archives. It is highly recommended that one does not purchase illegal copies through other sources. Prisoners' images from the State Prison and the State Reformatory are the sole property of the state of Indiana, and should not be posted on any website or in any publication without permission from the Indiana State Archives, even if the copies were purchased from mug shots or reward posters issued by other law enforcement agencies. If the mug shot was originally taken at the State Prison or the State Reformatory it belongs to the State of Indiana.
Mug shots follow a standard format. On one side of a roughly 4x5 inch card are two photos, one frontal and one profile view of the prisoner. On the reverse is the basic information on the individual: identification number, name, age, crime, sentence, criminal history and so on.
Mug shots exist for these men: Joseph Burns, James Clark, Russell Clark, Walter Detrich, John Dillinger, Joseph Fox, Eugene Garnett, John Hamilton, Charles Makley, Harry Pierpont, Edward Shouse, Homer Van Meter.
Identification Books
Identification books are very large, standardized volumes recording data on each prisoner's stay at the institution. Walter Detrich's State Prison entry reads as follows:
Register number: 14351
Name: Walter E. Detrich
Alias: Walter E. Dedrich
Color: White
County: Vermillion
Crime: Bank robbery
Sentence: Life
Sentenced: 1-3-1931
Age: 26
Nativity: Mo.
Occupation: Plumber, steamfitter
Previous record and identifications: Wanted by Police Dept. Los Angeles, Calif. Escaped from prison enclosure 9-26-33 Ret escape 1-10-34 In re #288 3-3-44 Return from court 3-13-44 No longer wanted by Los Angeles Calif. Police. In re #5896 7-19-45 Remanded USD Ct. Ret sme day Paroled 1-8-53 12-21-56 Disch. by Exec. Order 21890.
As the identification books were considered the permanent record for a prisoner, no sampling process was followed; consequently, an entry for each gang member who served time in an Indiana state institution should exist. Dillinger was an exception. His record from the Reformatory is available, at the Archives' location A6145, No. 14395. His State Prison entry, though, had been torn out of identification book #3 many years ago. Those missing pages have since been returned after being handed over to the FBI during an investigation.
Governor McNutt Files
On 3 March 1934, John Dillinger is alleged to have used a wooden pistol to escape from the Lake County Jail in Crown Point, Indiana. The escape provoked a public response of nearly universal outrage, as well as an official investigation from the Governor's office. The principal focus of the anger was the apparent friendliness and laxity of the Lake County sheriff and prosecutor; they treated Dillinger as a celebrity, even posing for photos with him.
Gov. McNutt answered the numerous letters of complaint about the incident with the unvarying refrain: "The Indiana law does not give me any authority to remove from office a County Sheriff or a Prosecuting Attorney."
Two folders of correspondence, newspaper clippings and reports on the escape and subsequent manhunt are in the McNutt papers for 1934, at A7135.
GANG MEMBERS
These men are listed in Cromie and Pinkston's Dillinger: A short and violent life as being members of Dillinger's gang: Burns, Joseph; Clark, James; Clark, Russell; Copeland, Harry; Detrich, Walter; Fox, Joseph; Goldstine, Sam; Gray, Jack; Hamilton, John; Jenkins, James; Makley, Charles; McGeoghagen, Daniel; Murphy, Edward; Northern, Earl (left behind in Michigan City jailbreak); Pierpont, Harry; Shaw, William; Shouse, Edward; and Van Meter, Homer.
However, it is more appropriate to look at these men as a network of accomplices who occasionally worked together. Below is a loose sketch and not meant to be complete.
Dillinger Accomplices
Mooresville 1924
Edward Singleton
John Dillinger
Summer 1933 After Parole White Caps
Sam Goldstein
Clifford Mohler
William Shaw
Paul Parker ISR #23663
Summer 1933
George Whitehouse
Frank Whitehouse
Clifford Mohler
Fred Brenman
September 1933
Harry Copeland, ISP12231, 21792
Homer VanMeter, ISP 11561
Hilton Crouch, ISP 12347, 16730
Merritt Longbrake
Michigan City Escapees
Joseph Burns (real name John C. Heaps) ISP 8073
James Clark, ISP 14352
Russell Clark, ISP 12261
Walter Detrich, ISP 14351
Joseph Fox, ISP 13883
John Hamilton, ISP 11963
James Jenkins, ISP 13100
Charles Makley, ISP 12636
Harry Pierpont, ISP 11014
Edward Shouse, ISP 13915
After Crown Point
Homer Van Meter
Possible contact with Joseph Burns
Merger with Nelson
Baby Face Nelson
Tommy Carroll
Eddie Green
Known Informants
Harry Forster
Meyer Bogue
Fred Brenman
Original Gangs
Culver Bandits/ Burns Gang
Joseph Burns (real name John C. Heaps), ISP 8703
Joseph Byers, ISP 8706
Art Silbert (Abe Silver) ISP 8704
Peter Fox (Charles Penders) ISP, 8705
Badgley-Clark Gang
Frank Badgley, ISP 9658, 12174, 23887, 24277
Russell Clark, ISP 12261
Edward Clark
Charles Hovious
Joseph Fox (13883)
Martin O’Leary (13884)
John Hamilton
John Hamilton ISP 11963
Ray Lawrence ISP 11962
Harry Pierpont’s Accomplices
Earl Northern ISP 12354, 18194
Everett Bridgewater
Thaddeus Skeer
William Berhens, ISP 12491 and 17432
Baron Lamm Gang
Baron Lamm
James Clark
Walter Detrich, ISP 14351
Friends
Charles Northern, ISP 13354
Mary Northern Kinder
Dale Kinder
William Behrens, ISP 12491 and 17432
Dick Day,
Maurice DelaTour, ISP 12217
Martin O’Leary ISP 13884
Note to researchers: Inmate #14395: John H. Dillinger = John Herbert Dillinger, the son of John W. Dillinger, sometimes referred to as John W. Dillinger Sr. Items are listed in order, as they appeared in the original packet.
Item # | Date of Document | Contents | Condition/Description |
Created 9-16-24 |
Packet Cover, #14395, Parole #GP 1110 | Binding 1/2 Torn | |
Created 9-16-24 |
Photo Inside Cover Sideview, frontview #14395 | Glued to Cover | |
1-1929 | Board of Pardons-Reform |
Torn in Pieces Onionskin Paper Separated from Binder | |
7-28-33 | D.O.J., U.S. Bureau of Investigation |
Edges Torn, Onionskin Separated from Binder | |
6-13-49 |
IN Reformatory letter, L.R. Schug to Noland C. Wright, Re: J.H.D. | Carbon Copy | |
1-22-35 |
Letter, Supt. Fulson Prison (Calif.) to Albert H. Mundt | Pink paper, Rough Edge | |
1-17-35 Stamped:1-21-35 |
Letter, Albert H. Mundt to A.F. Miles | Original | |
1-28-35 Stamped:2-1-35 | Letter, Mundt to Miles | Edges Folded | |
2-06-34 Stamped:2-7-34 |
D.O.J., U.S. Bureau of Investigation Transcript of Record of J. H. Dillinger Two- (2) pp. | Blue Mimeograph Paper | |
1-1-34 Stamped:2-3-34 |
Transcript of Record, J. H. Dillinger, Two- (2) pp. | Blue Mimeograph Paper | |
11-20-33 Stamped:11/22/33 |
D.O.J., U.S. Bureau of Invest. Transcript of Record Two- (2) pp. | Folded on Edges, Onionskin paper | |
11-21-33 |
Supt. to J.E. Hoover (J.H. Dillinger & Walter Steed #13292) Reverse side has red stamp of IN Ref. | Carbon Copy | |
10-17-33 Stamped:10-20-33 |
Revocation of J.H.D. Parole by Executive Order #8133 Governor McNutt | Gold Seal, Edge Fold | |
10-20-33 Stamped:10-20-33 |
Letter, Ref. Supt. to L.E. Kunkel, Warden Front side has red stamp of IN Ref. | Carbon Copy | |
10-20-33 Stamped:10-20-33 |
Letter, Ref. Supt. to L.E. Kunkel, Warden Front side has red stamp of IN Ref. | Carbon Copy | |
Stamped: 10-2-33 |
D.O.J., Transcript of Record for J. H. Dillinger | Onionskin | |
9-26-33 | Letter, A.F.D. to Governor McNutt | Carbon Copy | |
9-22-33 |
Letter, Alfred Dowd to A.F. Miles, Supt. | 1/2 sheet | |
(1933-34?) |
Pink-Note, "Headlines are full of him this morning", Miles? |
4x5 in si
Also available digitally are numerous editions of the Roster of State and Local Officials, which is printed annually. ze | |
8-1-33 |
Letter, A.F. Dowd to Frank Massey Muncie | Carbon Copy | |
7-29-33 |
Letter, (Michigan City,) Frank D. Hope to A.F. Dowd, Two- (2) pp. Reformatory Front side has red stamp of IN Ref. | Typed | |
8-1-33 |
Long Distance Telephone, Dowd to Capt. Nelson | 1/2 sheet, Pink | |
7-1-33 Stamped:8-2-33 |
Memo, F.S. Patterson to A.F. Dowd Front side has red stamp of IN Ref | 1/2 sheet, White | |
7-29-33 |
Long Distance Telephone Note, Dowd to Nelson | 1/2 sheet, Pink Carbon Copy | |
7-29-33 |
Long Distance Telephone Note, Dowd to Hope | 1/2 sheet, Pink Carbon Copy | |
7-29-33 |
Long Distance Telephone Note, Dowd to Dowd (For file) | 1/2 sheet, Pink Carbon Copy | |
7-29-33 |
Long Distance Telephone Note, Dowd to Nelson | 1/2 sheet, Pink Carbon Copy | |
7-29-33 |
Statement, William Allen Shaw #23546 RE: Muncie Robbery 6-1933 Marked with green X | Typed | |
6-28-33 Stamped:7/7/3 |
Monthly Parole Report, J.H. Dillinger - Questionnaire (Signatures) J.H.D., J.W.D. | Pink, Legal, torn edges | |
7-21-33 Stamped: 7-24-33 |
Report of Visit, Paroled Man Frank D. Hope (Signature) | 1/2 sheet, Pink | |
7-11-33 | Transmittal, Dowd to J.H.D. | 1/2 sheet, white | |
5-23-33 Stamped:5-24-33 |
Change of Address for J.H.D., J.H.D. to Supt. J.H.D (Signatures) J.H.D., J.W.D. | 1/2 sheet, white | |
5-24-33 Stamped:5-25-33 | Clerk, State Prison to Reformatory | 1/2 sheet, white | |
9-15-24 |
Parole Agreement #1110, Two sided page, J.H.D. (Signature) | Legal | |
5-22-33 |
Parole Agreement #GP1110, (Part of above Agreement) | Legal, Double sheet | |
9-15-24 |
Commitment #5417 Sheet, 10 to 20 years Assault and Battery Four- (4) pp. bound |
Legal, Edges Torn, 4 pp. Double Sided | |
9-15-24 |
Commitment #5417 Sheet, 2 to 14 years Conspiracy to commit a felony (Different from Item 35) Four- (4) pp. bound |
Edges Torn, 4 pp. Double Sided | |
5-20-33 |
Agreement to Employ J. H. Dillinger, John W. Dillinger Sr, (Signature) | 2-sided | |
5-22-33 |
Letter, Supt. Howard to Reverend (Form Letter for Local Church) Misspelled Dillinger's name (Dillenger) | ||
5-22-33 |
Letter, Re: Parole, Supt. to WH Daly, State Prison Front side has red stamp of IN Ref | Carbon Copy | |
5-18-33 |
Letter, Dowd to J.H.D Front side has red stamp of IN Ref | Carbon Copy | |
N/D |
Agreement, Unsigned (Enclosed with Governor's Parole Item #40) | 2 sided Page | |
N/D | Information Sheet, Parole Dept. | 1/2 sheet, Goldenrod | |
5-10-33 |
Executive Order #7733, Gov. McNutt, Parole of J. H. D., Gold Seal | Legal size | |
10-10-24 to 10-17-28 |
Prison Index Card, Disciplinary Board Record, IN Reformatory | 8x6 Card, 1/2 sheet, White | |
7-15-29 |
Receipt, State Prison to Reformatory for J.H.D | 1/2 sheet, White, Carbon Copy | |
7-15-29 |
Letter, Re: Transfer J.H.D. to Prison, Stoner to A.F. Miles | 1/2 sheet, Carbon Copy | |
7-15-29 Stamped:7-15-29 |
Letter, Re: Transfer J.H.D. to Prison, Waymire to A.F. Miles | 1/2 sheet, Blue | |
7-15-29 |
Letter, Re: Transfer J.H.D. to Prison, Reform to Warden, State Prison | Carbon Copy | |
7-15-29 |
Executive Order #4519 by Governor, Leslie, Transfer of J.H.D. from Reformatory to State Prison | Legal, Gold Seal | |
7-16-29 |
Letter, Re: J.H.D. new address, Supt. to J.W.D. | 1/2 sheet, White, Carbon Copy | |
7-16-29 |
Letter, Re: Transfer of J.H.D., Dowd to W.H. Daly, Warden | 1/2 sheet, Carbon Copy | |
N/D |
Reformatory Classification Record, Summary | Legal, Onionskin Torn Edges | |
N/D Dates on card 10/10/24 -10/17/28 |
Index Card, J.H.D.'s Reformatory Discipline Record, Parole Dept | 4x5 Index Card, 2 sided Card | |
4-10-29 |
J.H.D.'s Divorce of Wife, Waymire to R.E. Slater, Mail Dept. (no correspondence) | 1/2 sheet, White Onionskin | |
1-23-29 |
Handwritten Request for interview, J.H.D to A.F. Miles (Signature) | 1/2 sheet, Pink | |
12-27-28 |
Letter, Supt. to Robert J. Wade, Appearance before Pardon Board | 1/2 sheet, Goldenrod | |
12-26-28 |
Handwritten Letter, Robert J. Wade (Attorney - Martinsville) to Supt. Miles | ||
11-22-28 |
Letter, Waymire to AF Miles (30 Days Guard House) | Blue | |
11-15-28 |
Handwritten Request for interview J.H.D. to A.F. Miles(Signature) | 1/2 sheet, Pink | |
10-24-28 |
Memo, (Disrespect for Court) Supt. to Dillinger | 1/2 sheet, Goldenrod | |
10-20-28 |
Handwritten Request for Interview, J.H.D. to A.F Miles.(Signature) | 1/2 sheet, Pink | |
10-17-28 | Letter, F. Rhoades to Institutional Court, Hiding Pen & Ink and Destroying Property | 1/2 sheet, White | |
N/D | Memo from Mail Dept., Re: Pen & Ink found in mattress, R. Hinkle to Capt. L. Parkes | 1/2 sheet, Cream | |
10-17-28 | Officer's report #105, Violation of Rules, by Rhoads | ||
2-22-28 | Memo, Re: Reply to Request for Interview, Supt. to J.H.D. | 1/2 sheet, Goldenrod | |
2-18-28 | Handwritten Request for Interview, J.H.D to Supt. Miles (Signature) | 1/2 sheet, Pink | |
7-22-27 | Letter, Permission to Visit, A.F. Miles to Audrey Hancock | ||
7-22-27 | Carbon Copy of Item #67 | Goldenrod | |
7-22-27 | Memo, Request for Interview, Supt. to J.H. Dillinger |
1/2 sheet, Goldenrod Carbon Copy | |
7-22-27 |
Handwritten Request for Interview, J.H.D. to Supt.(Signature) |
1/2 sheet, Pink Carbon Copy | |
7-21-27 | Handwritten Letter, Sister of J.H. Dillinger, Audrey Hancock to A.F. Miles (Signature) | 1/2 sheet, White Lined Paper, Three (3) pp., Handwritten | |
4-25-27 | Receipt | Yellow Note, 4x5 | |
N/D | Receipt, Money for Shoes | White Note | |
3-12-27 | Report, C.F. Williams, Physician to Supt. Miles (Confidential) | 1/2 sheet, White | |
3-12-27 | Letter, (Illness) Chaplain to Mrs. Bryl Dillinger (wife) of J.H.D (Confidential) | 1/2 sheet, Onionskin, Carbon Copy | |
3-13-27 | Memorandum, Illness Waymire to A.F. Miles (Confidential) | 1/2 sheet, Blue | |
12-31-26 | Institutional Court Report | 1/2 sheet, White | |
12-31-26 | Officer's Report #245, Violation of Rules | ||
12-27-26 | Institutional Court Report, Talking in Mess Hall Line | 1/2 sheet, White | |
12-27-26 | Officer's Report for #202, Violation of Rules | ||
8-15-26 | Report to Institutional Court, Re: Sparring in Cell | 1/2 sheet, White | |
8-16-26 | Officer's Report #99, Violation of Rules | ||
06-17-26 | Supt. to Mrs. J. W. Dillinger | Carbon Copy Goldenrod | |
5-21-26 | Handwritten Letter, Mrs. J.W. Dillinger to Supt. Miles (Signature) | Stationery, Lined, 4 pp., Ink Handwriting | |
5-21-26 | Report to Institutional Court (Pants without number) | 1/2 sheet, White | |
5-21-26 | Note, Pants Issue, E.C. Moore to Waymire | 1/2 sheet, White | |
5-28-26 | Officer's Report #144, Violation of Rules | 1 pp., White | |
2-24-26 | Report to Institutional Court, Making & playing cards | 1/2 sheet, White | |
2-25-26 | Officer's Report #117, Playing Cards, Violation of Rules | ||
7-25-25 | Note, Supt. to J.H. Dillinger (Visits) | 1/2 sheet, Goldenrod | |
4-13-25 | Note, Supt. to J. H. Dillinger (Discharge from Navy) | 1/2 sheet, Goldenrod | |
1-15-25 | Discharge Certificate from Navy (Signature)(Seal)(Confidential) | 1/2 sheet, White 2 sided | |
6-11-25 | Letter, Re: Ed Singleton Supt. to W.H. Daly | Goldenrod | |
1-29-25 | Report to Institutional Court, Disorderly Conduct | 1/2 sheet, White | |
1-31-25 | Officer's Report #104, Rules of Violation | ||
1-30-25 | Supt. to F.A. Muncey Co. Flynn's Magazines | 1/2 sheet, Goldenrod | |
1-27-25 | Letter, Muncey Co. to A.F. Miles, Flynn's Weekly | 3/4 sheet, White | |
1-23-25 | Letter, Supt. to Muncey Co. | Goldenrod | |
1-19-25 | Letter, Re: J.H.D. Subscription Muncey to Miles | 3/4 sheet, White | |
1-12-25 | Letter, Re: J.H.D. Subscription, Muncey to Miles | 3/4 sheet, White | |
1-08-25 | Letter, Supt. to Muncey Co. | Goldenrod Carbon Copy | |
11-07-24 | Inmate Eligible for Parole Sheet | 1 pp. Pink, Torn | |
1-06-25 | Letter, Muncey Co., A.F.Miles, to Supt. | 3/4 sheet, White | |
1-03-24 changed to 25 | Letter, J.H.D. Subscription, Supt. to Muncey Co | 1 page Goldenrod, Carbon Copy | |
N/D | Blank Card | 4x5 Blank unattached Goldenrod | |
12-31-24 | Letter, Re: Subscription Muncey Co. to Supt. A.F Miles | 3/4 sheet, White | |
12-29-24 | Report to Institutional Court, Attempted Escape | 1/2 sheet, White | |
12-24? | Memo, J.H. Dillinger Attempted Escape, Assist Supt. | Blue Carbon Copy | |
12-29-24 | Officer's Report #137, Violation of Rules, Re: Escape | Blue Carbon Copy | |
12-01-24 | U.S. Navy to Supt. Re: Service Record (Confidential) | ||
10-31-24 | Letter, T.H. Greeson? to AF Miles | Carbon Copy | |
10-06-24 | Letter, James P. Burcham to Supt. (Reliance Specialty Co.) Screw Machine Products, 620 West Merrill Street, Indianapolis | Brown, Torn | |
09-20-24 | Letter, Information on J.H.D., AF Miles to James Burcham | ||
10-17-24 | Memo, J.D. returned on Oct 16, Assist Supt. to Supt. A.F. Miles | 1/2 sheet, Blue | |
09-22-24 | Letter, Re: J.H.D., E.F. Hadley to Supt. Miles | ||
10-14-24 | Receipt for J.H.D., Morgan Co. Sheriff | 1/2 sheet, White | |
10-11-24 | Subpoena, Morgan Co. Circuit Court for J.H.D. | 3/4 sheet, White | |
10-10-24 | Officers Report #32, Violation of Rules | ||
10-01-24 | Memo, (J.H.D. Returned 9-9) Assist Supt. to Miles | 1/2 sheet, Blue | |
09-26-24 | Receipt, Morgan Co. Sheriff for J.H. Dillinger, as witness | 1/2 sheet, White | |
09-24-24 | Morgan Co. Court Subpoena for witness | 3/4 sheet, White | |
9-19-24 | Reformatory, Bureau of Identification Conviction, Speeding 1920 | 3/4 sheet, White | |
N/D 1924? | Reformatory, Identification Classification Statement of Inmate (Signature cut off) | Legal, Carbon Copy | |
1924? | Addresses of Relatives, Dept. of Identification | ||
09-16-24 | Description of J.H. Dillinger: 5'7" height 157 lbs. weight | 1/2 sheet, White | |
09-19-24 | Biographical Statement (Confidential) | Legal size, Bottom Torn | |
09-19-24 | Letter, Reformatory School Classification & Sample of Penmanship (Signature) | 3/4 sheet, White | |
09-19-24 | Physicians Report, 5'6" height 158 lbs. weight (Confidential) | 3/4 sheet, White | |
09-17-24 | Receipt for J.H. Dillinger, Supt. to Clerk of Morgan Co. Court | 1/2 sheet, White | |
09-16-24 | Reformatory Sheet of Arrival of New Inmate | Letter, Onion skin Paper | |
N/D | Back Cover of Packet, Blank Top, Inside Label - #14395 John Dillinger G.P.#1110 | Torn & folded | |
Outside Back Cover of Packet | Blank |
Total number of pages/items:
- 1 Packet folder
- 1 Photograph (2 Views)
- 146 pages/items
8/27/98-Preliminary Inventory, John H. Dillinger Packet #14395: Transferred to the State Archives Division, IARA, by the Indiana Department of Corrections on 2/6/98
This packet was presented to F.Gerald Handfield Jr., State Archivist, Indiana Archives and Records Administration and Charles Coffey, Indiana Department of Administration, by Commissioner Edward Cohn, Indiana Department of Correction. David Patterson of IDOC was also present in the IDOC Commissioner's Office E334, Indiana Government Center-South.)