Unless a change of venue is granted, Dillinger will be tried in the Criminal court at Crown Point at an early date.
John Dillinger has the reputation of being one of the most dangerous criminals in the United States, and it is the hope of the Lake county officials to convict [him] of the murder of the East Chicago officer.
The first heard from them was a telephone message from Blunk, when he called the Sheriff's office and said that himself and Saagers had been let out of the car near Peotone, Ill.
The escape of Dillinger was the most spectacular in the history of the country. When he accosted Cahoon it was supposed that he had a gun, but it later developed that it was only a wooden "gun" whittled with a razor blade from a piece of a wash board and blackened with shoe blacking.
The only clue thus far as to the whereabouts of Dillinger is that the car in which he made his escape was located in Chicago, where it had been abandoned. It is supposed that he is in hiding in or near Chicago, and has probably met some of his pals once more.
The escape of John Dillinger was due, undoubtedly, to carelessness of someone. At the present time four or five investigations have been started to try and place the blame where it belongs. There is no doubt but what the rules of the jail were violated and this will all come out in the investigations.
Dozens of stories as to how it all happened have been told, but the actual facts of the jail break are yet to be ferreted out, and when they are, the public will know where to place the blame for the escape.
It has developed that some of the prisoners knew that Dillinger was making the wooden gun and that he was going to try and escape, but they did not know how or when.
What fooled the guards in and around the jail is that they were looking for an attempt from the outside to rescue Dillinger by his pals, and the wily John knew this and chose the other way to accomplish the job.
From what we can learn there was too much leniency to Dillinger and he took advantage of it by appearing to be a model prisoner, thus making his escape that much easier.
Cahoon is charged with violating the rules of the jail by entering the cell block without locking the prisoners in their cells.
Blunk is accused of losing his nerve when he called warden Lew Baker without putting up a fight.
Attorney General Lutz ordered the arrest of the two men, and Blunk was being questioned by the Prosecutor when the arrest was made. Judge Murray, who appointed Blunk as finger print expert, hurried over to the office of the Prosecutor and a bond was arranged for Blunk and he was released, but Cahoon was compelled to remain in jail.
The government is arranging to take part in the hunt for the wily John since it has learned that he violated the Lindbergh kidnapping law when he took the two guards across the state line into Illinois.
Edward Barce, who represents the Attorney General in the investigation, says he has found no evidence of collusion but that he has found plenty of evidence of negligence around the county jail.
The County Commissioners met Tuesday afternoon and Commissioner Baran read a lengthy statement demanding the resignation of Sheriff Lillian Holley. Baran also criticized Prosecutor Robert Estill, and said he, on behalf of thousands of citizens, was demanding a rigid investigation into the county affairs. Commissioner Martin opposed demanding a resignation from the Sheriff and said he thought the Commissioners should wait until reports were made on the various investigations before any action was taken, as then it would be known who the guilt for the escape was to be charged to.
Governor McNutt may ask the Sheriff to resign, but he admits he has no authority to oust her, that being a duty assigned to the Circuit Court Judge.
There will perhaps be many developments in the tangle within the next few days.
The search for Dillinger has become nation wide, but so far no trace of him has been found. Meanwhile every bank in Chicago and vicinity is being guarded for fear that Dillinger and his gang may attempt to hold them up.
Following are some of the high lights in the grand jury report on the escape of the wily John:
1. John Dillinger should have been returned to the state prison as a paroled prisoner to serve the rest of his term.
2. Sheriff Lillian Holley had no persons in her employ who were familiar with guarding prisoners of Dillinger's type, nor was she furnished with such persons.
3. Prosecutor Robert G. Estill, his chief deputy, John Underwood, and the police departments of Hammond and East Chicago insisted that Dillinger be removed to the state prison for safe keeping.
4. Judge William J. Murray, of the Lake Criminal court, and Wm. J. Schroeder, president of the county council, decided to keep Dillinger in the county jail and therefore should be held responsible for what happened.
5. The executive department of the state did not try to remove Dillinger to the state prison to serve out the remainder of his term, and therefore should also be held responsible.
6. Factors held responsible in Dillinger's escape were: The ingenuity, coolness, alertness and reputation of the prisoner; the help of Herbert Youngblood, a fellow prisoner; laxness of jail attendants in obeying rules; collusion on the part of Blunk and Cahoon; unreliability of the turnkeys; and inexperienced guards.
7. Dillinger actually used a wooden gun to cow the guards before he obtained a real gun.
8. However, the prisoner had ample opportunity to conceal either a wooden gun or a real gun.
9. Neglect and cowardice by jail employees was primarily responsible for the escape.
10. The photograph in which Prosecutor Estill posed with his arm around Dillinger's shoulder was taken at an unguarded moment when the Prosecutor had been without sleep for 48 hours and had been under a nervous strain.
Go to "Bank Hold-up" for further information.
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