rpbcps Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 A colleague forwarded me the picture below, showing the Birger gang firepower...note the Thompson's with the 'C' drums . The photo intrigued me, so I read up a little about Charles Birger, interesting tale, and found another posed photo online. This month is the anniversary of the public hanging of Charles Birger, 19th April 1928. Apparently the last man to be publicly hanged in Illinois. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt Chopper Posted April 12, 2023 Report Share Posted April 12, 2023 Charlie and his gang in front of the Shady Rest Road House. Next you'll have to read up on the Shelton brothers, one of his mortal enemies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Mills Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 (edited) https://thesouthern.com/news/local/history/on-april-19-1928-in-benton-charlie-birger-was-the-last-man-publicly-hanged-in/collection_70e03983-85a4-5a8c-a621-4c102828af12.html#2 Edited April 13, 2023 by Ron Mills Article link added Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
full auto 45 Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 Colt Chopper and I attended an auction that had a section of rope used to hang Charlie. It sold to someone who said Charlie was a family member. IIRC, it sold for $16,500. Needless to say, Jack didn't buy it to go with the Thompson. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted April 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 16 hours ago, Colt Chopper said: Charlie and his gang in front of the Shady Rest Road House. Next you'll have to read up on the Shelton brothers, one of his mortal enemies! You'll get me hooked on gangster history and before I know it, I'll be compelled to buy Volume two of Tracies Thompson Encyclopaedia.🙄 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HANS Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 12 hours ago, Ron Mills said: https://thesouthern.com/news/local/history/on-april-19-1928-in-benton-charlie-birger-was-the-last-man-publicly-hanged-in/collection_70e03983-85a4-5a8c-a621-4c102828af12.html#2 Does someone know the serial number of this? Many thanks! Cheers HANS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colt21a Posted April 13, 2023 Report Share Posted April 13, 2023 I had it down someplace also Terry Williams has the other 21a in his collection have pics of that one also.a super sharp one and the book "Bloody Williamson". i had a few of the areas guns Myself #6006 #5294. and Rogers cover gun was #5290 which might now be in Kentucky.Its been awhile since i did those guns including "WAR In Illinois" another good book. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Mills Posted April 14, 2023 Report Share Posted April 14, 2023 I contacted the museum today and will post the serial number here if and when they respond. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ppgcowboy Posted April 14, 2023 Report Share Posted April 14, 2023 He looked pretty happy at his last stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colt21a Posted April 14, 2023 Report Share Posted April 14, 2023 He knew he got $500 for his Thompson and $200 for the C drum. and he only paid $350.00... SO felt he made out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rpbcps Posted April 15, 2023 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2023 22 hours ago, ppgcowboy said: He looked pretty happy at his last stand. In the link posted by Ron above it says "Owens admits he was also high on morphine — though Owens said he suspects this was a habit he had established before his conviction, so the dose he got before being walked out to his death may have been commonplace for him". Bill Owens, was a board member for the Franklin County Historic Preservation Society, at the time of the article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Mills Posted April 24, 2023 Report Share Posted April 24, 2023 I never got a response from the museum. Maybe someone else will have better luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt Chopper Posted April 25, 2023 Report Share Posted April 25, 2023 Here's a link to an old thread. try using the search feature for this subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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