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Title |
Jack Durand |
Description |
Adopted at age 3 by Scott and Grace Durand of Crab Tree Farm, Jack Durand was known as the Village's "Bad Boy" for constantly stirring up trouble. In 1921, as a teenager, he was charged with stealing $1,500 worth of liquor from his family's cellar. A risky charge to press because at this point in United States history the nation was already nearing year two of Prohibition. Jack argued that his dad, Scott, had it bootlegged up from Chicago. A claim in which his parents denied and soon Jack took back that statement. After sitting in jail for three weeks, Grace eventually went to the jail, dropped the charges, and brought him home. In 1925, at 22, Jack was hunted down in Los Angeles after his "friends" and fellow gang members, James Miller (313 East Center Avenue), Franklin Patterson (701 Park Place), and George Buchard (704 East Scranton Avenue) named him leader of their gang during police interrogation. According to the three boys, Jack was the mastermind and getaway driver in the Hester White robbery. The three boys also named Jack being involved in other crimes. Such as the robbing of the wife of Mark Morton, of Morton Salts. Jacks family put up a good fight on his side. His mother testified on his innocence and so did their housekeeper, who stated that Jack was indeed home during the White crime along with the family's car. However, the jury found Jack guilty. The prosecutor built a strong case and reminded the jury that Jack is a "monumental liar." Jack denied an appeal, some speculating his decision came from a series of letters which mentioned if he appealed, his mother would be killed, her cows poisoned, and farm blown up. Jack was sentenced to 3 - 20 years. Jack served his time at Joliet Penitentiary beginning on November 16th 1925. According to the Warden of the prison, Jack shall not receive any special treatment for his social status while in his prison. Jack was released on parole in May 1928. In 1929, Jack married his childhood sweetheart, Genevieve Gerahty. in 1932, Peter Cunniff and Joseph Verdico were arrested as members of a gang who demanded $50,000 from Jack or else they will take his daughter, Patricia, who was two years old at the time. The threat came in a form of a letter as well as a phone call. Jack called the police who monitored the Crab Tree Farm property from 3:00 AM until the two men showed up at 9:00 AM to either collect the pay or steal Patricia. Due to Jacks history of crime and rumors of the Durands allowing bootlegging on their Crab Tree Farm lake access, Crab Tree Farms was searched through and through in 1934 after a daring shootout between cops and members of the Dillinger Gang outside Barrington. George "Baby Face" Nelson was responsible with shooting and killing of 3 federal agents and went into hiding. Crab Tree Farms was one of the first places searched during the hunt of Baby Face. Three copies of newspaper articles originally printed between September 11th and 30th 1921 covering Jack's arrest and/or release for stealing his parents liquor. All printed in the Chicago Tribune. 15 pages of Photocopies newspaper articles printed between June 24th and October 1925 covering the story of the boys confession in June, the hunt for Jack, arrest of Jack, the trial, and the outcome. Some newspaper articles include photos of the boys, and a variety of photos of Jack in court and touring the prison after his trial. 14 of the Photocopies come from the Chicago Tribune. One of the articles was originally printed in the Oakland Tribune. Photocopy of a newspaper article from the July 12th, 1929 Vidette-Messenger announcing that the "Bad Boy Has Settled Down." Referring to his secret marriage to Genevieve Gerahty. Photocopy of a newspaper article from the July 16th, 1929 Belvidere Daily Republican newspaper showing a photo of him and his newly wed bride, announcing their marriage. Nine Photocopies of newspaper articles originally printed between July 12th and July 14th, 1932 announcing the arrest of the culprits involved with demanding $50,000 from Jack Durand and threatening to kidnap his daughter. This story was published in a variety of newspapers across the country including papers based in Illinois, Missouri, California, and South Dakota. Photocopy of a newspaper article originally published on November 28th, 1934 in the Wilmington News-Journal covering the deadly shootout in Illinois and manhunt on Crabtree Farms. Copy of Patricia Durand's obituary, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 85. |
Caption |
Jack Durand Liqour Theft |
People |
Durand, Genevieve Durand, Grace Durand, Jack Durand, Scott Durand, Patricia |
Search Terms |
Newspaper Obituary John Dillinger George "Baby Face" Nelson Gangs Crab Tree Farm Crime Robbery Prohibition 313 E Center Ave 701 Park Pl 704 E Scranton Ave Joliet Penitentiary Kidnapping |
Collection |
Personalities |
Object Name |
Documents |
Object ID |
Doc 598 |