“Welcome to my hacienda, Mr. McQuade. How nice of you to pay a social visit.”
-Rawley Wilkes (David Carradine), Lone Wolf McQuade (1983)
Archive Page 2
11
May
12
friday movie quote
On this date in 1924, J. Edgar Hoover was appointed head of the Bureau of Investigation, predecessor to the FBI. Hoover would serve as the agency’s director until his death in 1972.
Further reading:
Wikipedia – J. Edgar Hoover
09
May
12
wicked weasel wednesday
It’s Wicked Weasel Wednesday. And not a moment too soon.
On this date in 1980, the Security Pacific Bank branch in Norco, CA was robbed by five heavily armed men. The robbers were confronted outside the bank by Riverside County Sheriff Deputies. In the ensuing shootout, one of the robbers was killed. The four remaining robbers stole a car from the bank’s parking lot and fled the scene.
The pursuit went on for 25 miles and extended into neighboring San Bernadino County. Units from the CHP and San Bernadino County Sheriff’s Department, including a helicopter, joined in the pursuit. The robbers fired at officers and civilian vehicles during the pursuit. At one point, the robbers stopped and set up an ambush for police. RCSD Deputy Jim Evans was killed. Officers in the helicopter had tried to warn him of the ambush, but an incompatibility between the RCSD and SBCSD radios prevented him from receiving the warning.
The robbers fled into a wooded area near Lytle Creek, CA. Police pursued the robbers. One of the robbers was killed in a shootout with police. The remaining three surrendered.
The three survivors were tried and convicted of multiple felonies. They’re all serving life sentences without possibility of parole.
Further reading:
RCDSA – Norco Bank Robbery (This site includes a link to a video documentary about the robbery)
RCDSA – A list of the suspects and their weapons
Wikipedia – Norco shootout
07
May
12
babe of the week
This week’s babe is actress Salma Hayek.
On this day in 1896, Herman Mudgett (aka Dr. H.H. Holmes) was well hung. No, that’s not quite right. Hung well? No. He was really hung? No, still wrong. How about hung by the neck until dead? Yeah, that’ll do.
Mudgett, a pioneer in the field of serial killing (committing the crimes, not solving them), was one of this country’s first identified serial killers. The total number of his victims remains unknown to this day. Estimates range between twenty-seven and two hundred.
Even though Mudgett was more prolific than Jack the Ripper, he never achieved Jack’s level of notoriety. I guess he could have used a publicist. Or maybe a reality TV show.
Further reading:
Herman Mudgett article at Crime Library
On this date in 1827, farmhand Jesse Strang murdered John Whipple at the Cherry Hill estate in Albany, NY. He was put up to the crime by Whipple’s wife Elsie, with whom Strang was having an affair. Elsie even provided Strang with the gun he used, which she stole from her soon-to-be-late husband.
To add insult to (fatal) injury, John Whipple–wise to his wife’s affair and fearing an attempt on his life–actually loaded the murder weapon with the bullet that would kill him.
After the shooting, Strang ran to a local store in an attempt to establish an alibi. The police saw through his alibi and arrested him for the murder. He promptly ratted out Elsie, who was then arrested as well. Strang was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was executed in the last public hanging in Albany’s history. Elsie Whipple was found not guilty and released.
Wikipedia: Murder at Cherry Hill
On this date in 1932, “Scarface” Al Capone started his prison sentence for tax evasion. Big Al learned the hard way that there are some lines you shouldn’t cross. Lie, cheat, steal, bribe, bootleg, murder–knock yourself out, dude. But you’d damn well better PAY YOUR TAXES!
Capone was released from prison in November 1939 after 7 1/2 years behind bars. The repeal of Prohibition put a hurting on his business. Syphilis put a hurting on his brain. He died of cardiac arrest in 1947.
Lessons learned from Big Al:
1. Pay your taxes
2. Diversify your business
3. Wear a Jimmy hat
Further reading:
04
May
12
friday movie quote
“Hey, Luke…may the Force be with you.”
-Han Solo (Harrison Ford), Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977)
02
May
12
wicked weasel wednesday
Happy Wicked Weasel Wednesday.
