The Not-So-Pleasant Purples: Detroit's Gang with a Colorful Reputation (and a Shady Past)
Ah, Detroit. Motor City. Home of Motown. And, for a time, a place where a gang of rough-and-tumble fellas called the Purple Gang ran amok. Now, these weren't your average after-school mischief-makers. We're talking about a bunch of guys who'd make Al Capone look like a choirboy (well, maybe not that tame, but you get the idea).
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| What Was The Purple Gang In Detroit |
From Shoplifting to Hijacking: The Purple Gang's Rise to Notoriety
The Purple Gang's story starts in the early 1900s on Detroit's tough East Side. The Bernstein brothers, Abe, Isadore, and Raymond (along with some other fellows), weren't exactly known for their angelic dispositions. They started small, with a little shoplifting here, some "encouragement payments" there (ahem, extortion). But these guys were ambitious. They soon graduated to armed robbery and, during the roaring twenties with Prohibition in full swing, liquor hijacking became their bread and butter.
Their methods? Let's just say they weren't big on manners. They'd steal entire shipments of booze coming across the Canadian border, leaving a trail of unhappy rumrunners (and probably a few very sore heads) in their wake.
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Fun Fact: There are a few theories about how they got the name "Purple Gang." One story says it was because a member was a boxer who wore purple trunks. Another claims it was their fancy purple suits (though, let's be honest, these guys were probably more into black leather jackets).
Bootlegging Buddies and Bootleg Bloodshed: The Purples' Reign (and Reign of Terror)
The Purple Gang didn't play nice with others. They fought with rival gangs, and their reign was marked by violence. There are whispers (and some not-so-whispers) that they were involved in kidnappings and, get this, the Lindbergh baby case (though that's never been proven).
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For a while, they even worked with the infamous Al Capone, supplying his Chicago outfit with Canadian whiskey. But even that partnership had its bumps (like the time some Purple Gang members might have been involved in the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, but shhh, that's another story for another time).
By the late 1920s, the Purples were basically the kings of Detroit's underworld. They controlled gambling, vice, drugs, you name it. They even ran the local horse racing tip-off service (because, hey, gotta diversify your criminal income, right?).
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The Purple Gang's Not-So-Pretty Demise
Of course, all good things (or bad things, depending on how you look at it) must come to an end. By the 1930s, law enforcement finally started cracking down. The feds, with the help of a few snitching former gang members, chipped away at the Purple Gang's power. Shootouts, arrests, and infighting took their toll. The glamorous (well, as glamorous as gang life can be) gangster lifestyle wasn't all sunshine and rainbows.
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So, what became of the Purple Gang? Let's just say they faded away, leaving behind a legacy of violence and a cautionary tale about the not-so-glamorous side of the American dream (the dream where you get rich quick through illegal means, that is).
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Purple Gang FAQs:
How to be a Gangster (NOT Recommended): Don't. Seriously, it's a bad idea.
How to Get Rich Quick (The Legal Way): There's no guaranteed shortcut, but hard work, smart planning, and a little bit of luck can go a long way.
How to Visit Detroit and Not Get Mixed Up in Gangster Activity: Detroit's a great city with a rich history! Stick to the tourist spots and you'll be fine.
How to Learn More About the Purple Gang: There are some great books and documentaries out there. Just remember, these guys weren't exactly heroes.
How to Throw a 1920s Gangster-Themed Party (Without the Gangster Part): Now this, we can support! Get some zoot suits, flapper dresses, and some fun decorations. Just ditch the illegal activities, okay?
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