As the heat on the gang intensified, they needed a safe place to rest and regroup, so it was no surprise when they began talking about getting away for a "vacation." On the night of April 19, 1934, Nelson, John Dillinger, John Hamilton, Tommy Carroll, Homer Van Meter, Pat Reilly and assorted wives and girlfriends were dining in a private room at Louis' Place, a restaurant in Fox River Grove, Ill., just outside Chicago. Someone remembered there was a remote lodge, the Little Bohemia in northern Wisconsin, that was all but deserted at that time of year. The gang agreed it would be perfect and decided to leave early the next morning on the 400-mile trip.
As planned, the gang was on the road shortly after sunrise. They traveled in three cars, leaving several miles distance between each one. Van Meter was in the lead car. With him was his girlfriend Mary Conforti, 21, and her pet dog, a Boston bull puppy. Driving was Pat Reilly, a meek, good-natured Irishman who served as an errand boy and go-between for various gangs. He enjoyed hanging out with them and listening to the stories of their exploits. He was within two days of learning firsthand what their lives were ala about.
Van Meter arrived at the lodge at about 1 p.m. As they ate a lunch of pork chops and fresh-baked bread, Van Meter asked owner Emil Wanatka and his wife Nan if they could put up 10 guests for several days. The group was on its way to Duluth and wanted some quiet time before getting back to their business. Sure, said Wanatka, there was plently of room. He was happy for the unexpected guests during the off season.
After lunch Van Meter strolled around the grounds, telling the Wanatkas he needed to stretch his legs. In truth, he was studying the complex. Behind the building was a steep bank leading down to a lake. If the gang had to escape, he thought, the bank would give perfect cover.
As late afternoon approached, the others began arriving and were assigned rooms. Nelson and his wife Helen, along with Tommy Carroll and his wife Jean, were given a three-room cabin a few yards from the main lodge. Dillinger, as well as John Hamilton and his girlfriend Patricia Cherrington, were given rooms on the second floor of the main building.
For the rest of the afternoon, the recent arrivals unpacked and strolled the grounds. The lodge staff didn't find it strange that the male guests seemed especially interested in the location of the lodge's windows and doors, and the staff happily answered their questions about roads in and out of the area.
Mrs. Wanatka prepared a dinner of beef, boiled potatoes, rice, red cabbage and cherry pie for her new guests. Later in evening, as some of the women returned to their rooms and others sat in the lodge and talked quietly, Carroll invited Emil Wanatka to sit in on a card game with the men. They sat at a large round table in the barroom, but none of the outlaws drank. Carroll and Nelson, who was called Jimmy, were talkative and joked with the barkeeper and each other most of the evening. Dillinger, known as Johnnie, Van Meter (Wayne) and Hamilton (Bill) were friendly and polite, but said little.
Wanatka was relaxed and having a good time until Dillinger won the first pot. As he reached for the money Wanatka saw a .45 in a shoulder strap. Moments later he noticed similar guns on Carroll and Nelson. He remembered that when Dillinger was walking around he noticed he had a slight shuffle. He also noticed a small mole between Dillinger's eyes - two things mentioned in a recent description of the wanted robber. Excusing himself, Wanatka went into the kitchen and quickly searched newspapers for a photo of Dillinger. It was him, and Wanatka was frightened. He told his wife what he had discovered and then returned to the game. He said little the rest of the night.
The following morning after the gang ate a large breakfast of ham, eggs, bread, cherry jam, fried potatoes with onions and coffee, Wanatka called Dillinger into the office. "You're John Dillinger, aren't you?" Dillinger grinned. "You're not afraid, are you?" "Look," said Wanatka, "I just don't want any shooting match here. Everything I got to my name is right here. Why don't you do me a favor and you fellows just get out. I don't want no trouble and I won't give you any."
Dillinger patted the innkeeper's arm. "Emil, I'm hungry. I'm tired. I just want to eat and sleep for a few days. I need to rest. Give me that and I'll pay you well and then we'll be gone. Don't worry about anything." Wanatka had little option but to agree - and hope his family was safe.
Late that morning, as Nan Wanatka was helping prepare a lunch of stew, fresh bread and chocolate cake, Van Meter, Carroll and Nelson were joined by Emil in a shooting match behind the staff's quarters. At a distance of about 80 yards the gang members weren't very good, and Wanatka had little trouble outshooting them. Later, some of the men began throwing around a baseball. Wanatka's son, Emil Junior, 10, joined in but soon quit because he said Nelson was throwing the ball so hard his hand began to sting. The boy thought Nelson was a bully. Others had different impressions. |
