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| Shady
Rest
Birger built Shady Rest between Harrisburg and Marion in 1924 as a "hideout" of sorts to offer bootleg liquor, gambling, cockfights and dog fights. There were few people, if any - including the police - who did not know the true purpose of Shady Rest. During the day, liquor runners from Florida rested up there before making the last leg of trips to St. Louis. The authorities never touched the hideout despite its notoriety. The hideout was remarkable in its construction: foot-thick logs, running water, a bathroom, and electricity were some of its features. It was a popular destination for locals until early 1926, when the relationship between Birger and the Sheltons fell apart. There are a number of possible explanations why the rift developed between Birger and the Sheltons, but these are not discussed here. Regardless of why the relationship broke down, it led to a feud that resulted in the gangs exchanging bloody killings in 1926 and 1927. Understandably, the violent climate kept many customers from Shady Rest. |
Birger, on porch at far right, with his gang at Shady Rest circa 1926 |
| Birger
and his gang were prepared in the event of warfare at Shagy Rest: the hideout
had an ample supply of rifles, sub-machine guns, ammo, and cases of canned
goods. Birger even had his own version of a tank, a truck sheathed with
steel plate.
But the gang warfare was ineffective in ridding the Shelton Gang from the area, so Birger found another way to get to them. He and some of his men implicated the Sheltons in the robbery of a post office messenger; their testimony helped convict the Shelton brothers to 25 years in prison. Nonetheless, Shady Rest was destroyed by fire in January 1927. Only ashes and four charred bodies remained. |
Armored truck
used by Birger's men
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really began to deteriorate for Birger when Harry Thomasson, 19, was arrested
on a robbery charge. Franklin County State’s Attorney Roy Martin suspected
the young man also was involved in the December, 1926, slaying of West
City's Mayor, Joe Adams. Thomasson, who had begun to suspect that Birger
himself had blown up Shady Rest, killing Thomasson’s brother Elmo, eventually
confessed to Adams’ murder and implicated Birger.
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Onlookers and the charred ruins of Shady Rest |
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Last
updated July 31, 1999.
Please
send comments & suggestions to Curt Westra: cwestra@oocities.com
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