To the average reader of today, the methods of reporting decades ago will probably seem familiar.
Sensational headlines, inaccurate stories, leaks, and more were just as prominent then as they are now. Although you don't hear of it today much, the "art of photo enhancement" seemed to be a regular among many in an effort to make money. On one small occasion, for example, the owner of the Little Bohemia Lodge (Emil Wanaka) by his own admissions later, superimposed his photo with that of Dillinger arm in arm in an effort to sell them. Wanaka sold quite a few of these photos and some may still be in existence today.
Additionally, in attempting to attract attention to his famous lodge after the FBI shootout there, he told the public that some personal belongings of slain FBI Agent, Carter Baum, were on display. Nothing was further from the truth and after confronted about this by the FBI, he agreed not to advertise these non existent "memorabilia."
Wanaka's "antics" may be an example of just how far some would go during the Depression Era to "make a buck."
Feel free to click the links and save/download these newspapers to your hard drive and read them at your leisure. In addition to the gangster stories themselves, take note of the advertising, the cost of goods at the time, and smaller articles in general. We'll be adding more through 2009, so stop by often.
