Faded Glory: Dusty Roads Of An FBI Era
The shootout at Little Bohemia lodge, near Mercer, Wisconsin in 1934, and the killing/wounding of bystanders by FBI Agents, was a classic example of "Murphy's Law" when it comes to a dangerous arrest situation. Many of us have experienced it.
Dillinger checked into the lodge with his full accompaniment of well-dressed associates: Homer Van Meter, John "Three Fingered Jack" Hamilton, Tommy Carroll, and the killer's killer himself, Lester Gillis, aka "Baby Face Nelson." Little Bohemia's owner recognized the outlaws. The owner also recognized that each man had bulging armpits, a fashion resulting from carrying .45 caliber handguns in shoulder holsters. In part by smuggling messages written in matchbook covers, Little Bohemia's owner secretly notified relatives, who contacted the Chicago Bureau of the FBI.
Although Dillinger and his gang escaped out the back, 3 of their girlfriends/wives were taken into custody.
During the shootout, Special Agent, Carter Baum lost his life (killed by Baby Face Nelson) and Special Agent J. C. Newman was seriously wounded.
Subsequent to the Bohemia shootout, the Bureau conducted an extensive review of all the facts of the incident and the internal investigation was assigned to Hoover's right hand man, Harold Nathan. While the Bohemia scenario was destined for problems from the outset, the raid in the dark, the loss of "surprise" and the drunken occupants all aided in the disaster. There were no hand held walkie talkies then, and the necessity of setting up the arrest plan "on the fly" is clearly a problem with the lack of communication. However, from the facts, it appears there was no alternative.
It wasn't long after the shootout that lodge owner, Emil Wanatka, turned the lodge into a "museum" of sorts with news clippings and other remnants of some of the Dillinger gang's belongings not taken by the FBI that day. Wanatka later produced, for tourists at the lodge, a bullet proof vest and a .38 caliber handgun that he claimed were the property of slain FBI Agent, Carter Baum. Upon hearing about this, Wanatka was interviewed by the FBI about these items. He clearly admitted that he had concocted the story of these items belonging to Baum, and during the interview even admitted that his photo in the lodge, standing with Dillinger, was a fake and that he superimposed Dillinger's photo. Wanatka agreed he'd cease his advertising campaign that he had some personal and professional items belonging to Carter Baum.
You can read the 2 page Tolson memorandum of the Baum incident here - page 1
You can read the resulting interview with Wanatka here - page 1
"Little Bohemia still bears the scars of that fateful night. The walls are riddled with bullet holes, shattered windows are preserved for posterity. Vintage newspaper headlines cover the vestibule walls.
Though no longer a lodge, Little Bohemia is a popular supper club where diners can enjoy exquisite walleye or roast duck and gaze at personal items left behind by gang's hasty departure. The lodge bar, with its big stone fireplace, mounted animals and hardwood paneling, is a quintessential northern Wisconsin gathering spot.
Little Bohemia is located on Highway 51 in Manitowish Waters, south of Mercer. Closed off-season (January to April), the restaurant does brisk dinner business the rest of year and serves lunches in July and August. Phone 715-543-8433 for reservations."