The Wild and Deadly Times of Chicago Mobster Frank McErlane
This Largely Forgotten Gangster Unleashed A Reign of Terror on Chicago's Streets During the Infamous "Beer Wars"
Though largely forgotten in the modern era, in his heyday bootlegger and gangster Frank McErlane was a terror on the streets of Chicago. At one point he was described by police as the “toughest gangster of them all.” As well as being called “The most brutal gunman who ever pulled a trigger in Chicago” by the Illinois Crime Survey.
He is credited as being the first person to use the deadly Thompson submachine gun in the city of Chicago, prompting both the police and Al Capone to decide that they needed to incorporate the weapon into their respective organizations.
A remorseless killer, he is also credited with inventing the “one-way ride” which he took more than a few of his enemies on.