Herman “Baron” Lamm, the Father of Modern Bank Robbery
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About the Book
Former Prussian soldier Herman “Baron” Lamm (1890–1930) adapted his military training to a much less noble occupation after moving to America, developing a reputation as one of history’s most brilliant and efficient bank robbers. Lamm’s time fell between Butch Cassidy and John Dillinger’s notorious careers, and Lamm never received the attention of the two famous gunslingers. This first full-length biography promotes Lamm from his supporting role, tracing his criminal exploits and his pioneering use of concepts like “casing” a bank and planning escape routes. Analysis of arrest records finds Lamm’s genius as a criminal mastermind much overrated, and a detailed examination of the trial transcript of fellow gang members Walter Detrich and James Clark brings to life Lamm’s spectacular downfall.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Walter Mittelstaedt
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 271
Bibliographic Info: 28 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6559-0
eISBN: 978-0-7864-9229-9
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments viii
Preface 1
An Unarmed Prologue 5
I. Materials for a Death 15
II. Minions of the Moon: St. Bernice, 1924 34
III. Easy Money: Milwaukee, December 8, 1924 51
IV. “We always had our eyes open”: Of Hooligans and Vigilance 58
V. Under the Radar at Winston-Salem 73
VI. Death Comes to Lafayette 80
VII. The Simple Art of Bank Robbery—Frankfort, Indiana, December 3, 1930 89
VIII. Clinton; or, The Wheels of Chance 99
IX. “You’re out of luck” 125
X. After “the most thrilling manhunt ever staged in this part of the country” 138
XI. The State of Indiana vs. Walter E. Detrich and James Clark, Alias William M. Long 154
XII. Tell the Jury What, If Anything, Happened Then: The Witnesses Speak 163
XIII. The Greatest Escape 192
XIV. Laid at His Doorstep 208
XV. Who Else? 217
Chapter Notes 233
Bibliography 251
Index 255
