John Dillinger's signed confession detailing holdup attempt nabs big bucks at auction

John Tufts, Indianapolis Star
·3 min read
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A young John Dillinger lurked behind a building under the cover of night, lying in wait for the 65-year-old grocer he planned to rob in Mooresville, Indiana — roughly 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis. In Dillinger's hands was a heavy bolt the 21-year-old machinist had wrapped in a handkerchief to beat the grocer into submission. Failing that, he was armed with a revolver.

Together, Dillinger and an accomplice, Edward Singleton, lingered two blocks from the grocery store. They knew it was only a matter of time before their intended victim walked past them on his regular route home. And when the grocer did, Dillinger would spring into action.

So goes the written account Dillinger signed and gave to authorities as an inmate at the Indiana reformatory in September 1924, a document that sold Wednesday for $34,270, according to a release by RR Auction.

The attempted holdup fell apart quickly, according to the signed confession, and led to Dillinger's first serious conviction in Indiana 10 years before the notorious outlaw was named 'Public Enemy Number 1' by J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI.

Related:Family won't be allowed to exhume body of John Dillinger — for now

Historical document signed by “John Herbert Dillinger,” one page, 8.5 x 14, no date but circa 1924. Indiana Reformatory document titled "Statement of Inmate Upon Arrival at Institution," listing Dillinger's crimes and sentences: "Assault and Battery with Intent to Rob, Conspiracy to Commit a Felony, 10 to 20, 2 to 14 years." The document makes note of further specifics of the crime, such as place ("Mooresville, Ind."), date ("Sept. 6, 1924"), his accomplice ("Edward Singleton"), and plea ("guilty"). It also lists his hometown, occupation ("Laborer & screw machine operator"), past crimes (a speeding ticket), and family information.

'Assault and Battery with Intent to Rob': the crime John Dillinger confessed to in Mooresville, Indiana.

Dillinger described his assault of the Mooresville grocer in detail, according to the document, which reads in typed font:

"Edward Singleton (awaiting trial) and I planned together to rob a grocery man at Mooresville, Ind. on the night of September 6th, 1924 we hid behind a building about two blocks from his grocery which he always passed when he went to his home. When he came along I jumped out from behind the building and hit him twice on the head with a bolt which I had wrapped up in a handkerchief.

He then turned and grabbed a revolver which I held in my hand. The gun was discharged when I jerked it away from him the bullet entering the ground. We then ran. I was arrested as a suspect at my father's home the following day. At first I denied any connection with the crime, but later admitted my guilt. I am guilty as charged."

If Dillinger expected to receive a light sentence by pleading guilty, he was sadly mistaken. A judge slapped him with joint sentences of 2-14 years and 10-20 years at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, according to fbi.gov. Singleton, who pleaded not guilty, received two years for his role in the holdup.

During the eight-and-a-half years he spent in prison, an embittered Dillinger met and befriended several inmates who would later join his notorious gang of bank robbers. Dillinger was paroled in 1933 and began a crime spree across the Midwest, stealing more than $300,000 in the course of a year until he was gunned down by the FBI in 1934 outside a Chicago theater.

Retro Indy:The life and crimes of John Dillinger

Other facts about John Dillinger's signed confession

Above Dillinger's signed confession was a section officials titled "Statement of Inmate Upon Arrival at Institution," which included information he provided to authorities in 1924, among them included:

  1. Where was the crime committed? Mooresville, Ind.

  2. When was the crime committed? Sept. 6th, 1924

  3. Name partner if any: Edward Singleton (awaiting trial)

  4. Where do you call home? Mooresville, Ind. (with father)

  5. What is your occupation? Laborer & screw machine operator

  6. Do you use intoxicating liquors? no

  7. How were you employed when arrested? Idle

  8. Are you married? yes. Name children. none

  9. Did you ever enlist in the army or navy? no

  10. Where do your parents live? Fa: Mooresville, Ind. R.F.D. #2. Mo: Dead.

  11. Are you guilty of this crime? yes. Did you plead guilty? yes

  12. When and where were you arrested or convicted before? 1920. Indianapolis, Ind. for Speeding. Fined $11.00

John Tufts covers evening breaking and trending news for the Indianapolis Star. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: What was John Dillinger's first crime? Auctioned document gives detail