Gangsters

I finished reading Brothers Notorious, the story of the Shelton Gang.  Carl, Bernie, and Big Earl, ran the gang that The Saturday Evening Post called "America's bloodiest gang".  They came to power in the roaring twenties bootlegging during Prohibition, and turned to gambling when Prohibition ended.  At the peak of their power, they controlled the vice in central and southern Illinois (including East St. Louis) to the point that even Al Capone didn't venture south of Chicago out of respect for them.
They started as farm boys near Fairfield, IL and amassed large land holdings (which they farmed) presumably purchased with bootlegging and gambling money.  In the late 30's and 40's, Peoria became the queen city of their gambling empire.  Carl lived in a house on Knoxville Avenue, and Bernie had a farm on Farmington Road.  They supplied, owned, or took kick-backs from taverns, night clubs, and gambling dens all over downstate Illinois.
After World War II, the Chicago mob and the St. Louis mob decided to move in on the Shelton territory.  Most of the Sheltons met violent deaths, and the few remaining Sheltons escaped to Florida in 1951.

Prior to reading the book, I had only known bits and pieces of the lawlessness and corruption that took place back in those days.  There is a great deal of history around here that isn't often advertised. I would like to do a little more research on the subjects and era.

Make a chain: for the land is full of bloody crimes, and the city is full of violence.
Ezekiel 7:23

 For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
Proverbs 4:17