Taps for Papp

On this date in 1933 Akron, Ohio lost its corn sugar king, Joseph Papp. Corn sugar was a main ingredient in manufacture of booze. So there was a needy market for the product. Unfortunately the customers and competition were gangsters who settled their differences with the gun.

The end came for Papp in the Bartges Street Pool Room, which was located next door to the grocery store that Papp owned. He was sitting on a stool when two men entered with guns drawn and hollered "Stick 'em up everybody!" Papp stood up and like the other patrons raised his hands. "Turn around Joe," one of the gunmen said. When Papp turned both men fired into the back of his head. Another round of shots were sent into his back and he dropped to the floor. Once prostrate, Papp's body was twitching, so one of the gunmen stood over him and fired into him again. Both killers then exited the pool room and jumped into a waiting car and were whisked away.

Papp's family noted that he seemed tense and worried in the days leading up to the murder but chalked it up to bad business due to the Depression. Local authorities felt that Papp was most likely bumped off by rival gangsters from Cleveland.

 Joe Papp

The spot