As a union head, one of Berrell's headaches was gangster George "Red" Barker, who attempted to unite all the Teamster unions under his leadership. Berrell fought him at each turn until a machine-gunner took care of Barker the previous June 17. A few weeks later Berrell headed for the peaceful seclusion of the Wisconsin woods. Could just be a coincidence that Berrell felt the need to leave Chicago after Barker's death or maybe...
On Wednesday July 20, 1932, former North Side gangster Willie Marks and his brother in-law drove up to visit Berrell. Marks was said to be Berrell's bodyguard. Willie's claim to fame was that he was with Bugs Moran on the morning of February 14, 1929 when the two men saw what they believed to be a police raid on the gangs' headquarters. Marks and Moran ducked into a coffee shop believing that they had avoided a raid when in fact it was rival gangsters who mowed down seven of the gang in what is referred to as the St. Valentine's day massacre.
Berrell and Marks spent the following evening at the Lime Kiln Inn, a roadhouse situated on Highway 29 between the towns of Showano and Bonduel. In the wee hours of July 21, Berrell and Marks exited through the back door. Barely had the duo taken a few steps when a machine-gun lit up the night and both men dropped dead. It was assumed that Berrell's enemies followed Marks out from Chicago assuming correctly that he would lead them to Berrell.
Patrick Berrell Willie Marks
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