Little Boy Blue

Joe Blue was a life long criminal who had been released from the Federal prison in Atlanta the previous January after serving five years for a payroll robbery. While at Atlanta he became a close friend with former Chicago hoodlum Jimmy Murray, who, in addition to being a bootlegger, was serving a sentence for his part in the Rondout mail robbery.

After his release from Atlanta, Blue returned to Chicago and began working as a bootlegger. A job that cost him his life on this date in 1930. Blue's last moments were spent trying to out run a car more powerful than his Ford. His V8 engine could do only so much; the touring car over took his and without slowing down, as it passed, a machine gunner raked Blue's car with fire. The Ford careened into the curb as the driver expired.

Some beer was found in the car as well as a pricing list for whiskey. There was also a list of names including Murray's wife and brother in-law, who police said were bootleggers. It's probable that Murray had told Blue to hook up with his wife after he got out of prison for a job.

Joe Blue