Dillinger escapes from Crown Point jail and he and Billie are on their way to a "rendezvous with his new partner, Baby Face Nelson." (pg 242)

On page 243, Burrough writes that "it is unclear whether Dillinger realized he was joining forces with a psychopath."

Dillinger, while a bank robber, a murderer and a prison escapee, held to his own code of ethics and Baby Face Nelson was a hot head and wildly and randomly fired this Tommy gun into crowds, so it seemed, just for kicks.

What held these two together? Why did Dillinger put up with Nelson? Why did Nelson need Dillinger?

GOOD question to contemplate! :ciggy
They say opposites attract.
I'm interested to see what others say. :captain
A little too early in the morning for me to answer.

I had to go back and reread some parts in the book, but I think BFN put up with Dillinger because he wanted the "respect" Dillinger would bring to his gang. It mentions on p. 243 that Nelson thought siding with JD would give hime more "press" and that he would be known as "commanding" the most talked about criminal in the country--John Dillinger. I also don't think BFN was that swift, so maybe he thought JD would bring some "brains" to the gang.

Still thinking on why Dillinger put up with this loose cannon........

-Donna

See Donna, that "loose cannon" bit is what has me confused. I asked myself over and over why? WHY did John Dillinger, who seemed light years ahead and away from BFN put up with him? Dillinger seemed pretty street smart and intelligent and was wildly popular ON HIS OWN!

This one's a head scratcher....

I'm still skimming throught the book. The only justification I can come up with right now is that Dillinger didn't really want to be the "violent" criminal. At the same time, he knew that if things got tough, he would need someone to pull the trigger and cover his back.(BFN had no problem in that regard) Also, BFN could take the heat for any killings that occurred so it wouldn't all come down on Dillinger? Could it also be that since BFN was so opposite him in personality, JD thought it would creat even more publicity for his crimes? Just something to throw out right now, still doing some thinking on this one....I'm just not sure.....That would have been a good question for BB-lol!

-Donna

That sure makes sense Donna!! Basically let him be the "good guy" or BFN the "bad guy'?

I think the partnership with BFN developed naturally after the Crown Point escape-BFN helped Dillinger and Billie find a place to hide and Dillinger had no better prospects so the partnership was formed meeting the needs of both men. BB states on page 299 that Dillinger and all the gang knew knew that BFN was unstable but his company was desired "to have him on a job when they had one to perform". Like Donna BFN was the firepower for the heists. Anne r

Wonder what Dillinger would have done without BFN?

Dillinger and Billie might not have had a place to hide after the escape if there would have even been able an escape since BFN contaced Karpis for advice on how to secure Dillinger's escape. He probably would have killed more victims during his crimes since the "fire power" would not be so readily available. The time line of Dillingers career and death would have been completely different and he probably would have died several months sooner.Dillinger's charisma not brute force with a gun seemd to be his "weapons" to success as a gangster. Anne r

Thanks NurseAnne, I am still amazed at the way he was able to "charm" the people and the press.

Anne you're probably right---could Dillinger have lasted as long as he did without BFN? It does make me think that's why Dillinger stuck with him was for his "ready to fire" attitude. I think Brian mentioned in the book that Dillinger always told his dad that he never killed anyone? I think JD had a strong connection with his family and in some twisted way, wouldn't want to let them down by being the cold blooded killers of other gangsters i.e. B&Clyde I'll have to go back and check that part about Karpis. I still think JD might have pulled off the jail escape without BFN, as I think someone else might have stepped in to help out. If not, I think you're right Anne---he would have been captured/killed sooner.

-Donna

Gosh, I'm really enjoying reading everyone's comments. My thoughts on JD and BFN are pretty simple. BFN wanted the press that JD brought, and JD wanted to be around someone that would take away the brutality from JD and put it on themselves. I wonder if Dillinger really knew how crazy Nelson was?

I'm running here and there today, so I probably won't get back to the rest of the discussion until tomorrow. See you then.