Q & A With Mark Love, John Dillinger Enthusiast and Expert
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum is honored to host the 1933 Ford V-8 in its first-ever public display. This very same Ford was owned by Crown Point, Indiana sheriff Lillian Holley and stolen by John Dillinger upon his escape from the county prison. Sheriff Holley’s Ford will be on display along with a collection of other John Dillinger related artifacts including, a pair of Sheriff Holley’s handcuffs, a revolver owned by Holley, a Thompson submachine gun that was stolen by Dillinger and his gang from the Auburn, IN police department in 1934, as well as a variety of other small artifacts. John Dillinger enthusiast and expert, Mark Love, will be at the museum on Wednesday, October 27, 2021 beginning at 5:00 PM EST for a Q & A session and to introduce the collection on display. The event will take place inside the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Automobile Museum and is free to the public. All are welcome to attend this family-friendly event.
On March 3rd, 1934, Dillinger broke of the Crown Point jail and stole a 1933 Ford V-8 for his escape, taking fellow prisoner Herbert Youngblood, mechanic Edwin Saager, and Deputy Sheriff Ernest Blunk as prisoner. The stolen Ford belonged to Indiana sheriff Lillian Holley, who was stationed at the Crown Point jail. Dillinger had Blunk drive the Ford, where 23 miles west of Crown Point, the Ford skidded off the road and into a ditch. Blunk and Saager were dropped off south of Peotone, Illinois. Dillinger and Youngblood proceeded to Chicago where he was met by Detective Lerimer Hyde, who gave chase. Dillinger stayed in Chicago for two days, evading police while still using Holley’s Ford. Two days later, the car was found abandoned at 1057 Ardmore Ave. It is theorized that Dillinger and his gang was able to use the car in Chicago for two days was because early reports of the stolen car stated the incorrect license plate number.
The 1933 Ford and related artifacts will remain on display to the public until September 2022 courtesy of Mark Love of Litchfield, Arizona. Please visit automobilemuseum.org or the museum facebook page at facebook.com/ACDAM1974 for details and more information.
