Friday, July 03, 2009

Public enemies


The release of the new movie about John Dillinger reminded me of secret family history that I wanted to make sure I told my daughter so the information wasn't lost.

I had a great-aunt who fell in love with one of the Dillingers -- Frank -- got pregnant and wanted to marry him. My great grandfather was so mortified that she would think she could marry into the mobster family (when John Dillinger was Public Enemy Number 1) that he refused and made her give the baby up for adoption. This destroyed her; she was never the same again.

Isn't that sad that she would have to give up the love of her life and her baby because of public opinion against the family? I wonder what happened to her child. She must have worried about the baby for the rest of her life.

What happened with her and the Dillinger boy was considered so terrible, however, that no one spoke of it in the family, and it wasn't until the funeral of one of the elder members of my family that someone told me so I would keep the information alive for another generation.

10 comments:

Gwen said...

Casey, I love this story.

Unknown said...

Elizabeth always has the greatest stories.

Gwen said...

Yes. I love Elizabeth's stories. But, I was commenting on your Dillinger piece.

Unknown said...

The Dillinger piece was written by Elizabeth.

Elizabeth said...

Yes, I was quiet for a while but now I feel chatty again!

Gwen said...

Oh, Elizabeth! I'm so sorry. Why did I think this was Casey's piece...I guess I saw it on Casey's facebook page and just assumed w/out looking first. Excuse me. Elizabeth, you already know I love it.

Shantybellum said...

It's a great story. Why does it seem like some of the best stories are the saddest?

Himu said...
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Himu said...
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Himu said...

I just loved this movie :) Go with it guys :) You will love it sure :)