Ralph Johnson ran with the Shelton Gang during Prohibition. As the Shelton-Birger Gang War wound to close in December 1926 and the first week or so of 1927, he decided to get out and cash out.
The way they did it back then wasn't much different than today. He went out and sold his story to the press, first to the St. Louis Star and then to the NEA news service which distributed his story as a 10-part series for newspapers across the country.
They called it "Secrets of the Herrin Gangs". In it Johnson told the inside account of life in the Shelton Gang as well as well as his own experiences with Charlie Birger and his gang.
It's been a key source of original gang life for decades. Now, for the first time it's available in one volume. I've added a new foreword with information about the life and times of Johnson, as well as who I think he really was. I've also added footnotes with corrections, dates and additional information, as well as an index.
For more information on books from IllinoisHistory.com, including books on the Old Slave House, the Bloody Vendetta, Abraham Lincoln or Gallatin County, Illinois, check out the book page at www.IllinoisHistory.com/books.
Orders can also be mailed in with a check or money order for $9.95 plus $2.25 s/h. Illinois residents add $0.85 sales tax, for a total of either $12.20 or $13.05.
The book is also available at the Book Daddy at Taylor's Mini Mall on Hwy 15 east of Fairfield.
UPDATE - I'm out of stock with this version of the book, though Taylor's Mini Mall in Fairfield and the Book Emporium in Harrisburg may still have copies. There's a new version at the printers that has much more on the man behind the alias of Ralph Johnson. It will be out in mid-October.
6 comments:
I am the granddaughter of Deon Earl Shelton "Bud". He was a member of the Shelton gang. He told me many stories before his death in 1988. My sister and I are researching the family's history and would love this book. I also have period photos of the gang and my grandfather as a young man.
Please e-mail me direct at jon.musgrave@mchsi.com.
I am a distant relative of the Shelton Gang. My "Shelton's" come from Western Kentucky (Webster Co). I teach US History in Tennessee and my students are amazed with the stories when I teach the period of Prohibition.
My great grandfather was said to be associated with the Sheltons and Birgers. Just curious to know if it's true....William Henry Gwaltney.....
Was Gwaltney his name or yours?
William Henry Gwaltney was his name. He was said to have run moonshine for the Birgers. Old family stories or truth, we aren't sure.
Post a Comment