THE AUTOMATIC GANG

I am researching the story of the "Car Barn Bandits," a notorious group of Chicago criminals in 1903 who were also known as the "Automatic Trio," for an upcoming nonfiction book. The following is a list of people who had some connection to this story. If you are related to any of the people listed here or if you have information concerning them, please contact me at loerzel@comcast.net. For information on my previous book, you may visit the Web site www.alchemyofbones.com. — Robert Loerzel

Charles Alvin, owner of saloon at Roscoe Street and Sheffield Avenue.

John Amsbough, a telegraph operator whose home burned down sometime prior to 1903. The remnants of his cellar were the "dugout" where the Car Barn Bandits hid.

Mary Anderson, friend of Peter Niedermeier who attended trial.

Charles Bartlett, defense attorney for Van Dine.

Otto Bauder, 19, of 714 Belmont Ave., killed July 9, 1903 at Ernest Spires' saloon, 1820 N. Ashland Ave.

Joseph Baumer, Chicago police officer at the Sheffield Avenue station who was in the search party that went to Indiana.

Tony Baynes, Chicago police detective in the second group of officers who went to Indiana to capture the Car Barn Bandits.

Frederick Behn, saloonkeeper at Clark Station, Indiana.

Henry Biehl, clerk or cashier wounded Aug. 30, 1903, at City Railway Company car barn. Variations of name: Henry. 25 years old, lived at 5917 State St. Died at 77, at which time he lived at 1259 Walter, Northbrook. After working 10 years for the railway company, Biehl opened a delicatessen at 850 N. Clark and operated a movie theater at 59th and Wentworth. In 1924 he moved to Northbrook, where he ran a restaurant and later a tavern. Retired from the tavern business eight years before his death. Memorial service at St. Norbert Roman Catholic Church, burial at St. Mary Cemetery, Techny. Survived by the widow, Mary; two daughters, Mrs. Helen Schevers and Mrs. Lucille McCormick; a brother, Philip...

John Blake, a suspect questioned by the Englewood police.

William Blaul, Chicago police detecive who captured Gustav Marx.

Boniface, a bailiff.

William Briggs, captain with the Pennsylvania Railroad secret service.

Brock, grocer near Lake Station, Indiana.

Brown, sergeant at the Woodlawn police station.

Burns, a bailliff.

Byrnes, Chief Bailiff.

H.R. Caddock, a juror whose mother and sister sent flowers and fruit to Marx.

Rev. W.H. Carwardine, the pastor of the Ada Street M.E. Church, who wrote articles on the Car Barn Bandits trial.

Edward Clarke, a boyhood friend of Van Dine.

Albert Coffey, fireman on Pennsylvania Railroad train taken by the Car Barn Bandits Nov. 27, 1903, in Lake County, Indiana.

Louis Cohan, the bartender at Greenberg's saloon, 401 Addison street. Variations of name: Cohen.

Cummings, clerk of Judge Kersten's court.

Ann Curry, nurse at Sunnyside Nursing Home, where Roeski was placed after his release from prison in 1970.

Louis Custy, special agent of the Rock Island Railroad who questioned Niedermeier about his possible involvement in other train robberies.

Dee, a bailiff.

Charles Deneen, Cook County State's Attorney.

John Dillon, farmer in the party that captured Niedermeier and Van Dine.

Fletcher Dobyns, an Assistant State's Attorney who prosecuted the Car Barn Bandits.

M.E. Dougherty, night operator at the Clybourn Junction train stop.

James Doyle, a suspect questioned by the Englewood police.

Lawrence Doyle, a suspect questioned by the Englewood police.

Joseph R. Driscoll, Chicago police detective wounded Nov. 27, 1903, in Indiana by the Car Barn Bandits. 33 years old. Lived at 423 Lincoln Ave.

John Duffy, Chicago police detective in the second group of officers who went to Indiana to capture the Car Barn Bandits.

Mamie Dunn, Harvey Van Dine's "sweetheart." Lived on Erie Street.

Durbin, governor of Indiana.

William B. Edmond, 42, of 223 65th St., a receiving cashier wounded Aug. 30, 1903, at the City Railway Company car barn.

Edmund Fahey, suspect arrested in East St. Louis.

"Fanny" -- friend of Van Dine who witnessed one of the robberies.

Frederick J. Gabriel, witness to Marx's confession.

John Gleason, Chicago police officer at the central station station who was in the search party that went to Indiana.

Peter Gorski, a saloon keeper at 2611 Milwaukee avenue, robbed and wounded July 20, 1903.

F.L. Gregory, conductor with City Railway.

Otto Haerle, witness to Marx's confession.

Haight, a man to whom Sophie E. Van Dine wrote a letter about her son's life.

William C. Hallowell, co-author of "Guilty: The Magazine-Gun Tragedy."

Charles Hamilton, blacksmith from East Tolleston, Indiana, who was in the party that captured Niedermeier and Van Dine.

David G. Hamilton, president of the City Railway.

Carter Harrison Jr., mayor of Chicago, who was present for Van Dine and Niedermeier's confession and testified at their trial.

Hayes, captain at the Woodlawn police station.

Arthur Sears Henning, Chicago Tribune reporter who interviewed Marx after his arrest.

Clarence Higgins, former husband of Mrs. Johnson; he was shot to in 1896 while serving as a conductor on a South Side car.

R.J. Hogan, first police officer to arrive at scene of car barn robbery. From the Woodlawn station.

John Hughes, farmer near Edgemoor, Indiana, who let the police officers stay at his home.

Joseph Hughes, Chicago police officer at the Sheffield Avenue station who was in the search party that went to Indiana.

Hurr, inspector and special agent for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Samuel C. Irving, defense attorney for Van Dine.

Adolph Johnson, 21 years old, of 2285 St. Paul Ave., a customer killed at Benjamin La Grosse's saloon, 2120 W. North Ave., on Aug. 2, 1903.

James B. Johnson, 35, of 6223 Justine St., a motorman killed Aug. 30, 1903, at the City Railway Company car barn.

Kane, an express messenger who nearly lost his life when a Rock Island train was robbed July 8, 1902, near Dupont, Illinois -- a crime in which the Car Barn Bandits were suspected but never charged.

John Kelley, reporter for the Chicago Record-Herald who covered the Car Barn Bandits case.

D.J. Kennedy of Rock Island, Illinois, formerly superintendent of the farm at the Glenwood school for boys, twenty-five miles northwest of Chicago.

H.W. Kent, farmer from Tolleston, Indiana, who was in the party that captured Niedermeier and Van Dine.

George Kersten, Cook County judge at the trial of Marx, Niedermeier and Van Dine.

Dr. James G. Kiernan, prosecution expert on epilepsy and insanity. Had testified as an expert in the trial of Charles Guiteau, the assassin of President Garfield. Had worked at the asylum on Ward's island, New York, and had been superintendent of the asylum of the insane at Dunning.

Benjamin La Grosse, a saloon keeper at 2120 W. North Ave., robbed and killed on Aug. 2, 1903.

James Larkin, Chicago police detective in the second group of officers who went to Indiana to capture the Car Barn Bandits.

George W. Lathrop, agent at the Clybourn Junction station wounded by Car Barn Bandits.

Lavin, Chicago police inspector.

Mrs. Louis Lehman, a former school teacher in the Audobon school.

Chaya Liberman, owner of Sunnyside Nursing Home, where Roeski was placed after his release from prison in 1970.

George Lill, coal dealer who testified.

Frank E. Link, witness to Marx's confession.

Herman Linstedt, of 1798 North Ashland avenue, was in Spier's saloon at time of robbery.

Tommy Loftus, Chicago police detective in the second group of officers who went to Indiana to capture the Car Barn Bandits.

M.B. Lonergan, a "rogues gallery" photographer who took pictures of the bandits after their arrest.

Daniel Lynch, a suspect questioned by the Englewood police.

Walter Magnus, bailiff who guarded the jurors.

William Maher, Chicago police detective in the second group of officers who went to Indiana to capture the Car Barn Bandits.

James Markham, secretary to Police Superintendent Francis O'Neill.

Louis Martin, a car washer who witnessed the car barn robbery.

Bernard Marx, father of Gustave, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison in June 1901. The crime had something to do with a feud with a neighbor accused of complicity in the anarchist plot.

Gustave Marx, one of the Car Barn Bandits. Was 21 years old at time of arrest in 1903. His family owned a feed store at 306 Belmont Ave. At the time of the Haymarket riot, they lived at 443 Roscoe St. Variations of name: Gustave, Marks, Marcks.

James Mason, suspect arrested in East St. Louis.

James McCarthy, engineer of the Edison power-house, just north of the Newberry library, on North Clark street, near Walton place. He testified about Van Dine.

Robert McCulloch, general manager of the City Railway.

McGuire, a bailliff.

George McLeroy, a suspect questioned by the Englewood police.

Charles McMahon, a deputy sheriff in the Probate court.

McWeeney, lieutenant with the central detectives bureau of the Chicago police.

Melaniphy, Chicago police sergeant at the South Side police station, who took custody of the Car Barn Bandits Nov. 27, 1903.

Rev. Dr. Miller, of the Belmont Avenue Baptist church, Marx's former pastor.

Fred Miller, farmer in Lake County, Indiana, who was in the party that captured Niedermeier and Van Dine.

Lewis Miller, son of Fred Miller; was in the party that captured Niedermeier and Van Dine.

Philip Miller, Chicago police sergeant in the third group to join the Indiana posse, who took part in the search for Roeski.

Monahan, lieutenant at the Woodlawn police station.

Dr. Harold N. Moyer, prosecution expert on epilepsy and insanity. Former assistant superintendent of the Kankakee asylum for the insane, later a professor at Rush Medical college.

Elmer Murphy, a boyhood friend of Van Dine.

Paul Niedermeier, brother of Peter; worked at a factory on Clybourn Avenue near Sheffield.

Peter Niedermeier, one of the Car Barn Bandits. Family lived at 1831 Elston Avenue and Diversey Boulevard. Was 23 years old in 1903. Variations of name: Niedemeier, Niedemeyer, Niedermeir, Niedermeyer.

Roy E. Norton, co-author of "Guilty: The Magazine-Gun Tragedy."

F.M. O'Brien, conductor with City Railway.

Olson, assistant Cook County state's attorney who prosecuted the Car Barn Bandits.

Olson, a bailiff.

Francis O'Neill, Chicago police superintendent, who was also famous for collecting Irish folk music.

Lulu Ord, the matron at the courthouse, who searched female visitors.

Dr. Hugh T. Patrick, prosecution expert on epilepsy and insanity. "An author of note on nervous and mental diseases and a professor in Northwestern University Medical college."

George S. Popham, defense attorney for Marx.

Martin Qualey, Chicago police officer at the central station station who was in the search party that went to Indiana.

John Quinn, Chicago police detecive shot and killed during the capture of Gustav Marx.

Henry Reichers, school teacher who saw Niedermeir and Van Dine at Clark Station, Indiana.

Frank Rhea, a boyhood friend of Van Dine.

George L. Richardson, witness to Marx's confession.

William F. Riley, special agent of the Northwestern Railroad who questioned Niedermeier about his possible involvement in other train robberies. Variations of name: Reilly.

Emil Roeski, one of the Car Barn Bandits. Nicknamed "Punk" or "Buck." Was 19 or 20 years old in 1903. Born in Germany; had been in U.S. 14 years. Lived at 1075 or 1875 Irving Park Road. Variations of name: Roeske.

Fred Roeski, father of Emil, 1875 Irving Ave., Chicago

Otto Roeski, brother of Emil. Variations of name: Roeske.

Graham Rutherford, author of "The Bandit Four--Marx, Van Dine, Niedemeyer and Roeski--Or, the Great Chicago Car Barn Tragedy and Its Bloodier Sequel."

James F. Ryan, captain and special agent for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

Rev. R. Keen Ryan, Pastor of Garfield Boulevard Presbyterian Church, who wrote articles on the Car Barn Bandits trial.

Tony Scapardino, a suspect questioned by the Englewood police.

Robert Schau, Chicago police lieutenant in the third group to join the Indiana posse.

Julius Scheurer, owner of a general store in Clark Station, Indiana, where the Car Barn Bandits were spotted.

Herman Schuettler, assistant Chicago police chief who led the Car Barn Bandits investigation.

Shay, a bailliff.

John F. Sheehan, Chicago police sergeant (or detective) based at the Sheffield Avenue police station who led eight officers on Nov. 27, 1903, to the Car Barn Bandits' hiding place in Lake County, Indiana.

John Slueder, man who falsely confessed to the killings.

L.J. Sovea, brakeman on the Pennsylvania Railroad, killed Nov. 27, 1903, by the Car Barn Bandits. Variations of name: Sova.

Dennis Speer, resident of Newark, Ohio, who testified about the Van Dine family. Variations of name: Spear.

Spengeler, Chicago police sergeant in the third group to join the Indiana posse, who took part in the search for Roeski.

Ernest Spires, owner of a saloon at 1820 N. Ashland Ave., robbed on July 9, 1903. Variation of name: Spier.

Francis "Frank" W. Stewart, 19, of 6339 Parnell Ave., assistant clerk in cashier's office, killed Aug. 30, 1903 at City Railway Company car barn. Stewart was a graduate of the Englewood High School and was attending Armour Institute during the days.

Robert Stewart, father of Frank Stewart; barn boss for the City Railway Company.

Frank Symonds, engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad, killed Nov. 27, 1903, by the Car Barn Bandits.

John C. Torlor, witness to Marx's confession.

Dr. Turner, a man Niedermeier claimed to have killed in Pueblo, Colorado, supposedly a former mayor.

Fannie Van Dine, a relative in the Van Dine family.

Hannah Van Dine, another relative in the Van Dine family, who married a man named Goldsmith.

Harvey Van Dine, one of the Car Barn Bandits. His family lived at 777 N. Springfield Ave. Was a volunteer in an Illinois regiment (or in the National Guard of Illinois) that reportedly went to Cuba, where he rose to first sergeant. His father had gone to Mexico. Was 21 years old in 1903. Variations of name: Van Dein.

James Harvey Van Dine, father of Frank Van Dine and grandfather of Harvey. Worked as a shoemaker.

Jacob Van Dine, a cousin or brother of James Harvey Van Dine who died in an insane asylum.

Julianna Van Dine, another relative in the Van Dine family.

Kate (Woods) Van Dine, wife of James Harvey Van Dine and grandmother of Harvey.

Sophie Van Dine, mother of Harvey Van Dine. A dressmaker Variations of name: Sophia.

H.C. Walsh, a defense attorney for Niedermeier.

William Walsh, Chicago police lieutenant.

Ninian H. Welch, a defense attorney for Niedermeier.

Wheeler, Chicago police inspector

John L. Whitman, Cook County jailer.

Alvin Wild, a Hobart, Indiana, resident, who saw Roeski.

Matthew Zimmer, Chicago police detective of the Central station who was wounded Nov. 27, 1903, in Indiana by the Car Barn Bandits. Lived at 1047 W. 21st Place.

Signers of the petition for Van Dine's clemency:
W.M.R. French of the Art Institute (a friend of Van Dine's motherGeo. T. Gibson
Geo. Brodie
A. Zimmerman
A. Montgomery
John Murocoski
R.S. Graham
John Shea
Fred Smith
Frank Casson
Thomas E. Jones
J. McKenzie
Chas. Graham
Thos. A Sullivan
Bernhart Witt
Josip Kadmen
Anton Liganton
Chas. H. Keegan
John Fryatt
Wm. H. Harrod
Ben Glave
C.A. Tailbefee
Chas. A. Ling
G. Hunt
J.R. Holmes
J.M. Fisher
P. Koenig
S.A. Gates
D. Theiriault
J. Bentley
John Greer
D. Thomas
C. Ewing
P. McCall
Wm. Dyer
Wm. N. Neil
James Neil
J.E. Brooks
B.A. Brooks
G.A. Smith
J. Dyer
A. Kessel
H. Sullivan
W. Babe
A. Johnson
Anton Deursmith
Chas. Scheer
C.V. Malin
J.W. Bridgeman
L. Ledig
C.F. Borg
Theodore Richards
John Newbauer
J.D. Fellows
H.F. Poston
Pastor Alfred E. Randell
S. Pauley
E.J. Nardin
Mrs. Geo. Nardin
Robt. G. Perkins
Geo. Nardin
J.H. Neil
J.F. Smith
Wm. Degnan
Emil Pedersen
John H. Desmond Criminal Ct. Bldg.
John M. Dawson County Jail
Wm. Klender Criminal Ct. Bldg.
M.E. McGlinn Criminal Ct. Bldg.
E.Z. Talcott Criminal Ct. Bldg.
Fred Mangus Criminal Ct. Bldg.
W. Boone Criminal Ct. Bldg.
H. Stanton Criminal Ct. Bldg.
F.W. McNamara Co. Physician