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Secrets of the Herrin Gangs
Secrets of the Herrin Gangs tells the account of Ralph Johnson, an insider with the Shelton Gang who also worked with Charlie Birger at one time. Originally published in newspapers across the country at the end of the Gang War during the Bloody Williamson years in January 1927, all 10 segments are compiled now for the first time in one volume. In addition, Jon Musgrave reveals the mystery of Johnson’s true identity and his life of crime in the second half of the book.
96 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2010
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May 29, 2021
Ralph Johnson is the alias of someone claiming to have been a member of the Shelton Gang in the 1920s. In January-March 1927 his story was published in serial form, first in the St. Louis Star newspaper and then among the NEA wire service. The series includes vague stories to strangely detailed stories. Johnson was evidently combing hearsay with first-hand knowledge. The first half of the book seems to recreate the NEA series of 10 articles. The second half of the book focuses on Johnson. Musgrave argues that Johnson was Max Pulliam.
As a source, the series is frustratingly simple. Some of the most specific data was on the gang's bootleg liquor routes from Florida. The stories became increasingly vague as Johnson describes the violence, first between Klan and Anti-Klan factions; and then the Shelton-Birger Gang War. It is frustrating because there are indications that Johnson was a participant in some of the violence; but his stories often only exacerbate the already murky understanding of what happened in these clashes. Musgrave also appears frustrated in that Johnson's recollections clash remarkably with those of other participants who sold their stories to the newspapers - and did not hide behind a pseudonym.
Johnson's stories offer a strange insight into the Klan War, albeit somewhat distantly. He describes some of the characters in detail; but his recreations of the clashes were not too detailed. Musgrave often adds references noting inconsistencies between Johnson and conventional wisdom. He also adds a lot of additional detail, particularly locations for clashes. If Johnson is Pulliam, then Johnson missed much of the Klan War by being in prison. He may have been present for the final confrontation in April 1926 - the most detailed of any of his stories on the Klan War.
Moving from the Klan War, Johnson transitions into the Birger-Shelton Feud. If you are reading this review, please consider there are many sources available on both the Klan War and the Gang War. Johnson's story does offer some additional insight, but the standard work on the gang war remains Gary DeNeal's A Knight of Another Sort. Johnson does not offer much insight into the Shelton Gang apart from a detailed discussion of smuggling liquor. He is careful not to implicate himself or any other living person in any violent episode. Musgrave does go on to some length discussing Johnson's knack for dodging the gory facts.
Johnson's discussions of the gang war are best described as anecdotal. It is also highly selective. Musgrave notes that there is no mention of the assassination of Wild Bill Holland and the wounding of Max Pulliam, and the subsequent assault against Pulliam on the highway. In an underworld with shifting loyalties that relied more on brains than brawn, a lot of detail and resources were required for the attack(s) on Pulliam. Musgrave makes a solid argument that it was personal between Birger and Pulliam. Holland, who received the brunt of the initial attack, may have been a bystander with Pulliam being the primary target. Musgrave goes on to note that DeNeal interviewed a Birger associate decades after the fact, who blamed Pulliam directly for dynamiting his roadhouse possibly in revenge for the assaults. Johnson, makes note of dynamite in several stories; but is careful to distance himself from them.
The second half of the book is a closer look at Pulliam. Musgrave was able to track him from 1900 to 1958. For the most part, Pulliam was a petty criminal with above average intelligence. Musgrave documents in several places where Pulliam is noted as the brains of the Shelton Gang, and a more crucial character than his criminal record would imply. His time with the Sheltons was short. Out of jail in 1925, his story ran in 1927. Musgrave argues that Pulliam maintained some connection to the gang after publishing his story; but it seems distant. He was rarely connected with the gang in any obvious way. In and out of jail for forging prescription drugs and home invasions, he certainly did not offer the appearance of a core member of the gang. At least once he was a reporter for a newspaper - giving ammunition to the idea that he was Johnson. The final indignity is not being able to know Pulliam's end. Musgrave notes that if he was alive in 2010 (publication of book), he would be 112 years old. It is possible, but unlikely.
Overall, it is an interesting source, and probably the only primary source from the Shelton Camp regarding the Klan War and the Gang War. It is short, incomplete, and somewhat misleading. He rarely names names. He rarely offers details. His own role in the underworld is obscure. Musgrave counters that the serialized stories of Art Newman, Connie Ritter, and the statements by Birger and Millich were those of condemned men and gangsters whose time with their chief even briefer than Pulliam was with the Sheltons. But their narratives (and those by lawmen like Sheriff Galligan) are more detailed and professionally written.
As a source, the series is frustratingly simple. Some of the most specific data was on the gang's bootleg liquor routes from Florida. The stories became increasingly vague as Johnson describes the violence, first between Klan and Anti-Klan factions; and then the Shelton-Birger Gang War. It is frustrating because there are indications that Johnson was a participant in some of the violence; but his stories often only exacerbate the already murky understanding of what happened in these clashes. Musgrave also appears frustrated in that Johnson's recollections clash remarkably with those of other participants who sold their stories to the newspapers - and did not hide behind a pseudonym.
Johnson's stories offer a strange insight into the Klan War, albeit somewhat distantly. He describes some of the characters in detail; but his recreations of the clashes were not too detailed. Musgrave often adds references noting inconsistencies between Johnson and conventional wisdom. He also adds a lot of additional detail, particularly locations for clashes. If Johnson is Pulliam, then Johnson missed much of the Klan War by being in prison. He may have been present for the final confrontation in April 1926 - the most detailed of any of his stories on the Klan War.
Moving from the Klan War, Johnson transitions into the Birger-Shelton Feud. If you are reading this review, please consider there are many sources available on both the Klan War and the Gang War. Johnson's story does offer some additional insight, but the standard work on the gang war remains Gary DeNeal's A Knight of Another Sort. Johnson does not offer much insight into the Shelton Gang apart from a detailed discussion of smuggling liquor. He is careful not to implicate himself or any other living person in any violent episode. Musgrave does go on to some length discussing Johnson's knack for dodging the gory facts.
Johnson's discussions of the gang war are best described as anecdotal. It is also highly selective. Musgrave notes that there is no mention of the assassination of Wild Bill Holland and the wounding of Max Pulliam, and the subsequent assault against Pulliam on the highway. In an underworld with shifting loyalties that relied more on brains than brawn, a lot of detail and resources were required for the attack(s) on Pulliam. Musgrave makes a solid argument that it was personal between Birger and Pulliam. Holland, who received the brunt of the initial attack, may have been a bystander with Pulliam being the primary target. Musgrave goes on to note that DeNeal interviewed a Birger associate decades after the fact, who blamed Pulliam directly for dynamiting his roadhouse possibly in revenge for the assaults. Johnson, makes note of dynamite in several stories; but is careful to distance himself from them.
The second half of the book is a closer look at Pulliam. Musgrave was able to track him from 1900 to 1958. For the most part, Pulliam was a petty criminal with above average intelligence. Musgrave documents in several places where Pulliam is noted as the brains of the Shelton Gang, and a more crucial character than his criminal record would imply. His time with the Sheltons was short. Out of jail in 1925, his story ran in 1927. Musgrave argues that Pulliam maintained some connection to the gang after publishing his story; but it seems distant. He was rarely connected with the gang in any obvious way. In and out of jail for forging prescription drugs and home invasions, he certainly did not offer the appearance of a core member of the gang. At least once he was a reporter for a newspaper - giving ammunition to the idea that he was Johnson. The final indignity is not being able to know Pulliam's end. Musgrave notes that if he was alive in 2010 (publication of book), he would be 112 years old. It is possible, but unlikely.
Overall, it is an interesting source, and probably the only primary source from the Shelton Camp regarding the Klan War and the Gang War. It is short, incomplete, and somewhat misleading. He rarely names names. He rarely offers details. His own role in the underworld is obscure. Musgrave counters that the serialized stories of Art Newman, Connie Ritter, and the statements by Birger and Millich were those of condemned men and gangsters whose time with their chief even briefer than Pulliam was with the Sheltons. But their narratives (and those by lawmen like Sheriff Galligan) are more detailed and professionally written.
Displaying 1 of 1 review