Harry Pierpont American gangster Date of Birth: 13.10.1902 Country: USA

1. Biography of Harry Pierpont
2. Life of Crime
3. Prison Break and Crime Spree
4. Capture and Execution

Biography of Harry Pierpont

Harry Pierpont was born in 1902 in Muncie, Indiana, to J. Gilbert and Lena Orcutt Pierpont. He was the middle child in the family.

Life of Crime

Pierpont's troubles with the law began after a severe head injury he sustained in an accident. After almost five hours of unconsciousness, his mental state and behavior were irreversibly changed. He became gloomy, suspicious, and very volatile. Soon, he found himself in a correctional facility, but he embraced the criminal path without any intention of reform. He specialized in bank robberies and became wanted for several bank robberies in Indiana.

In 1925, Pierpont was arrested along with his accomplice, Thaddeus Skeer. Although Pierpont refused to cooperate with the authorities and provide any testimony, his partner decided to talk, leading to Pierpont being imprisoned once again. It was during this time that he met John Dillinger, who would later become America's most famous outlaw and gangster. Pierpont mentored Dillinger in the art of thievery and introduced him to the idea of easy money, which could be found in banks. Dillinger liked the idea, and after some hesitation, decided to work together with Pierpont.

Prison Break and Crime Spree

While in prison, Pierpont gained a high level of respect among the inmates. He was tough, had a strong character, fiercely fought against the guards, and endured punishments in solitary confinement, hunger, and beatings. Dillinger, who was released early, vowed to help his new friend escape from prison. In September 1933, Pierpont, along with 10 other inmates, successfully escaped. Unfortunately, at that time, Dillinger was back behind bars.

During Dillinger's subsequent release, Pierpont killed a police officer, the sheriff of the department where Dillinger was being held. Accompanied by Charles Makley and Russell Clark, Pierpont entered the Lima police station on October 12. Claiming to be federal agents, they demanded Dillinger's release but were asked to show their identification. Pierpont silently pulled out a gun and shot the sheriff.

This incident was followed by two more attacks on police stations as the newly formed gang needed weapons. A series of bank robberies then began, terrorizing the country. Pierpont may not have attracted as much attention from the public if it were not for his friendship with Dillinger, the leader of the gang. Dillinger's fame and legend grew, and people romanticized his image. While working in the shadow of the legendary Dillinger, Pierpont's crimes also became increasingly ruthless, often resulting in deaths, including those of police officers.

Capture and Execution

The gang was captured in Tucson, Arizona, in 1934. In March of the same year, Pierpont was sentenced to death. Remarkably, Dillinger managed to escape custody once again. However, Pierpont and Makley were unable to escape as they were heavily guarded. During one of their escape attempts, both were fatally shot by the police. Pierpont survived but only to face the electric chair on October 17, 1934.