Oh George, Not the Livestock!

On November 27, 1934, George "Baby Face" Nelson was killed in a shootout with the FBI. Born Lester Joseph Gillis in 1908, Nelson began his criminal practices at a young age; getting arrested for stealing cars at the age of 14, then graduating to bootlegging, and finally stickups. In the 1930s, Nelson hooked up with John Dillinger, following Dillinger's infamous escape from an Indiana jail. The two led their gang on several joint bank heists, and the association with Dillinger made Baby Face Nelson a household name. After Dillinger's death, and the death of Pretty Boy Floyd, Nelson was named "Public Enemy No. 1" by the FBI on October 22, 1834. This lasted for only just over a month; an FBI stakeout of one of Nelson's Wisconsin hideouts successfully identified the gangster's car, and led to to a high speed chase and shootout just outside Chicago, known as the Battle of Barrington.

One of the Gals' favorite movies is "O Brother, Where Out Thou?" which includes a fictionalized account of George "Baby Face" Nelson. In the movie, Nelson hates his nickname, but hates "coppers" even more. Nelson did not take this foray south, and does not seem to have resented the nickname bestowed on him by fellow gang members in reference to his youthful appearance; but Nelson was known for his particularly vehement hatred of law enforcement. He killed more FBI agents in the line of duty than any other person. It is unclear how the real George Nelson felt about cows.

"Remember, Jesus saves, but George Nelson withdraws!"