The Untold Stories of Rumrunners, Mobsters, and Other Legendary Rogues from Rubber City

Step back in time and immerse yourself in the fascinating underworld of Akron, Ohio during the tumultuous days of prohibition, where tales of rumrunners, mobsters, and other notorious characters resonate through the city's history. Akron, also known as the Rubber City, played a unique role in the bootlegging era, making it a hotbed for intriguing stories and larger-than-life personalities that continue to captivate us to this day. From the secret speakeasies to daring heists, this article explores the captivating mysteries of Akron's past.

The Rise of Rumrunners

Akron's proximity to the Canadian border and its well-established industrial infrastructure made it an ideal location for rumrunners during the prohibition era. The Great Lakes acted as the perfect smuggling route, allowing rumrunners to transport illegal alcohol across the border via ship or speedboats, evading capture from law enforcement. German immigrant families, possessing skills in brewing, played a significant role in the burgeoning bootlegging business. They discreetly distributed their craft beer, whiskey, and moonshine to the speakeasies hidden throughout Akron, enabling locals to quench their thirst for forbidden libations.

The arrival of prohibition saw the emergence of charismatic personalities such as George "The Sultan" Remus, who operated one of the largest illegal alcohol empires in the nation. Known for his cunning wit and unwavering determination, Remus singlehandedly smuggled vast quantities of booze into Akron, making him a legend among bootleggers. His flamboyant lifestyle, complete with lavish parties and extravagant purchases, mesmerized the city's residents, who couldn't help but be captivated by the audacity of this notorious rumrunner.

Wicked Akron: Tales of Rumrunners, Mobsters and Other Rubber City Rogues

by Kymberli Hagelberg (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5847 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	131 pages

FREE

The Reign of Mobsters

The influence of organized crime soon took hold of Akron, and the rise of mobsters brought a darker side to the city's underworld. Mysterious figures like Angelo "The Bull" Iannelli and Peter "Fat Pete" Adamec, notorious mob bosses, became the driving force behind Akron's illicit activities. Their gangs controlled illegal gambling, prostitution rings, and narcotics trade, leaving a trail of violence and corruption in their wake.

Intense rivalries between mob factions escalated, culminating in a brutal gang war that shook the city. The infamous "Rubber City Massacre" sent shockwaves through the community, as rival mobs clashed in a battle for dominance. Bodies piled up, turning the streets of Akron into a battleground and filling newspapers across the country with sensational headlines.

The Enigmatic Rubber City Rogues

Beyond the realm of rumrunners and mobsters, Akron played host to a cast of eclectic characters who added an eccentric charm to the city. From the eccentric gambler Billy Dainty to the audacious outlaw Josiah "Kid Neptune" Underwood, these colorful individuals became legendary figures in their own right. Their exploits, though shrouded in myth and often exaggerated, left an indelible imprint on Akron's history.

One of the most well-known tales revolves around the enigmatic figure known as "The Rubber City Ghost." It is said that a mysterious ghost, dressed entirely in black rubber, roamed the streets of Akron during the 1920s, haunting bootleggers and gangsters alike. Whether an urban legend or a clever invention to deter crime, this story epitomizes the allure of Akron's underground world.

Akron's Legacy: A Winding Journey Through Time

Today, Akron's streets may appear quite different, but the echoes of its rebellious past still resonate within the city's fabric. Dilapidated buildings once home to hidden speakeasies, secret tunnels beneath the bustling streets, and remnants of the era's grand architectural designs stand as silent witnesses to Akron's bygone era.

As you explore Akron's rich history, whether through museums, local legends, or tales passed down through generations, you will discover a hidden world of rumrunners, mobsters, and other splendid rogues who once ruled Rubber City's underworld. Their stories, though sometimes blurred with time, continue to fuel our fascination with the era and remind us of Akron's enduring spirit.

So, dive into the exciting tales of rumrunners, mobsters, and other captivating rogues from Akron's past and let yourself be transported to a time of intrigue, danger, and the unrelenting pursuit of forbidden pleasures.

Wicked Akron: Tales of Rumrunners, Mobsters and Other Rubber City Rogues

by Kymberli Hagelberg (Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5847 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	131 pages

FREE

Wicked Akron, Ohio takes the reader on a journey through the seedy underbelly of the city's history.

Akron is known as "the rubber capital of the world" and home to Goodyear. But look beneath those tires and you will find dirt…a lot of dirt! Explore Akron's darkest days, when citizens burned city hall to the ground and members of the Ku Klux Klan called the shots from the schoolhouse to the courthouse. Meet a grave robber who became a political leader, a mobster who ordered police murders and a beloved bootlegger turned bail bondsman. Say hello to Frank Hurn, a flashy, frenetic, fast-talking con man who was looking for suckers to invest in the Vulcans, an NFL team he promised to bring to Akron. From city saloon to suburban hideout, this is an alternative history lesson of the sometimes dicey coexistence of the well-heeled and the workers, men and women who lived big lives during Akron's fledgling days as a canal port, its pre-Depression heyday and zenith as a Midwestern industrial success story.

Author Kymberli Hagelberg, an award-winning journalist and native Northeast Ohioan, takes the reader on a morbidly-entertaining tour of the shadowy corners of Akron's history. With stories including mobsters and body snatchers, con men and Klansmen, plagues and fires, there is truly something for fans of local history and true crime stories.