Case Number: 824
Gudgeon, Robert F., fatally shot by robbers in his saloon, 18th and Johnson Sts. John Druggan, alias "Ginger," arrested and sentenced June 17, 1898, by Judge Chetlain to death by hanging. Frank Indell, Michael Norris and Thomas Mulichett arrested and sentenced May 11, 1898, by Judge Chetlain to fourteen years in Joliet Pen. Thomas Scarritt arrested as accessory and returned to Pontiac Reformatory for violation of parole. Druggan hanged Oct. 14, 1898.
Circumstances
| Date of Offense | January 10, 1898 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death | January 10, 1898 |
| Time Between Offense and Death | Immediate - death occurred at the crime scene |
| Address | 18th Johnson sts. |
| Type of Location | Place of business |
| Location Description | in victim's saloon, 18th & Johnson sts. |
| Type of Death | Homicide |
| Type of Homicide | Other murder, felony murder |
| Method of Killing | Other gun, gun unspecified |
| Weapon | fatally shot |
| Motive | defendants shot the victim in an attempted robbery |
| Description | Robbery |
| Total Number of Victims | 1 |
| Location | in victim's saloon, 18th & Johnson sts. |
| Number of Defendants | 5 |
| Type of Business | Bar/saloon |
Victim
| Name | Gudgeon, Robert F. |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| VictimEmploymentType | Employed, high white collar (merchant, etc.) |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
| Killed While Protecting Person | Protecting self |
| Victim Killed While Protecting Property | Protecting bar/saloon |
| Occupation/ Skill | Store owner, hotel owner |
Defendant
| Name | Druggan, John; alias "Ginger" |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Ethnicity | Other, european |
| Race | White |
| Employed | Yes |
| Employment Type | Outside labor force (incl. criminals) |
| Occupation/ Skill | Crimanl - thief |
Police
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Defendants Arrested | 5 |
Legal
| Charges Against Defendant | No |
|---|---|
| Trial Judge | Chetlain |
| Type of Legal Decision Recorded | Coroner, trial |
| Allegations of Police Corruption | No |
| Felony Murder Classification | Burglary |
| Length of Sentence | Death penalty |
| Outcome of Trial | Guilty of murder |
| Post Trial Information | Death sentence carried out |
| Sentence Completed | Yes |
