Charlie Birger and Shady Rest

Charlie Birger — that Knight of Another Sort — seems to be ever-popular in Southern Illinois. As a one-time soldier, cowboy, and bronc-buster, and the romantic qualities of Robin Hood after he commenced his outlaw career, Charlie had many of the requisites of an American folk hero. He will certainly remain an integral part of the region's folklore. If not quite "popular" with some, he at least continues to evoke considerable interest, especially around Harrisburg where many saw him as hero rather than hoodlum.
   Gangsters and outlaws loom large and significant in our rather colorful regional history. Though I suspect those "good old days" seem colorful only in retrospect — with the passing of sufficient time to render up a sense of security and safety in our relatively tranquil present. I think it is probably natural, given the passage of time, that some of us enjoy basking in a little reflected glory (or reverse glory), from past family associations with the more colorful players of times past. It seems that almost everybody in these parts has a Charlie Birger tale or two to tell, and I think they should all be told.
    Yours truly admits to a slight fascination with our historic outlaw eras and their principle participants, and even an inexplicable tinge of pride at having ancestors who were right in there with the worst of them. Of course that tinge of pride would be less inexplicable, and perhaps even understandable, had any of my ancestors been among the heroic champions of law and order, rather than on the other side of the fence. Unfortunately, that isn't the case, although I'll have to admit (or plead), that the overwhelming majority of my ancestors have been upstanding citizens. The nearer those ancestors approach myself, of course, the better they got. In fact, I know of one or two fairly close relatives I can actually brag about openly and honestly. Honest.
    In the present case, with a view toward maybe fleshing out the saga of Charlie Birger somewhat, albeit with some rather obscure and unimportant tidbits, I thought I'd troop out my little store of family tradition in the interests of perversity, and for the benefit of posterity. Now that most of the respectable (or more sensitive), members of the older generation have passed on, I can do this without fear of embarrassing anybody — except, perhaps, myself.
    Our Birger associations come from both the paternal and maternal sides of my family.

My great Uncle Bill Gurley, after whom I take my first name, occasionally worked on Charlie Birger's automobiles at his place of employment as a mechanic on Harrisburg's west side. Though he, like just about everybody else in Harrisburg, knew Charlie in passing, he never claimed to be his friend. But he said Charlie provided them with plenty of work, was jovial, and always conducted himself as a gentlemen.
He told of one time when Charlie came to the garage and told everybody they'd better clear out for awhile. Charlie said he expected a visit from some of the Shelton gang, and there might be some shooting. The employees cleared out for a little unscheduled coffee break. Whether or not the Sheltons showed up, and shots were fired, is uncertain.

    By far, our closest family associations with notorious characters have been on my father's paternal side. My father is fond of expressing the opinion that his father's branch of the family, while perfectly respectable back east, "had mixed up," (in Mike Fink's vernacular), "with horses and alligators during its pioneer march westward."
    Our supposed outlaw associations range way back to the early 1800's and my five times great uncle — one of the area's earliest settlers. This was Isaiah L. Potts, of Potts' Tavern fame. Though I personally believe old uncle Isaiah is getting somewhat of a bum rap in the "Legend of Billy Potts," there's no denying that he was an associate of "Satan's Ferryman" himself, James Ford. But those were rough, tough, and lawless, times on the as yet untamed frontier.
    In more recent times, some of this same clan found Charlie Birger pleasant company. When Charlie first set up shop in our area, sometime around 1913, it was in a little "store" at Ledford, just southwest of Harrisburg. Less than a mile to the east of that establishment was the farm of Joseph Potts, my great-grandfather. It seems my great-grandfather's family and the Birgers became amicable neighbors and some lasting friendships ensued. My grandmother, Sybil Gurley, had married my grandfather (Joseph, Jr.), only a few years prior to Birger's arrival. This family friendship, and the associations it engendered, became something of an embarrassment to the Gurley side of the family. Later on, Sybil divorced Joseph Jr. and her second husband officially adopted her children in 1918, changing their surname. This partially alleviated some of the embarrassing social stigma the original name had caused.

At left: Joe Potts, Jr., my grandfather.

The photo at right, believed to be his younger sister, Ollie, was taken on the same day, though the identity is uncertain.

    Though details and verification are lacking, my father claims that my grandfather ran an "establishment" for Charlie for a while located somewhere on North Main Street in Harrisburg. My great aunt, Ollie Potts, of course, became Charlie's long-time housekeeper and Girl Friday — and some claim the relationship was much more than just that (both personally and professionally).
    According to Ruby Brown (one of Ollie's nieces), Ollie also conducted a romantic liaison with Connie Ritter, which caused some serious friction between the Birger and Ritter. Ruby also claimed (contrary to the reasons given in the books on the subject), that when Shady Rest was burned, it was the result of jealous rage on Birger's part, and a failed attempt on Ritter's life.
    Aunt Ollie was noteworthy in her own right. Both attractive and adventurous, she was once a circus motorcycle dare-devil who rode around, and upside down, inside a large barrel cage, and (according to Ruby), did a little aerial wing-walking on the side. My father says Ollie was known as Kitty La Dare during her circus days. At one point in her life (and I learned it from an impeccable non-family source), she is said to have gone by the handle of the "Queen of Sheeba." Most likely, this was a title Birger's cohorts pinned on her. Perhaps she seemed to enjoy an unduly exulted status in the gang. The same source also told me that she and one of her later boyfriends made the sojourn up to Menard penitentiary to visit Connie Ritter, who was then in residence. Apparently the meeting didn't go particularly well, since Mr. Ritter wasn't pleased to share the visit with Ollie's new beau.
    One of my father's most prominent memories of his grandfather's farm was catching a glimpse of one of Charlie Birger's young daughters skinny dipping in the farm pond. My dad, James Robert Carr, was pretty small at the time (as was the young lady), but old enough to be interested.
   He was prevented from fully satisfying his boyish curiosity, however. "A bunch of old ladies were standing around," he said, "and kept me from getting a good look." He also remembers his grandfather's fine watermelon patch, which probably provided Charlie with some of the watermelons he took pride in selling at his store.

My aunt Flo remembered Charlie during his early years at the Ledford establishment, where he was a favorite with the local children.
Perhaps Flo was was a chiseler, prone to bargain for favors or lower prices on candy and soda pop. "He used to call me his 'little Jew girl'," she said. "I didn't even know what a Jew was, but he always teased me that way. I thought it must be something good, and loved the special attention."
Flo grew into a assertive, but respectable, young lady—but Charlie continued to teasingly flirt with her whenever they chanced to meet. By then, Charlie had gained his notorious, and growing, reputation—and Flo, as well as the rest of her immediate family, were careful to distance themselves from any association with him, as well as all other members of his gang. Still, Flo retained fond feelings for Charlie in spite of his growing reputation. She liked to tell of one chance meeting on the Harrisburg square when she was a budding teenager. When Charlie greeted her as his little Jew girl, she retorted in mock outrage, "Don't talk to me! You're a gangster!" Charlie laughed and good-humoredly chastised his "little Jew girl" for calling him any such thing.

   Flo was a pretty spunky young woman with a sense of humor to match. She told me of one exploit some years later at the Red Bird Inn, at Herod, during that settlement's more lively period. There was a certain deputy sheriff who she said would come in strutting like a rooster. On the subject occasion he came in acting like he owned the world, with an "everybody better beware" continence. His obvious superiority complex, and overly authoritative demeanor, made him a shoe-in for one of Flo's practical jokes. As he stood next to her at the bar, surveying the clientele with a jaundiced eye, she deftly lifted his pistol out of its holster and secreted it in her purse.
    Some of the customers saw what she'd done and began to giggle and laugh, much to the officer's consternation and annoyance. When he discovered that he was unarmed, his discomfiture was complete. He was not at all in a good humor, perceiving himself the subject of such amusement.
    Red faced, he looked at Flo, who could not contain her mirth. He demanded the return of his side-arm, threatening to arrest Flo if she didn't give it up. In turn, she refused to return his artillery unless he promised not to arrest her. She suggested that he buy her a drink instead. He wasn't that generous, but didn't arrest her when she finally relinquished his side-arm. He left in an embarrassed huff — making a somewhat lackluster attempt to maintain his cock-of-the-walk poise.

When the smooth, young, Connie Ritter breezed into Harrisburg from points north, Flo was impressed by his sharp dress and cosmopolitan flair. She was flattered when he asked her out on a date. She said he was a wonderful gentleman and they'd had a grand time on their outing to Shawneetown. But when the family found out who he was — that he was a Birger henchman — the fledging relationship was brought to an abrupt end. Mr. Ritter later conducted a romantic liaison with his boss's "housekeeper" — Flo's aunt Ollie, who never shied from her associations with Charlie and his gang.

    Charlie's establishment at Shady Rest, on Route 13 half way between Harrisburg and Marion, was a popular stopping place for many who traveled between those towns. As Birger's main roadhouse and headquarters, it was more than just a road-side Bar-B-Q stand, of course. It was a drinking establishment and a house of entertainment.
    It was here that another of my relatives, Willard St. John, often stopped for a little refreshment on his way home to Harrisburg from the coal mine where he worked. Willard had been present, maybe a participant, at another of Southern Illinois' more lamentable episodes — the Herrin Massacre. He knew Charlie and considered him a friend. Gary DeNeal acknowledged Willard as one of his many sources in his book A Knight of Another Sort.
    Willard liked to tell of one occasion at Shady Rest when one of Birger's men decided he'd like to see Willard dance. Willard found the proposition sufficiently compelling, in the face of of a pulled revolver pointed at his lower torso, to do a vigorous little gig for the ruffian's personal entertainment. Willard said he put all he had into it, though he'd never considered himself much of a dancer before that time. Before the dance was over (and there was no indication that the audience was satisfied), Charlie came in and quickly put a stop to it, roundly rebuking his fun-loving associate. But Willard, after thanking Charlie, was advised that it might be better to leave, and he left without finishing his beer.
    There was another story Willard told, similar to the one my Uncle Bill told above. Willard was at Shady Rest when Charlie and his men came in and told his customers that they'd best get out for a while. The Sheltons were supposed to be on their way. Once again, Willard didn't finish his beer, and he said he heard shooting before he was half a mile down the road.

    Shady Rest became a popular place for daring young men to take their dates. Whether just to the Bar-B-Q stand, or a bold foray into the main establishment, bold young men of the day considered Shady Rest a cool place to take their lady friends.
    Aunt Flo told me of one of her dates who took her to Shady Rest to impress her with his boldness. The young man drove into the parking area and the couple were still in their car when Charlie Birger drove up and emerged from his vehicle. Recognizing Flo, Charlie approached the couple's car.
    "Why, there's Charlie Birger!" Flo exclaimed to her date. The young man, who had no idea that Flo and Charlie were old acquaintances, was a little surprised at the familiar manner with which his date greeted the famed gangster. The young man wondered why Charlie was headed right in their direction as if he had some special interest in them. Charlie stopped on the passenger side of the vehicle and looked across at the young driver.
    Much to the young man's discomfiture, Charlie looked him straight in the eye and demanded, "What are you doing with my girl?"
    He made the inquiry with a false show of anger, followed, after a calculated pause, with a friendly smile. While the smile eased the boy's apprehension somewhat, Flo said his boldness and gaiety had visibly wilted. He was at a loss for words. His waning apprehension changed to palpable alarm an instant later, however, when he saw Charlie pull his pistol out of its holster and waved it in his direction.
    Still smiling, Charlie inverted his pistol and playfully tapped Flo lightly on the head with the butt. Then Birger laughed and said, "Now you can say you've been hit over the head by Charlie Birger's gun."
    Charlie engaged the couple in a little small talk for a few minutes. Most of the exchange was with Flo, as her friend seemed a little withdrawn, and disinclined to say much. Then, bidding them a cheerful adieu, Charlie left them to go on about his business.
    Flo said that had been her first and last date with the companion of the day. He never asked her out again.

ALBERT GOODMAN

My maternal grandfather, Albert Goodman, a long-time resident of Gaskin's City, was a well respected Harrisburg mine inspector for many years. Family tradition has it (to my grandmother's lasting chagrin), that he was one of Charlie's poker buddies at frequent friendly games. Aside from that, the extent of the relationship was that of grandpa drinking too much of Charlie's bootleg beer and liquor.

    Though my grandfather had a good job, he was always broke and in debt, due to his poker playing, boozing, and other escapades. This left little cash for the necessities of life, such as groceries and heating coal. His daughters often found themselves having to go out on cold mornings and collect "gob" (coal mine tailings used for gravel), from the road to heat the house.
    Since Charlie was known as a good Samaritan, my aunt Martha remembers wishing he would drop them off a little coal, as he was known to do from time to time at the households of the poor. Her wish never came true.
   Albert always claimed that Charlie was a likable gentleman. That claim didn't sit well with my grandmother (Ruth [Grace] Goodman), however. She was convinced Charlie was responsible for just about all the evil in the world to date. She lived in daily fear of the gangsters and their turf war, though I don't think she was ever near the line of fire. Every automobile back-fire was a gunshot to her, and she would scramble the kids to safety. I don't believe she ever met Charlie, but she hated him so fervently that she couldn't be restrained from attending his hanging. She wanted to see him swing so she could be sure he was really gone. He was.

"You're a good old boy," Charlie quipped to the hangman. Then, after his last laugh (pictured), he reflected, "It's a wonderful world." Then Charlie Birger, "Our very own gangster" — our Knight of Another Sort — was hung. Benton, Illinois, at 9:48 AM, April 19th, 1928.

Yep, those were the good old days—Prohibition days, with Charlie Birger and Shelton gangs. I'm sure that Harrisburg was a much more exciting and interesting place back then than it is today. However, I don't believe I'm alone when I say that while I'd like to see a return of the "good old days," I'd just as soon they left Prohibition, and the Birgers and Sheltons, out.

One tangible relic of Charlie Birger remains in the family (aside from several old issues of the Harrisburg Daily Register which my great-grandmother saved), is one of Charlie's cartridge belts. My father, James Robert Carr, came into possession of the belt back in the late twenties. It was given to him by Bill R. Salus (Harrisburg High School, Class of 1931), who lived next door to the Birgers on West Poplar Street. Apparently Charlie had given it to Bill as a souvenir after buying a new one. The belt is made of leather with a dark natural finish and basket-weave tooling.
The bullet loops are missing, though the belt was intact when my father first received it. Another of my his friends, “Cowboy” Martin, borrowed the belt to wear it at the annual Harrisburg Halloween celebration on the square. My Dad couldn’t remember Martin’s first name, but said they always called him Cowboy because he liked to dress like a cowboy right up until high school. When Cowboy returned the belt, it was minus the bullet loops.

Finally, Gary DeNeal, one of my oldest and best friends, became our area's preeminent authority on Charlie Birger and the Prohibition era. He wrote several articles on Charlie for the Outdoor Illinois magazine, and finally wrote A Knight of Another Sort, Prohibition Days and Charlie Birger, a biography of Charlie which remains the definitive work on the subject.
The illustration at left (by yours truly), appeared in the Dec. 7, 1981 issue of The Prairie Post, with an article promoting Gary's book, shows Charlie in the Saline County jail with his Thompson submachine gun, on Feb., 8, 1925.

Gary DeNeal's authoritative biography of Charlie Birger, A Knight of Another Sort, Prohibition Days and Charlie Birger (304 pages, 72 black & white illustrations is available at local bookstores; or paperback $24.95 ppd., from the author at Springhouse Books, P.O. Box 8, Herod, Illinois 62947.