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Thread: Optometrist Gunned Down in Chicago

  1. #1
    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    Optometrist Gunned Down in Chicago

    February 14, 1929.

    On this frigid morning, in an unheated brick garage at 2122 N. Clark St., seven men were lined up against a whitewashed wall and pumped with 90 bullets from submachine guns, shotguns and a revolver. It was the most infamous of all gangland slayings in America, and it savagely achieved its purpose-the elimination of the last challenge to Al Capone for the mantle of crime boss in Chicago. By 1929, Capone's only real threat was George "Bugs" Moran, who headed his own gang and what was left of Dion O'Banion's band of bootleggers. Moran had long despised Capone, mockingly referring to him as "The Beast."

    At about 10:30 a.m., four men burst into the SMC Cartage Co. garage that Moran used for his illegal business. Two of the men were dressed as police officers. The quartet presumably announced a raid and ordered the seven men inside the garage to line up against a wall. Then they opened fire. Witnesses, alerted by the rat-a-tat staccato of submachine guns, watched as the gunmen sped off in a black Cadillac touring car that looked like the kind police used, complete with siren, gong and rifle rack.The victims, killed outright or left dying in the garage, included Frank "Hock" Gusenberg, Moran's enforcer, and his brother, Peter "Goosy" Gusenberg. Four of the other victims were Moran gangsters, but the seventh dead man was Dr. Reinhardt Schwimmer, an optician who cavorted with criminals for thrills. Missing that morning was Capone's prize, Moran, who slept in.

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    Now wuz he an optometrist or an optician?

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    He worked as a failing Optometrist. Today he would be considered an Optician because he had no medical training.

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    He was an OD. Guess who his son ended up being? A WWII fighter pilot hero, I think an Ace. Already had changed his name to O'Hare. There's an airport in Chicago named for him. Perhaps you've heard of it.

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    Master OptiBoarder rinselberg's Avatar
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    For more about Reinhardt Schwimmer and the Valentine's Day Massacre:
    http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...&postcount=739

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    Last edited by rinselberg; 02-16-2008 at 04:55 PM.

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    Did any optometrists have "medical training" in 1929?

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    Master OptiBoarder rbaker's Avatar
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    None at all. I have a 1932 catalogue and student manual from the Fenway School of Optics in Boston. I will see if I can resurrect it and post it here. Back in those days the runt of the litter became an optometrist.

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    Quote Originally Posted by rbaker View Post
    None at all. I have a 1932 catalogue and student manual from the Fenway School of Optics in Boston. I will see if I can resurrect it and post it here. Back in those days the runt of the litter became an optometrist.
    That was before they became chiropractors. Didn't Jewelers also dabble in optics back in the day?

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    Cape Codger OptiBoard Gold Supporter hcjilson's Avatar
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    It's always a good idea to check your facts.....

    Quote Originally Posted by cocoisland58 View Post
    He was an OD. Guess who his son ended up being? A WWII fighter pilot hero, I think an Ace. Already had changed his name to O'Hare. There's an airport in Chicago named for him. Perhaps you've heard of it.
    Eddie Ohare did not change his name, and was not the son of the optometrist murdered on St Valentine's day in 1929. He was the son of "fast Eddie O'Hare" who was a lawyer connected with Capone.
    Story can be found here:

    http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors...chandeddie.htm
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    Quote Originally Posted by chip anderson View Post
    Did any optometrists have "medical training" in 1929?
    Do they now?:D

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    Quote Originally Posted by hcjilson View Post
    Eddie Ohare did not change his name, and was not the son of the optometrist murdered on St Valentine's day in 1929. He was the son of "fast Eddie O'Hare" who was a lawyer connected with Capone.
    Story can be found here:

    http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors...chandeddie.htm
    I was always told it was the optometrist. Urban legends.

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    Surely, you don't mean Paul Harvey would lie?

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    Quote Originally Posted by chip anderson View Post
    Surely, you don't mean Paul Harvey would lie?
    Now you know .....the rest.........of the story.

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