Lena Pierpont (September 13, 1883 – October 21, 1958) was the mother of Prohibition gangster
Harry Pierpont
Harry "Pete" Pierpont (October 13, 1902 – October 17, 1934) was a Prohibition era gangster, convicted murderer and bank robber. He was a friend and mentor to John Dillinger.
Described as handsome and soft-spoken, Pierpont was a bright, natural-b ...
. Her fierce loyalty to her son and his compatriots led to her arrest on numerous occasions by police in an attempt to ascertain her son's whereabouts.
Early life
Lena was born in
Jay County, Indiana
Jay County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 20,478. The county seat is Portland.
History
The Indiana State Legislature passed an omnibus county bill on 7 February 1835 that authorized the creation of t ...
, to James Orcutt and Samantha E. Metzner. Lena was the second of four children. On her seventh birthday, her mother died. Her father later remarried and moved the family to
Muncie, Indiana
Muncie ( ) is an incorporated city and the county seat, seat of Delaware County, Indiana, Delaware County, Indiana. Previously known as Buckongahelas Town, named after the legendary Delaware Chief.http://www.delawarecountyhistory.org/history/docs ...
.
Marriage and family life
At age 16, on November 27, 1899, in Muncie, Lena married Joseph Gilbert Pierpont (June 1881-October 6, 1961). Joseph's father had migrated from Kentucky to the Muncie area in the late 1880s.
In the 1900 census, Lena L. Pierpont was enumerated in Center Township,
Delaware County, Indiana
Delaware County is a County (United States), county in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 111,903. The county seat is Muncie, Indiana, Muncie.
Delaware County is part of the Muncie, IN metropoli ...
, married within the year.
Lena was the mother of three children: Fern (b. September 21, 1900); Harry (b. October 13, 1902); and Fred (b. July 5, 1906), all born in Muncie.
By the 1910 census, the family was residing at 1145 McLain Street in
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis (), colloquially known as Indy, is the state capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the seat of Marion County. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the consolidated population of Indianapolis and Mari ...
, where her husband's occupation was listed as a woodworker in a carriage factory. In the 1911 and 1912 directories of the city of Indianapolis, the family was living at 1234 Lee Avenue.
Lena's oldest child, Fern, died of tuberculosis in Indianapolis in 1919.
By the 1920 census, the family was residing at 2113 Morris Street in Indianapolis.
Family's trouble with the law
In 1921 in Indianapolis, Lena's son Harry was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. He was held for ten days and then dismissed.
[King 2005, p. 19.] Concurrent with his arrest, Harry was committed to the state hospital.
In the Record of Inquest for Harry Pierpont held on September 19, 1921, she stated that he had become sullen, suspicious and prone to outbursts after a severe head injury. Harry was committed to the state hospital for the mentally ill
Central Indiana Hospital on September 21.
Harry was diagnosed with
dementia praecox
Dementia praecox (meaning a "premature dementia" or "precocious madness") is a disused psychiatric diagnosis that originally designated a chronic, deteriorating psychotic disorder characterized by rapid cognitive disintegration, usually beginnin ...
of the
hebephrenic
Disorganized schizophrenia, or hebephrenia, was a subtype of schizophrenia prior to 2013. Subtypes of schizophrenia were no longer recognized as separate conditions in the '' DSM 5'', published in 2013. The disorder is no longer listed in the 11t ...
type.
On March 12, 1922, Harry Pierpont was sentenced to the Indiana reformatory at Jeffersonville for a two- to fourteen-year sentence for assault and battery with intent to murder.
Lena often visited the superintendent and told him about Harry's mental illness.
She tirelessly campaigned for his release from prison, claiming he was insane. The parole board granted him parole on March 6, 1924.
After his release from prison, Harry worked in his father's sand and gravel business in
Brazil, Indiana
Brazil is a city in Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 7,912 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Clay County. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area. The current chief executive of Brazil ...
, for several months.
[King 2005, p. 20.] Harry continued to associate with several known bank robbers, and may have robbed the Southwine Theater in
Brazil, Indiana
Brazil is a city in Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 7,912 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Clay County. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area. The current chief executive of Brazil ...
.
Harry was arrested in
Detroit
Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...
,
Michigan
Michigan () is a state in the Great Lakes region of the upper Midwestern United States. With a population of nearly 10.12 million and an area of nearly , Michigan is the 10th-largest state by population, the 11th-largest by area, and the ...
, on April 2, 1925, and jailed in
Kokomo, Indiana
Kokomo ( ) is a city in Indiana and the county seat of Howard County, Indiana, United States. It is the principal city of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Howard County, the Kokomo-Peru CSA, which includ ...
. Pierpont was alleged to be the leader in the robbing of the South Marion, Upland and South Kokomo Banks in Indiana.
[Alleged Bank Bandit Leader Held article, Marion Leader-Tribune, Marion, Indiana, April 3, 1925, p.1.]
Lena and her husband came to Kokomo on Saturday, April 4, 1925, and arranged with the firm of Overman & Healy and Carl Bree to look after the interests of Harry when arraigned and to defend him in his upcoming trial.
[Prisoners To Stay In City Says Sheriff article, Kokomo Daily Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, April 5, 1925, p. 1]
While Harry Pierpont was awaiting trial in
Howard County, Indiana
Howard County is one of 92 counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 83,658. The county seat is Kokomo. Originally named Richardville County, it was renamed in 1844 to commemorate General Tilghman Ashurs ...
, Lena's other son,
Fred Pierpont, was arrested for aiding his brother in an escape attempt, but was later acquitted of the charges.
Convicted of bank robbery, Harry was sentenced to serve a sentence of ten to twenty-one years, and fined $1000.00.
[Kokomo Bandit In Prison Break article, Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, December 29, 1930, p.1]
Association with the Dillinger Gang
While serving his sentence at the
Indiana Reformatory
The Pendleton Correctional Facility, formerly known as the Indiana Reformatory, is a state prison located in Fall Creek Township, Madison County, near Pendleton and about northeast of Indianapolis. Established in 1923, it was built to replace ...
at
Pendleton, Indiana
Pendleton is a town in Fall Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,253 at the 2010 census.
History
Pendleton was platted in 1830, and incorporated as a town in 1854. It was named for town founder Thomas Pendle ...
, Lena's son Harry first met
John Dillinger
John Herbert Dillinger (June 22, 1903 – July 22, 1934) was an American gangster during the Great Depression. He led the Dillinger Gang, which was accused of robbing 24 banks and four police stations. Dillinger was imprisoned several times and ...
. Harry was the convict Dillinger looked up to the most. Harry caused the Pendleton Warden, A.F. Miles, so much trouble that he was transferred to the
Indiana State Prison
The Indiana State Prison is a maximum security Indiana Department of Correction prison for adult males; however, minimum security housing also exists on the confines. It is located in Michigan City, Indiana, about east of Chicago. The average ...
at Michigan City within two months, after he attempted to drill through the bars of his cell in an escape attempt.
On September 26, 1933, Harry Pierpont, along with nine other prisoners, escaped from the Michigan City, Indiana State Prison,
[Nine Escape From State Prison article, Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, September 26, 1933, p. 1] using guns smuggled into the prison by John Dillinger.
On October 12, 1933, Harry, along with
Charles Makley
Charles Omer Makley (November 24, 1889 – September 22, 1934), also known as Charles McGray and Fat Charles, was an American criminal and bank robber active in the early 20th century, most notably as a criminal associate of John Dillinger.
E ...
, Ed Shouse and
Russell Clark rescued John Dillinger from the Allen County Jail in
Lima, Ohio
Lima ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwest Ohio along Interstate 75 in Ohio, Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton, Ohio, Dayton, southwest of Toledo, Ohio, T ...
. During the rescue, Harry shot and killed Sheriff Jess Sarber.
On November 8, 1933, Lena's son, Fred, stood trial in
Wapakoneta, Ohio
Wapakoneta, (, ) is a city in and the county seat of Auglaize County, Ohio, United States, about north of Dayton and south of Toledo. The population was 9,957 at the 2020 census. It is the principal city of and is included in the Wapakonet ...
, for the robbery of the First National Bank of
St. Mary's, Ohio.
[Eleven Jurors Seated For Pierpont Trial article, Lima News, Lima, Ohio, November 8, 1933, p. 4.] The defense argued that Fred was mistaken for Ed Shouse, while the prosecution had witnesses that saw Fred behind the wheel of a car occupied by the bandits when it left St. Mary's.
Lena and her husband, as well as Fred's wife, Mary, and son, Harry, were in attendance.
On November 20, 1933, Fred was taken into custody at his home in
Leipsic, Ohio
Leipsic is a village in Putnam County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,093 at the 2010 census.
History
Leipsic was platted in 1857. The name is a variant spelling of Leipzig, one of the largest cities in eastern Germany.
Two buildin ...
, and held in the
Putnam County, Ohio
Putnam County is a county located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Ohio. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,451. Its county seat is Ottawa. The county was created in 1820 and later organized in 1834. Its name is in honor o ...
, jail under instruction of Allen County Prosecutor Ernest Botkin.
Two days later, he was transferred to the Allen County jail.
On November 28, 1933, Lena posted a $2500 bond and Fred was released from the Allen County, Ohio, jail.
[Fred Pierpont Freed On Bond article, Lima News, Lima, Ohio, November 28, 1933, p. 1.] Fred had been held as a material witness for the first degree murder trial of Harry Copeland for the killing of Sheriff Sarber.
Fred's original bond had been set at $10,000.
On December 14, 1933, Lena and Fred were arrested in
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, about 5 miles east of the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a ...
.
[Mother And Brother Of Harry Pierpont Jailed In Indiana article, Lima News, Lima, Ohio, December 14, 1933, p. 1.][Mrs. Pierpont Held article, Kokomo Tribune, Kokomo, Indiana, December 14, 1933, p.1.] Lena was charged with possessing an automobile bearing improper identification,
and Fred was charged with vagrancy.
Terre Haute police also seized two automobiles at a house occupied by the Pierponts, impounding $435 in cash and several papers in Lena's possession.
Captain Matt Leach of the Indiana State Police questioned Lena about her son Harry's whereabouts.
[Pierponts Free On $2,000 Bond In Terre Haute article, Lima News, Lima, Ohio, December 15, 1933, p. 8.]
On December 15, 1933, Lena and Fred were released from the
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, about 5 miles east of the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a ...
, jail after posting $2,000 bond each.
After Harry's arrest in
Tucson, Arizona
, "(at the) base of the black ill
, nicknames = "The Old Pueblo", "Optics Valley", "America's biggest small town"
, image_map =
, mapsize = 260px
, map_caption = Interactive map ...
, on January 25, 1934, and subsequent return to
Lima, Ohio
Lima ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Ohio, United States. The municipality is located in northwest Ohio along Interstate 75 in Ohio, Interstate 75 approximately north of Dayton, Ohio, Dayton, southwest of Toledo, Ohio, T ...
, for trial, Lena secured the services of city solicitor Charles W. Long to defend her son. This resulted in verbal fireworks at city council meetings.
On February 14, 1934, Lena was called before the
Allen County grand jury. After entering a "not guilty" plea, Harry's trial date was set for March 6, 1934. "I'm still proud of the Pierpont name", Lena was reported to have said to a friend while in the courtroom.
On February 19, 1934, Lena addressed a large crowd at the Lima city council, defending solicitor Long's right to defend her gangster son.
[Mrs. Lena Pierpont Defends Long Before Lima Council article, Lima News, Lima, Ohio, February 20, 1934, p. 1.] John Keville, president of the Citizens and Taxpayers League, had soundly criticized Long for taking the Pierpont case while still working for the city.
Lena addressed rumors that Long had been paid in upwards of $10,000 to defend Harry
and challenged anyone to present a member of the Pierpont family who possessed that amount of money. Keville had left the meeting before she spoke, and the council offered no comments on Lena's remarks.
Lena's husband, Joseph Gilbert Pierpont, who had been in ill health, appeared with her in Lima to confer with Harry's attorneys.
[Pierpont Asks New Judge article, Lima News, Lima, Ohio, February 27, 1934, p. 1.>] It was reported that Lena had established temporary residence in Lima at the time.
Shortly before his trial, Harry filed papers with the court asking he be allowed to confer with his mother in order to arrange for the testimony of certain witnesses who could verify his alibi
[Pierpont Declares Murder Innocence article, Lima News, Lima, Ohio, March 4, 1934, p. 1.] that he was not in
Lima
Lima ( ; ), originally founded as Ciudad de Los Reyes (City of The Kings) is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón River, Chillón, Rímac River, Rímac and Lurín Rivers, in the desert zone of t ...
on October 12, the date of the slaying of Sheriff Sarber.
Death
Lena died on October 21, 1958, in Lakeville, Indiana. She is buried in the Pierpont family plot in Holy Cross Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Lena Pierpont Memorial Page
at www.findagrave.com Her grave is in Section 3-G, Lot 252 grave 2.
References
*King, Jeffery S. (2005). ''The Rise and Fall of the Dillinger Gang'', Cumberland House Publishing.
*Toland, John (1963). ''The Dillinger Days'', Random House.
Notes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pierpont, Lena
1883 births
1958 deaths
Prohibition in the United States
Burials at Holy Cross and Saint Joseph Cemetery
People from Jay County, Indiana
People from Muncie, Indiana
People from Indianapolis