When the Gem City was infatuated by a Valentine’s Day Massacre gangster

George “Bugs” Moran’s gang was in a duel for control of organized crime in the Windy City. Seven of Moran’s thugs were shot dead by men disguised as police officers. It is believed notorious gangster Al Capone was responsible for the murders.

Seventeen years later Moran, that flashy hooligan, was in Dayton. Here are three things to know about the summer of 1946:

» READ MORE: When a Chicago gangster grabbed Dayton’s attention

Credit: Handout

Credit: Handout

Celebrity gangster. During the summer of 1946, the biggest gangster Dayton had ever seen kept the community riveted to a story of kidnapping, robbery and bootlegging.

That's a lot of sawbucks. Moran and two accomplices kidnapped a bar manager on his way to "Moraine City" and relieved him of $10,000 – all in $10 bills.

Sensational stories. Riveting testimony and descriptions of Moran's wife, a former showgirl who wore a "well-fitting suit that showed her slim figure to an advantage," helped sell newspapers.

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