Prohibition Era and Purple Gang

Detroit’s criminal landscape was dramatically reshaped during the Prohibition era, most notably by the rise of the Purple Gang, a group that dominated the city’s underworld with a unique focus on hijacking rather than traditional bootlegging. This period saw an unprecedented surge in organized crime across the United States, and Detroit became a crucial hub for illicit activities due to its proximity to Canada and the Detroit River, a prime route for smuggling. The Purple Gang, composed largely of young immigrants, quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with, impacting not only the criminal world but also legitimate businesses and the city’s social fabric.

History

The Purple Gang emerged in the 1920s, initially as a group of disruptive delinquents from Detroit’s lower east side, an area known as “Little Jerusalem” bordered by Gratiot Avenue, Brush Street, Willis Avenue, and Russell Street . The group’s origins can be traced back to Bishop School, where they began as petty criminals, and they later became associated with Charles Leiter and Henry Shorr, who ran the Oakland Sugar House, earning them the early moniker of the “Sugar House Boys” or “Sugar House Gang.” The gang was chiefly led by the Burnstein brothers – Raymond, Joseph, Isadore, and Abraham .

The origins of the name “Purple Gang” are varied and debated. Theories range from street vendors labeling them as “tainted, off-color” – hence, purple – to a member wearing a purple sweater at a renaming meeting, or even connections to the Purple Line Company taxi service and a trade war . Another explanation attributes the name to purple dye used to sabotage competitors’ clothing during the “Cleaners & Dyers War.” Unlike many other Prohibition-era gangs focused on smuggling alcohol, the Purple Gang specialized in hijacking shipments already smuggled across the Detroit River . This strategy allowed them to avoid the risks and costs associated with direct smuggling operations.

Geography

The Purple Gang’s operations were heavily concentrated in Detroit, but their influence extended beyond the city limits, particularly along the routes used for transporting illegal alcohol. The Detroit River served as a critical geographic feature, providing a direct pathway for smuggling from Canada . The proximity to Windsor, Ontario, made the river a constant flow of illicit goods, and the Purple Gang positioned themselves to intercept these shipments.

Their base of operations, “Little Jerusalem,” on Detroit’s lower east side, provided a strong community base and a degree of protection. This neighborhood, with its dense population of immigrants, offered a network of support and a reluctance among residents to cooperate with law enforcement . The gang’s reach extended to areas where alcohol was stored and distributed, including warehouses and speakeasies throughout the city. They also maintained connections in Chicago, where some members allegedly acted as spotters during the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, though the extent of their involvement remains a subject of debate .

Culture

The Purple Gang’s culture was one of violence, intimidation, and ruthless efficiency. Composed primarily of young, first-generation Jewish immigrants, the gang developed a reputation for being particularly brutal and unafraid to use force to achieve their goals . They were known as the “Third Avenue Terrors” , reflecting their aggressive tactics and control over a specific area of the city.

The gang’s internal dynamics were often fraught with tension and betrayal, ultimately contributing to its downfall. The Collingwood Manor Massacre in 1931, where three members were lured to a meeting and murdered, exemplifies the internal strife that plagued the organization . The Purple Gang also demonstrated a willingness to engage in conflicts beyond the realm of traditional organized crime, notably their involvement in the “Cleaners and Dyers War,” a dispute between the cleaning industry and its union, where they used coercion and violence to enforce membership in the Wholesale Cleaners and Dyers Association .

Economy

The Purple Gang’s economic activities revolved around the illegal alcohol trade during Prohibition. While not directly involved in smuggling across the border, they profited immensely by hijacking shipments of Canadian whiskey and other spirits . This hijacking operation became their primary source of income, allowing them to amass considerable wealth and power.

Their influence extended beyond alcohol, as they eventually controlled much of Detroit’s underworld, including gambling, liquor, and drug trade . The gang’s involvement in the Cleaners and Dyers War also generated revenue through extortion and coerced membership fees. Al Capone, recognizing the Purple Gang’s effectiveness, even chose to utilize them to supply Old Log Cabin whiskey rather than directly competing for control of the Detroit territory . Prohibition, as a whole, created opportunities for organized crime, allowing smaller gangs to expand their operations and accumulate wealth .

Decline

By the early 1930s, the Purple Gang began to disintegrate due to internal conflicts and warfare . The murder of three of its own members at the Collingwood Manor Apartment building in September 1931 signaled a turning point, highlighting the deep-seated betrayal and violence within the organization. The gang’s nearly invincible position against law enforcement began to erode as witnesses, previously too terrified to testify, became more willing to cooperate. The end of Prohibition in 1933 further diminished their primary source of income, contributing to their eventual decline. While the gang continued to exist in a diminished capacity for some time, its reign of terror over Detroit’s underworld had come to an end.