The Purple Gang

The Purple Gang was Detroit’s most notorious organized crime syndicate during the Prohibition era, wielding significant power over the city’s underworld from the late 1920s to the early 1930s. Primarily comprised of Jewish immigrants, the gang engaged in activities such as bootlegging, extortion, and gambling, leaving a lasting mark on Detroit’s history and contributing to a period of intense criminal activity. Their influence extended beyond Detroit, with alleged connections to infamous events like the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago.

History

The origins of the Purple Gang can be traced back to a group of young delinquents from Detroit’s lower east side, an area known as “Little Jerusalem,” bounded by Gratiot Avenue, Brush Street, Willis Avenue, and Russell Street. Initially known as the “Sugar House Boys” or “Sugar House Gang” due to their association with Charles Leiter and Henry Shorr’s Oakland Sugar House, the group began as petty criminals before evolving into a sophisticated criminal organization. The Burnstein brothers – Raymond, Joseph, Isadore, and Abraham – emerged as the principal leaders, guiding the gang’s ascent to power. The gang’s early activities centered around petty theft and disruption, but quickly escalated with the advent of Prohibition and the lucrative opportunities it presented.

The Purple Gang rose to prominence by hijacking alcohol shipments crossing the Detroit River from Canada. They quickly established a reputation for ruthlessness and efficiency, becoming a dominant force in the illegal liquor trade. Al Capone, the notorious Chicago gangster, even chose to utilize the Purple Gang to supply Old Log Cabin whiskey, recognizing their control over the Detroit distribution network rather than attempting to directly compete with them. The gang’s influence extended beyond bootlegging, as they also became involved in gambling and drug trafficking, solidifying their control over Detroit’s underworld.

Geography

The Purple Gang’s operations were heavily concentrated in Detroit, particularly within and around the “Little Jerusalem” neighborhood on the city’s lower east side. This area served as a base of operations and a recruiting ground for new members, many of whom were first- or second-generation Jewish immigrants. The proximity to the Detroit River was strategically important, facilitating the smuggling of alcohol from Canada. The gang’s control extended beyond this immediate area, however, encompassing much of the city and its surrounding suburbs.

Their activities weren’t limited to Detroit itself. The gang’s reach extended into Chicago, with allegations of involvement in the infamous St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. While the extent of their participation remains debated, the connection highlights the gang’s expanding influence and willingness to engage in violent acts beyond their Detroit stronghold. The Detroit River served as a crucial geographical element, enabling the flow of illegal goods and establishing Detroit as a key hub in the Prohibition-era smuggling network.

Culture

The Purple Gang’s identity was shaped by its predominantly Jewish membership, a relatively unusual characteristic for organized crime groups of that era. Members included individuals like Joe Leibovitz, Izzy “The Rat” Sutker, and Hymie Paul, who formed a subgroup known as the “Little Jewish Navy”. This distinct cultural composition set them apart from the predominantly Italian and Irish gangs that dominated other major cities. The gang’s internal dynamics and code of conduct were likely influenced by this shared cultural background.

The origin of the name “Purple Gang” itself is shrouded in mystery, with several competing theories. Some suggest it stemmed from the “purple” slang used to describe victims of their violence, while others attribute it to a member’s purple sweater or a dispute with the Purple Line Company taxi service. Another theory links the name to the use of purple dye to sabotage competitors in the Cleaners & Dyers War. Regardless of its origin, the name became synonymous with the gang’s ruthless reputation and dominance in Detroit’s underworld.

Notable Residents

The Burnstein brothers – Raymond, Joseph, Isadore, and Abraham – were the central figures in the Purple Gang’s leadership. They orchestrated the gang’s operations and maintained control over its various criminal enterprises. Beyond the Burnsteins, several other individuals played significant roles within the organization. Brothers Louis, Sam, and Harry Fleisher were also deeply involved in the gang’s activities.

Joe Leibovitz, along with Izzy “The Rat” Sutker and Hymie Paul, comprised the “Little Jewish Navy,” a particularly notorious subgroup within the Purple Gang. These individuals were known for their involvement in the gang’s most violent and daring operations. The tragic fate of Paul, Sutker, and Leibovitz – murdered during a supposed peace negotiation at the Collingwood Manor Apartment building in 1931 – marked a turning point in the gang’s history and signaled its eventual decline.

Decline

The Purple Gang’s reign of terror began to unravel in the early 1930s, primarily due to internal strife and escalating warfare with rival gangs. The murder of Hymie Paul, Isadore Sutker, and Joe Leibovitz in 1931, ostensibly during a peace negotiation, exposed the deep-seated distrust and betrayal within the organization. This event, known as the Collingwood Manor Massacre, significantly weakened the gang’s leadership and fractured its unity.

As law enforcement increased its pressure and rival gangs challenged their dominance, the Purple Gang gradually lost its grip on Detroit’s underworld. The gang’s control over gambling, liquor, and drug trade diminished, and its members began to disperse or align themselves with other criminal organizations. By the mid-1930s, the Purple Gang had largely ceased to exist as a cohesive force, its legacy remaining as a cautionary tale of ambition, violence, and the fleeting nature of criminal power.

Organized crime in Detroit Prohibition in the United States History of Detroit Detroit River