Harry Pierpont

Harry Pierpont was the middle child with an older sister Fern (b. September 21, 1900), who died of tuberculosis when he was a teenager, and a younger brother Fred (b. July 5, 1906).

His father was from Kentucky, and his mother, from Jay County, Indiana, was of German ancestry.

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-born leader.

Fiercely loyal, he had a reputation for taking care of those around him and not squealing on his friends.

He disliked publicity, and was content to let others, especially Dillinger, take credit for the bold bank robberies committed after the Michigan City prison break.

By the 1910 census, the family was residing at 1145 McLain Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Harry's father's occupation was listed as a woodworker at a carriage factory.

In the 1911 and 1912 directories of the city of Indianapolis, the family was living at 1234 Lee Avenue.

Pierpont graduated from the eighth grade at Assumption School in Indianapolis.

He had above-average intelligence and did well in school.

By the 1920 census, the family was residing at 2113 Morris Street in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Harry's occupation was listed as a bench worker at an automobile plant.

Pierpont's troubles with the police began after an accident in the summer of 1921, in which he received a severe head injury.

His demeanor was changed after the accident, and Pierpont complained of eye problems, dizziness and headaches.

Pierpont displayed bouts of sleeplessness and mania for firearms.

He stood over six feet tall, with light brown hair and blue eyes.

The second and third toes of his feet were grown together.

In 1921 at Indianapolis, Pierpont was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.

He was held for ten days and then dismissed.

Concurrently with his first arrest, Pierpont was committed to the state hospital.

In the Record of Inquest held on September 19, 1921, his mother states that he became sullen, suspicious, and prone to outbursts after his injury and, two days later, he was committed to the state hospital for the mentally ill, Central Indiana Hospital.

Pierpont was diagnosed with dementia praecox of the hebephrenic type.

On January 2, 1922, Pierpont stole an automobile in Indianapolis and drove to Greencastle, where he robbed the Cook Hardware store, stealing 9 handguns.

Five days later, Pierpont was arrested in Indianapolis for attempted auto theft and battery with intent to kill.

The owners of the automobile, Mr. and Mrs. Devine, caught him in the act.

Struggling with Mr. Devine, Pierpont fired a gun, slightly wounding him.

Mrs. Devine was holding a roast, and hit Pierpont over the head with it.

While being held in jail at Terre Haute, Pierpont failed in an escape attempt, sawing through the bars of his cell.

On March 12, 1922, Pierpont entered the Indiana reformatory for a two to fourteen year sentence for assault and battery with intent to murder.

On November 17, 1923, Pierpont was transferred to the newly built reformatory at Pendleton, Indiana.

On May 1, 1923, Indiana Governor McCray denied Pierpont's request for clemency.

The superintendent of the prison wrote that Harry was "as wild as a March Hare."

Pierpont's mother Lena often visited the superintendent and told him about Pierpont's mental illness.

Pierpont's mother campaigned for his release, claiming that he was insane.

The parole board granted him parole on March 6, 1924.

After his release, Pierpont worked in Brazil, Clay County, Indiana where, during his first stint in prison, his family had moved; his father operated a sand and gravel business for several months.

At his May 1925 trial in Kokomo, his place of residence was never clearly established.

He was said to have lived in Fort Wayne, Toledo and Indianapolis, and was known to have hung around Kokomo for some time before the bank robbery was framed.

Pierpont was executed in the electric chair on October 17, 1934.

Pierpont was born in Muncie, Indiana, to Joseph Gilbert and Lena (Orcutt) Pierpont.