"Shoot out at Larsons Barbershop"

Shoot-Out at Larson's Barbershop
by NORMAN V. KELLY
November 13, 1933 dawned rather mildly here in Peoria, Illinois and the folks in downtown Peoria were active indeed. Over in Larson’s Barbershop at 3301 South Adams, men were waiting for an empty chair, talking, reading the morning paper and smoking. The two front doors were wide open and a pleasant breeze almost made the air breathable.
Detective Sergeant Robert E. Moran, Chief Detective Fred Montgomery and their side-kick Guy ‘Dusey’ Dusenberry were out cruising when Moran spotted a tall figure leaning inside the doorway of the barbershop. Dusey drove a block further, pulled over and moments later the three Peoria detectives were walking back towards Larson’s shop.
Russell Hughes, alias Guy West, a wanted and dangerous fugitive saw the three men walking towards him. Both his hands were in his pockets as he backed away from the open door. Moran entered first, followed by his detective friends. “Hold it right there, Hughes, don’t move.” Seconds later, according to a witness, “All hell broke loose.”
All three detectives screamed a warning and began firing their .38 and .32 caliber weapons, inter-mixed with the fugitive’s twin .38’s. The noise was deafening as bullets careened off the walls and barber chairs. Mirrors and windows shattered and the smoke from the weapons engulfed the room bringing visibility to almost zero.
THE SMOKE CLEARS
Unbelievably Russell Hughes had made it to the doorway and just as he raced out Dusey spotted him. Seeing that Moran was wounded, Dusey tossed aside his empty pistol and grabbed Moran’s weapon. Dusenberry tore out the door and spotted Hughes running down the alleyway. Montgomery was right behind the young detective as he watched Dusey fire off another round. The fugitive staggered but stumbled forward. When the two detectives caught up with the man, he was falling face first into the gravel.
A crowd had gathered and many of the people were walking down the alley toward the detectives. “Stay back folks,” Montgomery yelled, bringing the crowd to a halt. Dusey stayed close to the body of Hughes as Montgomery walked back to check on Detective Moran.
THE AFTERMATH
The room was still smoky and the smell of the acrid gunpowder burned the men’s nose and eyes. A fan was turned on and Montgomery was able to look at his own wounds. Blood was leaking down from his chest and onto his leg. Moran was sitting in a chair. “Did we get him Fred?” Fred grinned, “We got the bastard, Bob, you Okay?” Moran smiled, “Good. I’m okay, I’ll live.”
For the first time Fred noticed a man lying on the floor. A damp cloth was over his face and Montgomery thought the worse. Lawson spoke up. “Fred, he’s got a nasty wound in the stomach, I called the police station for help.”
Moments later three squads of uniformed officers took control of the scene. Fred and Dusey raced off to Saint Francis Hospital with Bob, and an ambulance took Mr. Jenkins to Proctor Hospital, where he survived.
Detective Moran was taken to surgery and reported stable. His family, friends, and police officers milled about the hospital corridors waiting for news. The Newspapers were already selling extras in the streets, as the town folks heard the terrific news of the shoot-out down at Larson’s Barbershop.
The news from Moran’s doctor was not good, telling Mrs. Moran that her husband was suffering from an infection.
MORAN CONDITION GRAVE
That was the morning headline here in Peoria November 15, 1933, and the news saddened the folks in Peoria. Before the day ended, brave Detective Moran died. He was only thirty-six years old. Folks from all parts of Peoria made their way to Bob’s home at 1859 Lincoln to pay their respects well into the late evening.
On Saturday hundreds of police officers from all over the state gathered in Peoria to honor their fallen comrade. Over at city hall the flag was lowered to half-mast, Bob’s desk was draped in black crepe and all offices were closed. Saint Mary’s magnificent church was standing room only for the requiem mass for Moran. Outside the streets were filled with folks just wanting to be part of the mourners even though the doors of the great cathedral were closed.
After the mass Father Sammon said of his fallen friend, “It is a rare case indeed when an entire city can gather to mourn but the death of Bob Moran is that case.”
With an honor guard of police officers, led by a squad of motorcycle police officers, the cortege left the church and headed for downtown Peoria where they paraded past the city hall. The tolling of the mournful church bells pealed once every minute in a final salute to Detective Moran. Folks all along the route bowed their heads in respect as the mourners went by. They then headed for Saint Mary’s Cemetery where Bob was laid to rest.
Bob Moran, husband, father, detective and friend of the city…gone now these 76 years.
Editor’s note: Norm is a local historian and author of several books on Peoria’s history.
Next month: Norm will bring us another story lost in the shadows of Peoria’s past.