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Show WHAT'S IN A NAME Colorful Nicknames Abound In Underworld, FBI Learns WNU Features. "Cotton Patch Molly," "Bowlegged Bessie," Iron Foot Florence," "Butcher Knife Lizz," "Iligh Bill Lill," "Mustache "Mus-tache Annie! " These probably aren't the type of nicknames which the typical American woman would choose for herself, but they are among the colorful and unusual appellations by which female characters of the underworld are known. This is revealed by the identification division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which uti-4 lizes nicknames as means of tracking track-ing down criminals in its relentless drive against law violators. Files on nicknames, palm prints, footprints and general appearance data are maintained by the FBI for identification identifi-cation purposes to supplement its collection of fingerprints, largest in the world. Iqdicative of the FBI's thorough and systematic effort to maintain complete data on members ot the underworld mob, the file contained 4C9.513 nicknames at the start of the year. During the past year 47,580 nicknames were added to the list. Although an Individual may change his real name many times, as a general rule bis nickname sticks, FBI agents point out In emphasizing the effectiveness ef-fectiveness of this means of Identification. This has been found particularly true In cases Involving check forgers, impersonators imper-sonators and extortionists. The women have no corner on the unique nicknames found in FBI files. Also included in this category are such cognomens as "Alibi Good Kid," "Am I Blue." "Barrell House Shorty," "Beef Stake Bob," "Blue Shirt Slim." "Chew Tobacco Lewie," "Gold-Tooth Frenchy," "Liver Lip," "Sweet Cakes" and "Whoop Em Up Willie." Notorious public enemies of the 1930s are recognized more often by their nicknames than their true names. The given name of "Baby-face" "Baby-face" Nelson was Lester M. Gillis. "The Owl" was in actuality Basil Hugh Banghart. "Pollynose" Kator, a member of the Touhy gang, was 'FATSO' AND TOIXYNOSE' Nicknames Stick (the nickname of August John Lamar. Roger Touhy was commonly com-monly known as "Black" Roger. Joseph Raymond Negri, associate of "Babyface" Nelson was dubbed VFatso." Members of the Barker-Karpis gang also had their nicknames. "Ma" Barker was the name accorded ac-corded Kate Barker by her sons and their underworld pals. Arthur Barker was known as "Doc." Alvln Karpis was nicknamed "Old Creepy" because of his cold stare and precision in carrying out his crimes. Charles Arthur Floyd was widely known as 'Pretty Boy." A criminal may receive a nickname nick-name because of some physical characteristic, unusual personality trait or criminal specialty. "Cockeye "Cock-eye Mary" was labeled as such by her underworld pals because of her facial appearance. Another criminal's crimi-nal's extensive vocabulary prompted prompt-ed the nickname of "Dictionary." "Sweet Lips" did not live up to his name, FBI agents ascertaining ascer-taining that he had been In custody cus-tody of police several times for offenses ranging from vagrancy through counterfeiting. The nickname, "Wildfiower," also proved misleading. The Individual Individ-ual bearing that name was arrested ar-rested for assault. In many instances law enforcement enforce-ment agencies will have little, if any, information about a wanted criminal except perhaps a nickname nick-name and a smattering of descriptive descrip-tive data. When this information is forwarded to the FBI, a search through the nickname file sometimes some-times results in an identification. "Kentucky Red" was the only name known for an individual who was selling drugs in New York City. FBI nickname files furnished his correct name, descripUve data and his whereabouts at the time. Nicknames have not been confined con-fined to the criminal element "Machine "Ma-chine Gun" Kelly originated a nickname nick-name for the special agents of the FBI when they apprehended him in a dawn raid at Memphis, Tenn., on September 26. 1933. "Don't shoot G-men, don't shoot!" he cried. This name caught the fancy ot the public as well as that of the under world. To this day FBI agents are known as "G-men." |
