If Grandma's in Heaven, Watch Out!
The 1930's Bonrud Gang
by
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After the shootout in Benson, the gang needed a place the gather their thoughts. It was about 2:00 am and they still needed to get to Monte. Duco pulled the car off the road and behind some thick trees. They couldn't be spotted parked here.
When they got out of the car they took inventory of the damage. The complete inventory stopped at the rear of the car, the 2 tires were shot out and flat. They only had one spare tire.
Cleon, Blanch and the wounded Walter made the decision to get another car from some farmer. Duco would stay behind with the other two girls and the hostage.
The threesome started walking looking for a farm house. They said that it felt like hours before they came up to Ed Larson's farm. They banged on the door several times. Soon a sleepy eyed Ed opened the door. Cleon mentioned that he and other friends are stranded because of a broken down car. He asked Ed if he would take him to town for help. Ed agreed and fetched his cloths and car keys.
Once in the car Ed got a bit suspicious. Ed asked for directions to any particular town. Cleon stated he wanted to retrieve his friends first. Ed complied. Cleon was giving all sorts of left and right directions. He finally noticed a sign on the side of the road that said, "Entering Benson City Limits". Cleon shouted, Turn around, now!" Ed turned the car around.
Cleon let on why they were running and told Ed, if he did any monkey business, he would be shot. He told Ed to make a right hand turn at the next road. Ed claimed that the next road was Lake Kessel road and it was somewhat under water, and they will get stuck. Cleon shoved his gun up Ed's nose and said, "If we get stuck it will be bad for you!"
Well, sure enough, a few blocks later they got struck. Ed had a shot of adrenaline shoot through his veins and proclaimed, "I've had enough of you boys pushing me around and I refuse to go any farther with you all!.
Cleon reached across him and opened the door. He shoved Ed out of the car. Ed laid on his back in the mud and watched Cleon slide out of the car and then stand over him. Cleon gave him a chilling look of death and then raised his gun and pointed it at Ed's eye and slowly pulled back the hammer on the pistol..............................................................................
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About the Book
This is a true Minnesota crime story set in the 1930's. Its about a very prolific gang that performed over 63 car jackings, kidnappings and armed holdups. It was a seven member gang. It had 4 men and 3 women. Two of the men had served time in the St Cloud Prison for larceny and armed robbery. They were the seed that started the gang by enlisting family members.
They were eventually caught after going through several salvoes of gun fire. They were arrested and held in the Chippewa County jail. Here they had to sober up from a long drinking binge and face the fact that they were now in the hands of the law, but any slip up could land them in the face of a hanging party. The Chippewa County Sheriff was worried that the gangs friends and relatives might try a rescue attempt while in Montevidio and the Chief of Police in Benson was afraid of a lynch mob when the gang was transported to Benson for trial.
This book begins with the author's explanation of gang activity and growth over the decades and explains how the prohibition and depression affected the WW1 Doughboys after the end of the war.
It tells of the gangs' real cheerleader and antagonist and how she ruined the lives of her daughter and nearly ruined the lives of her grandchildren.
My grandparents were members of the Bonrud Gang, and my grandma was their cheerleader. This is their story.
About the Author
Like thousands before me, I'm a new author with a story to tell. I understand to have a book that sells well the story needs to be interesting and well put together. Okay, I did my best to bring you a story with those quality's but the story you are about to read is true. I took the story above what other writers shy away from. I wrote a true story about my family, in particular, about my grandparents. They were 2 of the 7 member Bonrud Gang. This gang was so prolific in the performance of armed robbery, kidnapping and car jackings the lawmen couldn't believe the confessions.
I make no excuses for their actions nor do I apologize for their lawless faults. I don't forgive them and I don't want to bury their story away where nobody can read about them. I considered them dangerous and hardened criminals that had no pitty in their hearts for what they did to their victims. The truth is, they had larceny in their hearts until the day they died. Even on their death beds they couldn't ask for foregivness.
I pull no punches in this book. It's told as it happened. My grandparents, great aunts and uncles with a friend made up the Bonrud Gang. After you read it, the title becomes very clear.