Can Josh Gates Locate John Dillinger’s Missing Fortune? | Expedition Unknown

This story centers on one of the most dramatic moments in the history of John Dillinger’s criminal career—the infamous shootout at Little Bohemia Lodge, which marked a key moment in the manhunt for America’s Public Enemy No. 1. Here’s a breakdown of the events and investigation that follow:

Dillinger at Little Bohemia:

In 1934, John Dillinger and his notorious gang were hiding out in the remote Little Bohemia Lodge in Wisconsin, a place they used as a temporary hideout while evading the FBI. The lodge’s location was ideal for a criminal crew looking to lay low—it was far from prying eyes and the bustling cities where they’d already become infamous. Dillinger wasn’t just a criminal; he was a national celebrity, and the pressure on him to evade capture was immense.

The FBI Raid:

While at Little Bohemia, Dillinger and his associates, including Baby Face Nelson and John Red Hamilton, were trying to keep a low profile. But their cover was blown when the FBI was tipped off by the lodge owner’s wife, who was nervous about the gang’s presence in the area. When the FBI arrived with plans to capture Dillinger, things went horribly wrong. They mistakenly opened fire on three innocent civilians who were leaving the lodge, killing one of them.

Amid the chaos, Dillinger and his gang managed to escape, slipping away through a back window as gunfire rang out. The FBI’s raid had turned into a complete debacle, with agents failing to catch Dillinger or his associates—who managed to get away yet again.

What Happened to the Loot?

As the FBI’s attempts to capture Dillinger failed, one lingering question remained: What happened to the large fortune in cash and bonds that Dillinger and his gang were known to have stolen? Dillinger had only $7.70 on him when he was gunned down months later at the Biograph Theater, suggesting that the majority of his loot had been hidden.

A significant clue comes from Pat Harrington, the girlfriend of gang member John Hamilton. She told a reporter that there was a suitcase full of cash buried at Little Bohemia—a place where Dillinger and his gang had spent several days hiding out. They likely had plenty of time to stash their loot somewhere they thought the authorities wouldn’t find it.

The Search for the Loot:

The team heads north to Little Bohemia Lodge to search for the missing fortune, beginning their investigation by heading to Little Star Lake, which sits directly behind the lodge. They believe the gang may have thrown the suitcase or money into the lake to get rid of the evidence before making their escape.

To carry out the search, they call in Dan Carlson, an ice-diving expert with a reputation for tough and risky underwater searches. This isn’t their first cold-water investigation—previously, Carlson’s team helped search for the lost ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, where the team nearly froze in the process. This time, the search conditions are still icy, as the lake had only just thawed out after winter.

Equipped with sonar and metal detectors, the team dives into the frigid waters, bundled in dry suits to avoid hypothermia. Visibility is poor, making the search challenging, but the team is determined to uncover any evidence of the lost loot.

The Search Underwater:

The divers begin to make their way along the lakebed, using sonar to detect any unusual objects or shapes beneath the surface. After a while, they get a hit that seems promising—a large, manmade object about 30 feet from their position. The object appears to be cylindrical in shape, much like a drum or canister.

As they get closer, they find that the object is indeed manmade and seems to be heavy, with a concrete core and rebar on its surface. The team speculates that this could be the stash Dillinger and his gang had hidden in the lake—perhaps an attempt to dispose of the cash and bonds before the FBI could catch up to them. However, as the team investigates further, they find that the object may not be the hidden loot they were hoping for, but rather a large, boring weight, which is used in construction or other industrial settings.

Despite the initial excitement, they don’t find any of the missing fortune in the lake. The investigation leads them to the conclusion that, if the loot was hidden in the water, it’s no longer in this part of the lake.

Conclusion:

Despite the lack of discovery in Little Star Lake, the investigation into the missing loot continues. The story of Dillinger’s escape from Little Bohemia Lodge, the chaotic shootout with the FBI, and the question of where the money went remains a captivating chapter in the history of one of America’s most infamous criminals.

Although this search didn’t yield the results the team hoped for, it highlights the enduring mystery surrounding Dillinger’s criminal empire and his ability to evade the law. The money and bonds he stole were never fully accounted for, and the hunt for Dillinger’s hidden fortune continues to fascinate historians and treasure hunters to this day.