Ten years after Ten years ago today I made a surprising discovery. While making my first foray into the new world of online genealogy, I found that my great-great-grandfather’s long-lost brother, Lou Blonger, had reigned for 30 years as the criminal kingpin of Denver, Colorado. I also determined that no one else in my extended […]
The Drunken Orgy
To commemorate the Great Raid on the Blonger gang, we present this cartoon from the Denver Times, March 27, 1923. Scott photgraphed it on a recent trip to Denver. The original clipping was found in the papers of Robert Maiden, part of the collection at the Denver Public Library. Maiden was working for the Federal […]
Blonger Day, Belated
Now that Scott has had his say, I’d like to add my two bits. In past years (though I missed last year) I’ve taken this opportunity to review the finds of the preceding twelve months, and talk a bit about the future. Back to it. Good Old Mountain Dew In 2011 I got my first […]
Beehive Ranch
Speaking of Lou’s cherry orchard, the Beehive Ranch, here’s Lou outstanding in his field in 1917: This picture of Lou seems to have made other appearances over the years. You decide:
Amy Reading on HuffPost
Amy has an article on huffingtonpost.com about great American con men, including Lou…
Mystery Mary
Of the Blonger graves listed on Find-a-Grave, that of Mary (Mollie/Mattie) M. Blonger remains a mystery. We’re not sure who she is, but it’s tempting to think this might be the Mollie Blonger accused of running a brothel in Albuquerque in 1888, just a few days after hooker Kitty Blonger killed Charles Hill in Peach […]
Desperately Seeking Sam
Do you have an eye for detail? Then you might like this puzzler. We recently discovered Sam Blonger’s gravesite online, thanks to these photos from Scotti McCarthy. From her Find-a-Grave post, we know that Sam is buried in Section 20 of Riverside Cemetery. I think it will be easy enough to find Sam’s grave when […]
Slumber Party at the Bee Hive Ranch
On Saturday, April 17, 1920, the Colorado foothills were hit by a spring blizzard that covered the tracks of the interurban line that ran through Lou Blonger’s cherry orchard, the Bee Hive Ranch, in suburban Lakewood. After the three-car train stalled, it was quickly covered with snow. Luckily the passengers were evacuated to Lou’s place, […]
What’s With The Shades, Sammy Boy?
Speaking of Sam’s demise in 1914, we have yet another item of interest to share on Lou’s older brother. Correspondent Kenny Vail — who, by the way, says he has a trove of information on numerous Blonger confederates, including Charlie Ronan, Con Caddigan, and Billy Nuttall — recently contacted us with an article he came across in the […]
Amy Reading’s Interview on WILL
You can listen here. A review of her book will be forthcoming in this space.