The Shotgun Man

By Crusader1307

 In as far as Urban Legends go, the Tale of The Shotgun Man is not as well known – but does create ''creepy vibes'' when the ''Ghost Story'' portions comes into play. Our Tale takes place in Chicago, Illinois around 1911. A massive influx of Italian immigrants came into The City and established themselves in a portion known as ''Little Italy''. With their rich customs, so to came another form of ''culture'' – The ''Black Hand''. The organization was a Sicilian based organized Crime syndicate (later called a Mob), who wished to establish their control in America. They had already taken control of large portions of New York and were now ''spreading out''. Soon ''The Hand'' faced other smaller but equally ruthless Italian (and others) Gangs. Open warfare and assassination became the norm (and would continue well into the late 1940s and 1950s).


''The Hand'' was said to have ''hired'' one of the most elusive and effective Assassins they could get. Some say ''He'' was from Italy, others America. Still others claim that ''The Hand'' had ''cut a deal with Satan'' to give ''them the ultimate Killer''. And while most Assassins relied on quiet but deadly strikes, this One had His own special ''calling card''. It was a Shotgun. Loud and possibly NOT the kind of ''stealth'' weapon a Hitman might use, The ''shotgun Man'' was not trying for stealth. He was sending messages. As we know, the firearm produces horrific injuries to it's ''target'' – often depending on the kind of shot used, it can easily ''blow off'' a limb.......or a head! Chicago Police records of the time record that on March 26, 1911, at the intersection Oak Street and Milton Avenue (now part of what is known as ''Little Sicily''), ''Shotgun Man'' gunned down 4 to 8 people (depending), in 72 hours. Each had their heads ''removed'' by shotgun blasts. No one saw Him strike and no saw Him leave each scene. This led the more superstitious among local residents to believe that Shotgun Man was indeed.......a Demon working for The Hand. His exploits would continue for years, well into the early 1920s. Always the same method of murder, always never being seen coming or going. Some say The Hand (who would eventually lose their grasp of Chicago to the rise of the likes of Capone and others, they lost also their power over Shotgun Man. Most assume as an Assassin that when the ''money dried up'' so to did He.


However, in the 1950s – a series of shotgun murders hit the suburbs again. Victims were either part of or associated with Organized Crime at the time. Some (this time), claim to have ''seen'' a ''figure of a Man, dressed in 1920s clothing – suddenly appear from nowhere'' and shoot these victims. The ''figure'' was said to have ''no face''. As soon as the deed was done, the ''figure just vanished into smoke''. Now granted, perhaps the credibility of the ''witnesses'' can come into question. The two who witnessed this ''appearance'' were already wanted by The Police and perhaps they felt that if they had information about these killings, they could ''cut a deal''. But other that the more older people of the neighborhood, no one would remember the original Shotgun Man. But then again, even today – a strange ''feeling'' is often reported when people drive thru or walk by that ''certain intersection''. Maybe the ''Old Timers'' were right, perhaps when The Hand was chased out by Capone and His ''Gang'', they forgot to ''banish'' their ''Servant''. Maybe He still waits to be so ''called''..............