Was Harry's Relationship Ever Mentioned?

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One of the curiosities in my mind regarding how Harry PIERPONT (1902-1934) was connected with my family, was whether or not it was ever mentioned by family members how closely they were related when his name was in the papers.

They may not have followed his early criminal career as much, but by the time of the breakout from Michigan City and the Dillinger breakout, Harry was front page news.  Reading the papers from that era, it was a near daily experience to have Harry's name mentioned in the newspaper.

How much contact grandma Ruth (Haley) LeMaster (1911-1990) and her sisters had with Harry when he was growing up is unknown.  Aunt Carrie would be more Harry's age.  Was there ever a family reunion of the METZNER clan where Harry and my grandmother met?  Harry's was born in Muncie and grew up in Indianapolis, but it wouldn't be too far outside the realm of possibility that there may have been some family contact.  In my life, I don't have much contact with my second cousins as I did when growing up, but I do have vague notions of where there are now.  Perhaps grandma and Harry were the same.


In recent discussion with my dad, aunt Carrie had mentioned there was some connection with Dillinger, and uncle Waymon was fearful of the gang.  Of course, those with first hand knowledge are gone now. Will have to see what else I can learn at the next family reunion.