Located some more information in newspaper clippings about my black sheep cousin, Harry Pierpont, and his family. Seems the family felt like the police were harassing them because of their son's involvement with John Dillinger. They also claimed that he didn't murder the sheriff.
His parents were Joseph Gilbert and Lena (Orcutt) Pierpont. Lena was related to me on the Metzner side of the family. Will have to see if I can find out anything else about their tavern plans, I believe at one point they had a restaurant near Lakeville as well.
Hammond Times, Hammond, Indiana July 13, 1934, page 14 |
PIERPONTS SEEK COURT ORDER
Goshen, Ind. July 13 (U.P.) - A court order to restrain detectives from following them will be sought by Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Pierpont, parents of Harry Pierpont, Dillinger gang lieutenant.
Their intention was announced upon their arrival here to open a beer tavern two miles west of Goshen.
Both expressed bitterness over their inability to escape constant surveillance.
They denied that their son is guilty of slaying Sheriff Jesse Sarber, of Lima, O., in delivering John Dillinger from jail there last October, and claimed they neither was acquainted with the bandit leader.
They said Pierpont was at home the night Sarber was killed. He is under death sentence in the Ohio state prison in connection with the murder.