Tag Archives: John Looney

Helen Van Dale: A woman of the criminal underworld Part II

Posted on July 31, 2019 by SCblogger

Please read Part I of Helen’s story here. Bold lettered headlines covered the front page of local newspapers on the morning of August 1, 1922 in Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island, Illinois. William “Bill” Gable, owner of a soft drink … Continue reading →

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Helen Van Dale: A woman of the criminal underworld Part I

Posted on July 11, 2019 by SCblogger

Most individuals living in the Quad Cities are familiar with the name John Looney. From his home base across the Mississippi River in Rock Island, Illinois, Looney created an illegal empire that included gambling, prostitution, protection money, and illegal alcohol … Continue reading →

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The Stockmen’s Savings Bank Heist: Part I

Posted on December 14, 2012 by SCblogger

December 1921 was not looking to be a merry holiday for many people in Davenport and Scott County. The country was struggling to get out of a sharp recession that had begun in 1920. Times were tough and jobs were … Continue reading →

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