Willie Doody was a gang member in the 1920s. The pictures give some clues and indications about his scandalous life. The first picture was taken in an alley in Chicago, Illinois, and shows Willie surrounded by a group of men. It looks as though he is being arrested since two men are holding him by his arm and wrist. They look as though they are taking orders from someone as to what should be done next. The man on the right side of the picture is carrying two black bags. I am assuming that these are filled with money that Willie had stolen, which is the reason for his arrest. I cannot understand however why this man is smiling.
This next picture shows Willie sitting
ahead of safe. The police might have returned to the scene of the
crime to photograph him with the safe he stole from, which remains open.
I think this might be a good assumption since he is wearing the same clothes
shown in the picture of his arrest. Two men can be seen
sitting by his side and may be there to prevent him from an escape.
The caption for the third picture read
“Bailiff Joe Chemma and Willie Doody, alleged gangster, walking towards
the camera in a hallway in a jail.” Willie is walking down a hall
with brick walls and an iron-barred door seen in behind him. This
picture could have been taken while Joe Chemma accompanied Willie to court
to be tried for his recent robbery. It seems as though he is confined
to the jail during the trial until the case is settled.
This final picture shows Willie sitting by his attorney.
I think this picture was taken the same day as the previous one since Willie
is wearing the same tie. I am guessing they are in court and things
went well judging by the smile on Willies face.
These pictures lead me to conclude that Willie Doody was arrested for robbery, went to court, and later sat with his attorney, pleased with the trial. I noticed that Willie’s clothing was simple and had a nerdy quality about him. He did not seem like the typical gang member. My opinion of him, however, may be influenced by the polished gangsters dressed in extravagant suits I am used to seeing in Hollywood movies. I don’t think Willie Doody was one of the major mob figures of the 1920s since I could not find any information about him on the web. This may explain why he was arrested alone without the help of fellow gangsters, and may also explain his simple attire.