Criminal. He was a bank robber, who was a member of the notorious John Dillinger's gang. With an alcoholic father, his childhood was not easy. After running away from home at age 16, he worked as a waiter or bellhop. He was first arrested for being drunk. On June 23, 1923, Van Meter was sentenced to 41 days in jail for larceny. The next year, he stole an automobile and was sentenced to time in the Southern Illinois Penitentiary, yet was paroled in December of 1924. Three months later he robbed a train and was sentenced to 21 years at Indiana Reformatory. It was there he met Dillinger before being transferred to the Indiana State Prison. He was release on parole in 1933 but within a short time, he and Baby Face Nelson robbed two banks for a total of $100,000. He and Dillinger robbed police arsenals to replenish arms and ammunition needs. At this point, the FBI were looking for him and other members of the gang including Dillinger. Hiding from the law, the gang continued to rob. During these robberies, he allegedly shot three policemen and killed one. On July 22, 1934, Dillinger was killed. He fled to St. Paul but was eventually found by the police and started to run. Since he had a gun in his hand, the police fired at him, killing him. He was hit by 26 buckshot slugs and a single machine gun bullet with all being in his back. He was buried with his family at Lindenwood Cemetery.
Criminal. He was a bank robber, who was a member of the notorious John Dillinger's gang. With an alcoholic father, his childhood was not easy. After running away from home at age 16, he worked as a waiter or bellhop. He was first arrested for being drunk. On June 23, 1923, Van Meter was sentenced to 41 days in jail for larceny. The next year, he stole an automobile and was sentenced to time in the Southern Illinois Penitentiary, yet was paroled in December of 1924. Three months later he robbed a train and was sentenced to 21 years at Indiana Reformatory. It was there he met Dillinger before being transferred to the Indiana State Prison. He was release on parole in 1933 but within a short time, he and Baby Face Nelson robbed two banks for a total of $100,000. He and Dillinger robbed police arsenals to replenish arms and ammunition needs. At this point, the FBI were looking for him and other members of the gang including Dillinger. Hiding from the law, the gang continued to rob. During these robberies, he allegedly shot three policemen and killed one. On July 22, 1934, Dillinger was killed. He fled to St. Paul but was eventually found by the police and started to run. Since he had a gun in his hand, the police fired at him, killing him. He was hit by 26 buckshot slugs and a single machine gun bullet with all being in his back. He was buried with his family at Lindenwood Cemetery.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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