Public Enemy No. 1 Event planned in Bangor for 70th anniversary of Brady Gang shootout

BANGOR – For someone who was gunned down by FBI agents on Central Street nearly 70 years ago, Al Brady sounded rather chipper Friday morning when he spoke about the events that transpired in October 1937.

“We came up here back then to check out the fall foliage. We heard you were nice people. We liked your women, too,” said the notorious gangster and bank robber, who in reality was in town that day to buy a tommy gun. “But you had quite a welcoming committee.”

Of course, the real Al Brady lies buried in an unmarked grave in Bangor’s public cemetery. Bangor historian and author Dick Shaw donned a snappy pinstriped suit and fedora Friday, and took on the character of the man once called Public Enemy No. 1 to announce a planned re-enactment of the deadly shootout.

The re-enactment and the accompanying parade and dance are set for 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7, and will give spectators a chance to learn about one of the most infamous events in Bangor’s history.

“We think it’s time for Bangor to have an event like this,” said Gerry Palmer, executive director of Northeast CONTACT, the consumer advocacy organization sponsoring the event. “It’s a part of Bangor’s history, and there are many misconceptions about what happened. We want to be accurate. We want to make history live.”

The event, which will raise funds for CONTACT, will feature Shaw, Palmer and other community members taking on the roles of the figures involved in the shootout, as well as an old-time car parade and a 1930s street dance. Participants are encouraged to dress up in period clothing.

“We don’t want to glorify the violence, or the gangsters,” cautioned Palmer. “The Brady Gang trying to buy machine gun parts at Dakin’s Sporting Goods is an example of consumerism gone very bad.”

Shaw has extensive knowledge of the shootout, which occurred the morning of Oct. 12, 1937. Over the years, he’s collected items associated with the Brady Gang. He’s got everything from the cigarette lighter from the gangsters’ stolen Buick, to one of the actual bullets that riddled Brady’s body. The bullet was kept by FBI agent Walter Devereaux for decades until it came into Shaw’s possession.

“People hear of my interest and bring things to me,” said Shaw. “I paid $250 for Brady’s leg irons.”

During the re-enactment, Palmer will play the role of Everett “Shep” Hurd, owner of Dakin’s Sporting Goods, who allowed plainclothes G-men inside his shop and later received the $1,500 reward for turning Brady in. Many other roles are available for those interested in taking part, including the other gangsters, the FBI agents, Bangor police officers and the undertaker who took away Brady’s body.

Palmer and Shaw plan to offer DVDs of footage taken within five minutes of the actual event, as well as other Brady memorabilia. Additional activities for the afternoon will be announced at a later date. They’re also looking for anyone who witnessed the shootout in any way, as well as more sponsors. To get involved, call Northeast CONTACT at 944-8000.

Clearly, Shaw relishes the opportunity to bring a slice of history to Bangor’s residents, and enjoys playing the Brady character, complete with red carnation in his lapel and 1930s slang.

“I didn’t know if I should come back to Bangor,” said Shaw, while in character. “Are they going to be dancing on my grave?”

Got an interesting Brady shootout anecdote? Did you or someone in your family witness the event or its aftermath? Tell us about it. Contact Eric Zelz at ezelz@bangordailynews.net or write to him at Bangor Daily News, PO Box 1329, Bangor 04402.