Gangster hides out at Stratton Hotel

North Olean History - Chicago Grand Trunk Robber
CHICAGO GRAND TRUNK ROBBER
HIDES OUT IN OLEAN
That the Chicago gangsters hid out or visited Olean was whispered about throughout the years, but what proof is there? Are there any facts to that tell us it was so? The following story makes that point.

Back in February of 1928, a plan was set into motion to rob the Grand Trunk Railroad after the train left the Chicago, Illinois Dearborn Station. William 'Willy' Jackson did the driving from Cleaver's cottage to the depot the morning of the robbery. The robbery was a success and eight thugs made off with $133,000. One of those involved in the robbery was William 'Willy' Jackson. Jackson had a long police record and skipped town after the robbery.

Jackson arrived in Olean a few months after the robbery making the Stratton his home, registering under the alias of Jack Petrone. The guests at the Stratton spoke of him as the 'Mysterious Dude' since there was no way to explain his means of support. This made him a topic of conversation at the hotel.

Upon his arrival, he claimed to be an interior decorator and intended to open a shop in Olean. One of the guests even gave him the names of several men that might be interested in such an enterprise. According to several of the younger guests at the Stratton, he got up about noon and usually retired at a late hour. He was well dressed and there was nothing about his demeanor that would indicate that he had any connections with the underworld. Although while conversing with the boys at the Stratton, he would name many of the Italians who were among Chicago's biggest gamblers. During his month stay here, he was always immaculately dressed and had the appearance of a gentleman.

Jackson or Petrone remained in Olean until May when he left on a 'Business Trip' saying that he would be back in a few days. Upon his departure he had taken his meal ticket from the rack in the dining room, and was seen wearing a gray felt hat when he left the Stratton.

Jackson was named by Charlie Cleaver, leader of the Grand Trunk robbery gang, as one of the two men who had been entrusted with the job of hiding the loot. It was thought that Jackson has gone to New York and lived the high life while the others languished in jail, unable to raise high bonds. It was also learned that Jackson had been living in Chicago at the home of Mrs. E. McGee under the name of Petrone.

A single bullet fired into the back of his head killed Willie Jackson, alias Jack Petrone. He was found lying face up, with the car keys in his pocket, besides a new Chrysler automobile with New York license plates 2-F-8866. In checking the license plates number they were issued to J. M. Petrone, The Stratton. He was wearing expensive clothes and the gray felt hat that he had purchased in Olean.

Jackson had taken pains to hide his identity; he had his face lifted by a plastic surgeon as there were faint scars indicating this, and in addition he had dyed his hair.

A policeman who testified at one of the trials said that the last time he saw Jackson was on a slab in the South Chicago morgue. Jackson's death was thought to be the result of his double-crossing his 'friends' and despite his attempts to disguise himself gangland justice was metered out.

A renewed search for the cache of missing money was started in the neighborhood where Jackson's body was found.

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