Revisionist Look At John and Billie: Their Relationship Was Healthy, Not Violent



Non-fiction books published on Dillinger during the 1960s invoked a scene which allegedly occurred in Florida during the Holiday Season, 1933. In this highly dramatic scenerio, Dillinger punches his beloved Evelyn "Billie" Frechette in the face, giving her two black eyes. He knocks her through the rented mansion they share with their close friends and confederates, the other members of the Pierpont/Clark/Makley gang. This occurs in spite of the close bond between the gang members, which would motivate any of the others to come to her defense immediately. She then limps to the bedroom, opens a drawer of clothing, and as Dillinger orders her to "pack her things," or something similar, she packs a suitcase and limps out of the house. This investigative piece will examine the evidence that disputes this story. The sources are FBI documents, and interviews with Evelyn Frechette's family members.



Did John Hit Billie? by Ellen Poulsen