Dutch Schultz: The Rise and Fall of a Mobster Legend and His Lost Treasure
Early Life and Entry into Crime
Dutch Schultz, born Arthur Simon Flegenheimer on August 6, 1902, in the Bronx, New York, is a name that resonates with notoriety in the annals of American organized crime. The son of German Jewish immigrants, Schultz's early life was marred by poverty and hardship. After his father abandoned the family in 1910, Schultz left school and started working odd jobs to support his mother and siblings. His foray into the world of crime began in his teenage years when he started burglarizing apartments and engaging in petty thefts.
The allure of quick money led Schultz to the more lucrative endeavors of the underworld. By the early 1920s, he had found his niche in burglary and was soon operating a gang that dealt with stolen goods. However, his criminal career took a significant turn during Prohibition, when he saw an opportunity in the illegal liquor trade.
Prohibition and the Rise to Power
Schultz’s entry into the bootlegging business marked the beginning of his rise to power. He swiftly established himself as a brutal and efficient leader, eliminating rivals and establishing a monopoly over the beer and liquor supply in the Bronx and parts of Manhattan. His methods were ruthless, and his reputation for violence…
