Many may be shocked to learn that the person who was responsible for bringing down more public enemies was Melvin Purvis from South Carolina. Purvis was born in 1903 in the small town of Timmonsville, South Carolina. He graduated from the University of South Carolina’s law school in 1925 and passed the bar. After 20 months of practicing law, young Purvis applied to the FBI. In 1931, Purvis took over the field office in Washington and transferred to Chicago in 1932, where he became the special agent in charge. Purvis led the manhunts that resulted in the capture of John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd in Ohio, and Baby Face Nelson in Illinois. Purvis had captured more public enemies than any other agent in FBI history.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.