The violent and ruthless Purple Gang in Detroit was in control of the liquor that came in from Canada across the Detroit River into Michigan. If you wanted a good quaily bottle of spirits from the distilleries in Canada you have to deal with the Purples. Two influential members of the Purple Gang, Sam Bernstein, and Louis Fleischer lived in Albion during Prohibition. They would meet with clients that took the train from Chicago to Albion at the Bohm theater. They sat in the balcony under the projector window to discuss business. The noise from the movie and projector would cover the sound of their conversations. Prohibition has ended and the Purple Gang is gone, but the stories still linger along with the historic buildings in downtown Albion.
I have more about the Purple Gang and other interesting facts in my Lost In Michigan books on Amazon HERE
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