EAST LIVERPOOL - More than 100 guests enjoyed a night of food, entertainment and reflection Thursday.
The East Liverpool Historical Society held its annual dinner and had a program saluting Columbiana County law enforcement officers connected to the capture and death of Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd.
This year marks the 75th anniversary of Floyd's death.
For federal authorities, including J. Edgar Hoover's lead crime and mobster investigator, Melvin Purvis, Floyd was "Public Enemy No. 1."
In a twist of fate, Floyd was making his way to Oklahoma when he passed through the area. He wrecked his car outside of Wellsville.
When local law enforcement officers realized who it was, Purvis and others headed to East Liverpool.
On Oct. 22, 1934, Floyd was gunned down on the Ellen Conkle farm off Sprucevale Road. Purvis was there along with then-East Liverpool Police Chief Hugh McDermott.
Memorabilia, photos, paintings, newspaper clippings and a host of other items were on display at Thursday night's event at the East Liverpool Country Club.
The evening's events were broken down into three sections, and the Trinity Singers - Maxine Sutherland, Bill Hutchman and Carol Walton - entertained the crowd with musical numbers from the period.
Bill Hogue, portraying then-Wellsville Police Chief John Fultz, started the reenactment by talking about how the event started in Wellsville.
Bill Gray then took over as Deputy George Hayes who nearly stopped Floyd at a road block as Floyd was headed toward the Lisbon area.
The shots at the Conkle Farm striking Floyd were fired by East Liverpool Police Officer Chester Smith, portrayed by Jeff Hendrickson.
Historical Society President Tim Brookes, a Floyd aficionado, portrayed McDermott and talked about Floyd's notoriety and the shooting's aftermath.
Even the meal served Thursday night mimicked what was reported to be Floyd's last meal.
The Historical Dinners have been held early in November each year since 1982.
According to East Liverpool Historical Society member Joan Witt, it's the organization's intent to inform and entertain the members of the community.
