MELVIN H. PURVIS Purvis fills out and signs a check to pay Consumers Power Company for $26.49. Partly Printed Check filled out and signed: "Melvin H. Purvis", 8¼x3. Kalamazoo, Mich., 1943 March 4. Drawn on the First National Bank and Trust Co., Kalamazoo, payable to Consumers Power Co. for $26.49. On July 22, 1934, FBI Agents, led by Melvin H. Purvis (1903-1960), shot and killed Public Enemy Number One, John Dillinger, outside a Chicago movie theatre. Purvis, Director of the Chicago FBI office, also led the team of law enforcement officers who apprehended and killed Charles Arthur "Pretty Boy" Floyd that same year. Purvis, known as "Little Mel" for his stature (just under five feet tall), was reportedly forced out of his office the following year due to the jealously of J. Edgar Hoover over Purvis' nationwide attention. He pursued careers in law and broadcasting, and served as a Captain in U.S. Army Intelligence in the European Theater, WWII. In declining health by 1960, Purvis was found dead with a self-inflicted wound delivered with the .45 automatic given him by colleagues when he left the FBI. Although initially ruled as a suicide, some debate stands as to whether Purvis accidentally shot himself while cleaning the gun. Bank cancellation holes touch writing, not signature. Slight show through of bank stamp on verso does not touch signature. Faint ink stains across. Slightly toned. Corners and edges slightly worn. Otherwise, fine condition. - Please contact us if you have any questions or require additional information. DOCUMENT 18240

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