Frank “Jelly” Nash

1. Frank “Jelly” Nash The rise and fall of a Legendary criminal.

2. Early Life Frank “Jelly” Nash was born on February 6, 1887, in Birdseye, Indiana. His father, John “Pappy” Nash, started hotels in several southern towns. Nash’s mother, Alta, was the second of John’s three wives. Nash had two sisters and two stepbrothers. Living in Paragould from 1893 to 1896, he then moved with his father to Jonesboro and, afterward, to Hobart, which he later treated as his hometown. Jelly began working in his fathers hotel business, he then enlisted in the army from 1904-1907.

3. The Jumpstart of Crime The nickname Jelly originated from his profession and skill to blow things up, so jelly is slang for nitroglycerin. It is estimated that Nash was involved in about 200 bank robberies . He planned vague plans to escape prison while he was incarcerated and even when he was released.

4. Jumpstart of Crime (continued) • Jelly Nash’ first time getting arrested was in 1913. • He and a friend, Nollie “Humpy” Wartman stole $1,000 from a store in OKC. • As they were escaping, Humpy and Jelly agreed to hide the money. • Result- Jelly shot Humpy in the back, and later on convicted and sentenced to Life in OKC state penitentiary. • 1918, He convinced the warden to shorten his time so he could join the army, and on August 16, 1918, Frank Nash served in Belleau Woods.

5. The Ongoing Violence Two years later, Nash was indicted for burglary using explosives, and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He then became a trusty and got his time reduced to 5 years. Nash was released December 29, 1922 quickly joining a group of bank robbers called the Al-Spencer gang. August 20, 1923, the Spencer Gang robbed the Postal Train. Nash fled to Juarez, Mexico. The US eventually found him along with 3 others from the Spencer gang and were all charged with 25 years in prison for mail robbery, and assault on a mail custodian. He became the Wardens chef and general handyman, when he was sent out to run errands, he never returned.

6. After-That Frank Nash escaped to Chicago Illinois. Still doing crime, he assisted to help seven others escape out of prison in December, 1931 Nash moved to Hot Springs in the spring of 1932.

7. Going Back Home The feds had learned that Frank was in Hot Springs still on the run. They arrested him and drove to Fort Smith, Arkansas. Word had gotten around of where the Feds had took Nash and planned an escape.

8. The Kansas City Massacre They arrived at the Kansas City Union Station at 7:15am on June 17, 1933. Nash was placed in a parked car outside the station. Many shots were fired and at the end Nash was killed by Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, along with his gang. As a result of this tragedy, the Feds were able to carry guns and make arrest on their own.

9. Time Served Frank Nash only served 10 years of indictment in his lifetime!

10. The Kansas City Train Station The vehicle that Frank Nash was being temporarily held in. The vehicle of the murderers