On This Day: 1897 Gangster and bootlegger, Jack 'Legs' Diamond (also known as Gentleman Jack) is born Jack Moran to Irish immigrants Sara and John Moran in Philadelphia. Diamond survived a number of attempts on his life between 1916 and 1931, causing him to be known as the "clay pigeon of the underworld". In 1930, Diamond's nemesis Dutch Schultz remarked to his own gang, "Ain't there nobody that can shoot this guy so he don't bounce back?" Diamond was known for leading a rather flamboyant lifestyle. He was a very energetic individual, his nickname 'Legs' derived either from his being a good dancer or from how fast he could escape his enemies. For a gangster, Diamond was also loyal, but was not averse to betraying someone when he saw fit. His wife, Alice was never supportive of his lifestyle, but did not do much to dissuade him from it. Diamond was a womanizer, his best known mistress was showgirl and dancer Marion 'Kiki' Roberts. The public loved Diamond, he was Upstate New York's biggest celebrity at the time. During Prohibition, Diamond traveled to Europe to score beer and narcotics. He also oversaw bootleg alcohol sales in downtown Manhattan. His activities ensured bloody gang warfare especially involving another east coast mobster Dutch Schultz who tried to have 'Legs' whacked on a number of occasions. At the time, one of Schultz’s main enforcers was Vincent “Mad Dog” Coll who was born in Gweedore, County Donegal. Diamond had been shot a number of times and escaped with his life. In 1930, two men forced their way into Diamond's hotel room, shot him five times and fled. Still in his pajamas, Diamond staggered out into the hallway and collapsed. When asked later by the New York Police Commissioner how he managed to walk out of the room, Diamond said he drank two shots of whiskey first. Legs was finally gunned down in 1931 while in a drunken stupor following a court case acquittal.
