Who is Elise Johnson Bumpy? Elise Johnson McDougald, known as Bumpy Johnson, was a notorious Harlem gangster and racketeer who operated during the mid-20th century.
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1905, Johnson moved to Harlem as a teenager and quickly became involved in the criminal underworld. He started as a bootlegger during the Prohibition era and later expanded his operations to include gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking. Johnson became known for his ruthlessness and brutality, and he was feared by both criminals and law enforcement alike.
In the 1940s, Johnson became a key figure in the Harlem underworld, controlling much of the illegal activities in the area. He was also a close associate of Lucky Luciano, the Italian-American crime boss who was one of the most powerful gangsters in the United States at the time. Johnson's criminal empire reached its height in the 1950s, but he was eventually arrested in 1959 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released from prison in 1963 and died in 1968.
Elise Johnson Bumpy is a fascinating figure in American history. He was a ruthless criminal, but he was also a complex and charismatic individual. He was a product of his time and place, and his story is a reminder of the dark side of the American Dream.
elise johnson bumpy
Elise Johnson Bumpy was a notorious Harlem gangster and racketeer who operated during the mid-20th century. He was a ruthless criminal, but he was also a complex and charismatic individual. Here are six key aspects of his life and career:
- Early life: Born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1905, Johnson moved to Harlem as a teenager and quickly became involved in the criminal underworld.
- Bootlegging: Johnson started his criminal career as a bootlegger during the Prohibition era.
- Gambling: Johnson later expanded his operations to include gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking.
- Harlem underworld: In the 1940s, Johnson became a key figure in the Harlem underworld, controlling much of the illegal activities in the area.
- Lucky Luciano: Johnson was a close associate of Lucky Luciano, the Italian-American crime boss who was one of the most powerful gangsters in the United States at the time.
- Arrest and imprisonment: Johnson was arrested in 1959 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released from prison in 1963 and died in 1968.
These six aspects provide a glimpse into the life and career of Elise Johnson Bumpy. He was a ruthless criminal, but he was also a complex and charismatic individual. He was a product of his time and place, and his story is a reminder of the dark side of the American Dream.
Personal details and bio data of Elise Johnson Bumpy:
| Name: | Elise Johnson McDougald |
| Born: | 1905, Charleston, South Carolina |
| Died: | 1968, New York City |
| Occupation: | Gangster, racketeer |
| Known for: | Controlling much of the illegal activities in Harlem in the 1940s and 1950s |
Early life
Elise Johnson Bumpy's early life played a significant role in shaping his later criminal career. Born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1905, Johnson moved to Harlem as a teenager. Harlem was a major center of the African American community in the early 20th century, and it was also a hotbed of criminal activity. Johnson quickly became involved in the criminal underworld, starting out as a bootlegger during the Prohibition era.
- Economic factors: Johnson's family was poor, and he was forced to drop out of school at a young age. This lack of education and economic opportunity made it difficult for Johnson to find legitimate work, and he turned to crime as a way to make a living.
- Social factors: Harlem was a segregated community, and African Americans faced discrimination and racism on a daily basis. This discrimination made it difficult for Johnson to succeed in mainstream society, and he turned to crime as a way to gain power and respect.
- Cultural factors: The criminal underworld in Harlem had its own set of values and norms. Johnson was drawn to this world, and he quickly adopted its values and lifestyle.
These factors all contributed to Johnson's decision to become a criminal. His early life experiences shaped his personality and worldview, and they set him on the path to a life of crime.
Bootlegging
Bootlegging was a major part of Elise Johnson Bumpy's criminal career. Prohibition, the ban on the sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States, was in effect from 1920 to 1933. This ban created a huge demand for illegal alcohol, and bootleggers like Johnson made a lot of money by smuggling and selling alcohol.
Johnson's bootlegging operation was based in Harlem, and he quickly became one of the most successful bootleggers in the city. He had a network of suppliers and distributors, and he was able to get alcohol to his customers quickly and efficiently. Johnson's bootlegging operation was so successful that he was able to expand his criminal empire to include gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking.
The Prohibition era was a major turning point in Johnson's life. It was during this time that he became a major player in the criminal underworld, and he established himself as one of the most powerful gangsters in Harlem.
Gambling
Gambling was a major part of Elise Johnson Bumpy's criminal career. He started out as a bootlegger during the Prohibition era, but he quickly expanded his operations to include gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking. Gambling was a lucrative business for Johnson, and it helped him to increase his power and influence in Harlem.
Johnson's gambling operation was based in Harlem, and he controlled a number of gambling dens and casinos. He also had a network of bookmakers and runners who took bets on sporting events and other events. Johnson's gambling operation was so successful that he was able to use his profits to expand his criminal empire into other areas, such as extortion and drug trafficking.
Gambling was a key component of Elise Johnson Bumpy's criminal career. It helped him to increase his power and influence in Harlem, and it provided him with the financial resources to expand his criminal empire into other areas. Gambling was also a major source of entertainment for people in Harlem, and it helped to create a sense of community.
Harlem underworld
Elise Johnson Bumpy's involvement in the Harlem underworld was a key factor in his rise to power. In the 1940s, Johnson became a key figure in the Harlem underworld, controlling much of the illegal activities in the area. This gave him a great deal of power and influence, and it allowed him to expand his criminal empire into other areas, such as gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking.
There are several reasons why Johnson was able to become such a powerful figure in the Harlem underworld. First, he was a ruthless and cunning criminal. He was not afraid to use violence to achieve his goals, and he was always looking for new ways to make money. Second, Johnson had a strong network of allies and associates. He was able to build a loyal following of criminals who were willing to do his bidding. Third, Johnson was able to take advantage of the political and social climate of Harlem in the 1940s. The neighborhood was undergoing a period of great change, and there was a lot of corruption and violence. This gave Johnson the opportunity to establish himself as a powerful figure in the community.
Johnson's involvement in the Harlem underworld had a profound impact on his life and career. It allowed him to become one of the most powerful gangsters in Harlem, and it gave him the financial resources to expand his criminal empire into other areas. Johnson's involvement in the Harlem underworld also led to his eventual downfall. He was arrested in 1959 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released from prison in 1963, but he was never able to regain his former power and influence.
Lucky Luciano
Elise Johnson Bumpy's association with Lucky Luciano was a key factor in his rise to power. Luciano was one of the most powerful gangsters in the United States at the time, and his support gave Johnson a great deal of legitimacy and protection. Johnson and Luciano worked together on a number of criminal enterprises, including gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking.
- Shared interests: Johnson and Luciano shared a common interest in making money and expanding their criminal empires. This shared interest led them to work together on a number of profitable ventures.
- Mutual respect: Johnson and Luciano respected each other's abilities and accomplishments. This mutual respect helped to strengthen their bond and made them more likely to work together.
- Strategic alliance: Johnson and Luciano's alliance was a strategic one. It allowed them to pool their resources and expertise, and it gave them a greater degree of control over the criminal underworld.
- Personal connection: Johnson and Luciano also had a personal connection. They were both from immigrant families, and they shared a similar worldview. This personal connection helped to strengthen their bond and made them more likely to trust each other.
Johnson's association with Lucky Luciano was a major turning point in his life and career. It allowed him to become one of the most powerful gangsters in Harlem, and it gave him the financial resources to expand his criminal empire into other areas. Johnson's association with Luciano also led to his eventual downfall. He was arrested in 1959 and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was released from prison in 1963, but he was never able to regain his former power and influence.
Arrest and imprisonment
The arrest and imprisonment of Elise Johnson Bumpy was a major turning point in his life and career. He was arrested in 1959 on charges of drug trafficking and conspiracy to commit murder. He was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Johnson served four years of his sentence before being released on parole in 1963. He died in 1968 at the age of 63.
Johnson's arrest and imprisonment had a profound impact on his life. He lost his power and influence in the Harlem underworld, and he was never able to regain his former status. His imprisonment also took a toll on his health, and he died of a heart attack in 1968.
The arrest and imprisonment of Elise Johnson Bumpy is a reminder of the dangers of a life of crime. Johnson was a powerful and successful gangster, but he was also a victim of his own ambition. His story is a warning to others who may be tempted to follow in his footsteps.
Frequently Asked Questions about Elise Johnson Bumpy
Elise Johnson Bumpy was a notorious Harlem gangster and racketeer who operated during the mid-20th century. He was a ruthless criminal, but he was also a complex and charismatic individual. Here are some frequently asked questions about Elise Johnson Bumpy:
Question 1: What was Elise Johnson Bumpy's real name?
Elise Johnson Bumpy's real name was Elise Johnson McDougald.
Question 2: When and where was Elise Johnson Bumpy born?
Elise Johnson Bumpy was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1905.
Question 3: What was Elise Johnson Bumpy's nickname?
Elise Johnson Bumpy's nickname was Bumpy Johnson.
Question 4: What criminal activities was Elise Johnson Bumpy involved in?
Elise Johnson Bumpy was involved in a variety of criminal activities, including bootlegging, gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking.
Question 5: When was Elise Johnson Bumpy arrested and imprisoned?
Elise Johnson Bumpy was arrested in 1959 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Question 6: When and how did Elise Johnson Bumpy die?
Elise Johnson Bumpy died in 1968 of a heart attack.
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Elise Johnson Bumpy. He was a complex and controversial figure, and his story continues to fascinate people today.
Key takeaways:
- Elise Johnson Bumpy was a powerful and feared gangster in Harlem.
- He was involved in a variety of criminal activities, including bootlegging, gambling, extortion, and drug trafficking.
- He was arrested in 1959 and sentenced to 15 years in prison.
- He died in 1968 of a heart attack.
Transition to the next article section:
Elise Johnson Bumpy's story is a reminder of the dangers of a life of crime. He was a powerful and successful gangster, but he was also a victim of his own ambition. His story is a warning to others who may be tempted to follow in his footsteps.
Conclusion
Elise Johnson Bumpy was a complex and controversial figure. He was a ruthless criminal, but he was also a product of his time and place. His story is a reminder of the dangers of a life of crime, but it is also a reminder of the importance of understanding the social and economic factors that can lead people to a life of crime.
Elise Johnson Bumpy's story is a cautionary tale, but it is also a story of resilience. He was able to overcome the challenges he faced in his early life and become a successful criminal. However, his success came at a price. He spent many years in prison, and he died a violent death. His story is a reminder that there is no easy way to achieve success in life. However, it is also a reminder that it is possible to overcome even the most difficult challenges.
