War and Conflict | Page 15

Isadore Blumenfeld (Kid Cann) on trial

Isadore Blumenfeld, alias Kid Cann (seated at center), on trial for the murder of Walter W. Liggett in Minneapolis, 1936.

Diagram of Liggett murder scene

Diagram of the scene of the murder of Walter W. Liggett. Minneapolis Star, January 30, 1936.

Drawing of Liggett murder scene

Diagram of the scene of the murder of Walter W. Liggett. Original caption: “Upon a photograph of the alley behind 1825 Second Avenue S., where Walter Liggett was slain last night. The Star’s artist shows how the car from which Liggett was killed drew alongside the editor’s automobile and fired the five shots which instantly killed the publisher.” Minneapolis Star, December 10, 1935

Scene of the murder of Walter W. Liggett

Scene of the murder of Walter W. Liggett, Minneapolis,1935.

Walter W. Liggett and his wife

Walter W. Liggett and his wife, possibly during his trial on a rape charge, 1935.

Newspaper headline announcing Kid Cann’s 1934 conviction

Front page headline and article from the Minneapolis Star (March 13, 1934) reporting on the conviction of Isadore Blumenfeld (Kid Cann) and sentencing to the workhouse for his participation in an illegal alcohol syndicate.

Kid Cann

Kid Cann, ca. 1935. Photo by George E. Luxton.

Blumenfeld, Isadore “Kid Cann” (1900–1981)

In the annals of Minneapolis crime one man occupies the place held by Al Capone in Chicago and Meyer Lansky in New York and Miami: Isadore Blumenfeld, also known as Kid Cann. He was a lifelong criminal who made fortunes in liquor, gambling, labor racketeering (all protected through political corruption), and real estate. Only late in life did he serve more than a year in prison. He retired in Florida and died rich.