History Daily The Death of “Pretty Boy” Floyd
Oct 22, 2025
Get ready for an exhilarating tale of Charles “Pretty Boy” Floyd, the notorious outlaw. Discover his early crime spree, including a daring 1930 train escape and the fateful 1925 Kroger office robbery that cemented his infamous reputation. Explore the media's romanticized portrayal versus law enforcement's perspective on him. The Kansas City Massacre adds a chilling twist, leading to a nationwide manhunt. Finally, witness Floyd's dramatic end in a gunfight, punctuated by his last defiant words.
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Kroger Robbery Sparks "Pretty Boy" Nickname
- Louis Vazies witnessed a Kroger office robbery and chased the getaway cars before bullets forced him to back off.
- He later identified 21-year-old Charles Floyd as the "pretty boy" robber who became famous under that nickname.
Dramatic Train Escape And Return To Crime
- Charles Floyd escaped custody by leaping from a moving train in November 1930 and returned to crime instead of reforming.
- He survived the jump with cuts and bruises and resumed bank raids across the Midwest.
Media Myth Versus Law Enforcement Reality
- Newspapers romanticized Floyd as a Robin Hood figure, claiming he gave money away and destroyed mortgage records.
- That public image contrasted sharply with law enforcement's view of him as a dangerous cop killer.
