Today in Wheeling History: January 17--Paul Hankish, a local organized crime figure, was critically injured in a car bombing in front of his Wheeling home (1964).
On January 17, 1964, at 10:25am, Paul Hankish, a local organized crime figure, was critically injured in a car bombing in front of his home at 336 Richland Avenue in the Warwood neighborhood of Wheeling, West Virginia. Hankish was entering a tan 1964 Studebaker sedan with West Virginia dealer plates DUC 5 609 when the explosion occurred. Nearby resident Mrs. George Thomas of 339 Richland Avenue heard the blast and was likely the first on the scene. 23-year-old Earl Bowers was also close by and approached the mangled vehicle. Hankish, conscious but in agony, was extracted from the car after emergency crews, including Police Chief Louis M. Kulpa, Lt. William J. Thomas, Fire Chief William McFadden, and the ambulance arrived around 10:40am. With severe injuries to his legs and hands, Hankish was transported to Wheeling Hospital. Before being taken into surgery after noon, Hankish muttered the name "Bill Lias," implicating the legendary organized crime boss as potentially responsible for the bombing.
Paul Nathaniel Hankish was born on July 8, 1931, in West Liberty, Ohio County, West Virginia, to parents Peter Kahil and Elenora Hankish. Known as a powerful mobster and racketeer, Hankish was convicted of several crimes, including tax evasion, labor racketeering, and running an illegal gambling operation. He served multiple stints in prison throughout his life. Hankish died on May 11, 1998, at the age of 66.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/3x5cdyht) (http://tinyurl.com/4bde5tyc) (http://tinyurl.com/bdedktcf) (http://tinyurl.com/2vzruk7d) (http://tinyurl.com/2wnnwupr) (http://tinyurl.com/2vzruk7d)
Photo Credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register
On January 17, 1964, at 10:25am, Paul Hankish, a local organized crime figure, was critically injured in a car bombing in front of his home at 336 Richland Avenue in the Warwood neighborhood of Wheeling, West Virginia. Hankish was entering a tan 1964 Studebaker sedan with West Virginia dealer plates DUC 5 609 when the explosion occurred. Nearby resident Mrs. George Thomas of 339 Richland Avenue heard the blast and was likely the first on the scene. 23-year-old Earl Bowers was also close by and approached the mangled vehicle. Hankish, conscious but in agony, was extracted from the car after emergency crews, including Police Chief Louis M. Kulpa, Lt. William J. Thomas, Fire Chief William McFadden, and the ambulance arrived around 10:40am. With severe injuries to his legs and hands, Hankish was transported to Wheeling Hospital. Before being taken into surgery after noon, Hankish muttered the name "Bill Lias," implicating the legendary organized crime boss as potentially responsible for the bombing.
Paul Nathaniel Hankish was born on July 8, 1931, in West Liberty, Ohio County, West Virginia, to parents Peter Kahil and Elenora Hankish. Known as a powerful mobster and racketeer, Hankish was convicted of several crimes, including tax evasion, labor racketeering, and running an illegal gambling operation. He served multiple stints in prison throughout his life. Hankish died on May 11, 1998, at the age of 66.
To learn more: (http://tinyurl.com/3x5cdyht) (http://tinyurl.com/4bde5tyc) (http://tinyurl.com/bdedktcf) (http://tinyurl.com/2vzruk7d) (http://tinyurl.com/2wnnwupr) (http://tinyurl.com/2vzruk7d)
Photo Credits: Wheeling Intelligencer, Wheeling News-Register
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