DEADLY CONSEQUENCES
A 10-Day Digital series from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, 2024, the 100th anniversary of the end of the Ashley Gang
Part 3 of 10
BAD DAD
John Ashley and his brothers followed the criminal example of their father Joe
BY GREGORY ENNS
While the patch-eyed John Ashley is historically acclaimed as the leader of what became known as Florida’s notorious Ashley Gang, it was John’s suave father, Joe Ashley, who forged a path of criminality for John and his four brothers.
Until the 1920s, Joe typically had been portrayed as law-abiding and supporting his son out of paternal loyalty. He seemed slightly apologetic for John’s actions and appeared to have a jocular relationship with both the media and law enforcement.
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