Daily Freeman Journal photo by Kolleen Taylor: Betty Passick autographs a book for Connie McLaughlin at the end of her program on Saturday "Gangster in Our Midst." The presentation was held at the Mulberry Center Church in the Wilson Brewer Park. Passick wrote this book based on first-hand knowledge of a gangster who lived in her hometown in Iowa.

Betty Passick was 9 years old when her family moved to the town of Fairbank, Iowa in the early 1950s. Only a few days after arriving, one of the neighbors whispered to her, “This town has a gangster.”

This begins the story she told of writing the book “Gangster in our Midst” at the Mulberry Center Church in the Wilson Brewer Park on Saturday.

“Do any of you know if there were ever gangsters in Webster City?” she asked as she began her program.

Amid the whispers between the pews, someone spoke up, “I don’t know about that, but Fort Dodge was called ‘Little Chicago’ when I was a kid.”

Heads began to nod, and they were hooked on every word.

A journalist who wrote for her hometown paper, Passick researched every rumor and story she uncovered, exploring family trees, newspaper clippings, and photographs to verify what she used in her book. She confirmed that indeed, the bookkeeper for Al Capone, Louie La Cava, who started his connections with Capone in New York City, had moved first to Chicago and then to this small town.

Passick talked with people who remembered La Cava, and shared many stories, many incorporated in this book.

Passic explained that first she wrote her family history, carefully researching, and sharing family stories. That book was 400 pages long and took her five years. The book on La Cava took one year. Passick, who now lives in Minnesota, was asked if she did a book presentation in her hometown.

“Oh yes,” she exclaimed, “I launch all my books at the library in Fairbank.”

And there are descendents of La Cava who still live in the area.

“My first book talk had La Cava family members attending,” she explained, “and when we went to questions and answers, one of the women said ‘I ought to sue you for writing about my great uncle Louie.'”

Passick was able to befriend her, and assure her of the authenticity of her facts. Then the La Cava niece opened up a large book she had with her, which contained photos of her entire family, including the gangsters wife and children.

There were many questions, and the program didn’t wrap up until nearly 2:30. Attendees were invited to purchase copies and she signed all that were purchased. Passick will be returning to the area in the fall when she has another presentation on Oct. 6 in Fort Dodge.

The next program at the Mulberry Center Church will a the one-act play by Tom Milligan on Aug. 16. His presentation is called “American Dreamer: The Life and Times of Henry A. Wallace.”

All programs at the Mulberry Center Church begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoons. The programs are free to the public, but freewill donations are appreciated.