Joe Melillo’s voice was energetic and enthusiastic: “Hey Mac, you want to join us on the Dillinger Farm for the K9 search?”

I started driving north before he finished the sentence. When I was eight years old, I became fascinated with John Dillinger. I was already an expert on Bonnie and Clyde, so adding Dillinger to my catalog of knowledge came easily.

John Dillinger is why we have the FBI today. When J. Edgar Hoover branded him as Public Enemy No. 1, Dillinger’s legendary status was set in stone. But, did the FBI really get him? Is Dillinger in family plot 44 at Crown Hill Cemetery? I think about the Dillinger quote above and wonder, did they actually get him?

The team I’d be meeting includes Mike Thompson, John Dillinger’s nephew; Travis Thompson, Mike’s son; Joe Melillo from the podcast Digging Up Dillinger; and Shane Williams, the farm’s owner. Mike and I had been talking since 2019 and had formed a friendship.

This would be our first time meeting in person, and I was eager to finally meet him.

I decided to drive a few miles along the route Dillinger likely took from Indiana to Florida. The Dillinger gang shot and killed a police officer during a bank robbery in Chicago, Indiana, in 1933. Afterward, Dillinger fled to Florida. It felt fitting to take the same route—Highway 41. It was a beautiful fall day with a light, cool breeze, partly cloudy skies, and trees just starting to turn colors.

When I was a child, we didn’t have interstates, so trips to my grandparents in South Georgia or vacations in Florida took much longer. On those long trips, my mother would tell us stories of gangsters, bank robberies, jailbreaks, and going on the lam.

I would stare out the window as she shared the crimes, escapes, and hideouts, searching for places that might have been part of those stories. Back then, there were few gas stations and restaurants, and none were open 24 hours. We had to plan our trips carefully.

Occasionally, we’d pass a roadside stand run by a local resident selling fruits, vegetables, and drinks. Sometimes they’d offer homemade items like birdhouses, quilts, or even fried chicken or BBQ. I imagine Dillinger encountered several locals who might have provided him with a bottle of Coca-Cola or a meal during his travels.

As I turned onto Highway 41 toward Indiana, I paid close attention to farms, barns, old courthouses, jails, and churches. I passed through Dalton, Cartersville, and Calhoun, each with its own rich history, from Echota State Park and the Trail of Tears to carpet mills and tufted quilts. Heading toward Chattanooga, with Rock City-painted barns and scenic pull-offs,

I thought of my grandparents, Raymond and Flora, who used to take all five of us girls on mountain trips.

Many of the remaining scenic pull-offs were places where we’d stop for a picnic. As I reached Tennessee, Highway 41 followed the Red River. After crossing the Ohio River into Kentucky, the drive became even more beautiful and historic. By the time I got to Indiana, the land was flat, and the farmland stretched wide.

On a few of the narrow, two-lane roads, I could picture Dillinger speeding down in his Ford. It was clear there were many places to hide loot and guns.

I arrived at my roadside motel, too excited to sleep, knowing what the morning would bring. I’d be standing on the John Dillinger Farm, watching K9s search for a possible clandestine grave. Retired FBI Agent Stewart Filmore, a team member on this endeavor, had summed it up perfectly: “This is a search for the truth—it’s that simple. If it changes history, so be it.”

I arrived at the farm a little early because I had a few landmarks I wanted to see, and I didn’t want to keep the experts and family members waiting. I noticed a K9 truck parked across the street at a local business. I pulled in behind her, introduced myself, and admired the two beautiful Dobermans in the back of her SUV.

We made small talk before I went back to my vehicle to let my contacts know I had arrived and was standing by with the K9 team. As I waited for word from the team to meet at the house up the hill, five more K9 trucks pulled into the lot, all marked for search dogs. I’d never worked a scene with seven dogs, and I knew this would be incredible to witness.

As I exited my vehicle, Mike spotted me and said, “I know who that is!” He was as warm and friendly as I had expected. His son, Travis, made me feel just as welcome. We talked for a while, watching the K9s disembark and prepare for their search.

Then Shane Williams came over and offered to show me a few interesting places on the property. As the dogs and handlers began their work, Shane and I walked the land. Shane was informative and generous with his time.

Mike and Travis later joined us, showing me the area where the map was found years ago. I told Mike I couldn’t believe we had talked about trying to get DNA off the map in December 2019, and now I was standing where the jar was discovered. Joe was on his way and would arrive in two minutes.

Joe had been clear from our first conversation: “The only way this works is with a team, and we have four of the foremost Dillinger experts in the world on this case. Our chances of solving this are better than ever.” He was absolutely right.

A case of this magnitude and historical significance requires a team, and Joe had assembled one of the best. Today, I had the privilege of working with three of them in person.

Mike shared numerous family stories that painted a vivid picture of where the old barns and buildings once stood on this beautiful land. On any scene, I’m drawn to natural landmarks like rocks, waterways, and old trees. I had barely taken 15 steps with Shane when I spotted a rock.

I pointed to it, and he said, “That’s where we dug first, years ago.”

I knew then I was with the right people. Just then, Joe joined us, energetic and fired up, ready to go! He made sure the entire event was well-documented, going live on TikTok and filming each group and pairing of people. I was on and off camera at various times. As I walked, I kept a close eye on the dogs. They were all beautiful and well-trained.

Mike invited me back to his house later to see more family artifacts and historical items. As I stepped into “The Hideout,” I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of relics, artifacts, and decorations. Among the treasures were movie posters, wanted posters, family photos, a death mask, and even John Dillinger’s derringer.

Mike and his family had been overwhelmingly gracious, sharing their cherished family heirlooms and stories with me. I was honored to be part of this unique experience.

Then I saw a blown-up poster size photograph of Dillinger holding guns, car tags, newspaper clippings, wanted posters, socks, family photos and a Death Mask. There were tons of neon lit signs, tables, sofa, refrigerator, a bar, and a beautiful wheel table with Mike’s mothers China displayed.

Mike invited me to have a seat. Offered me a coke. We waited a few minutes on Travis to met us. Once Travis arrived Mike walked over to a safe, punched in a code and brought a few items over to the table I was seated at. Mike and I both have connection to Bonnie and Clyde.

Bonnie’s mother got to know Mike’s mother, Frances, Clyde’s youngest sister. I have gotten to know and become very close to Bonnie’s niece Rhea. And Clyde’s nephew Buddy.

Because of that shared connection Mike showed me some links from a watch belonging to Bonnie that her mother gave to Mike’s mother. Then he handed me a stunning post card signed by movie actress Jean Harlow to Mike’s mother. She was a Dillinger fan. 

Mike then brought a handkerchief that John Dillinger allegedly had on his person the day he was killed. Then there were coins, two silver dollars, given as a gift but he clearly stole them from somewhere. Astonishingly, next was an address book.

Mike told me that some of the places marked on the map were inside this address book. That map continues to add dots to connect. The last item I will mention that Mike shared was Dillinger’s derringer.

Mike was generous with his time but overwhelmingly gracious with his family heirlooms. These are irreplaceable and cherished by his family. Originally, I was just headed up to met Mike and Joe made a whole event out of it. Travis and Shane craved out time from there busy lives to join us and offer their own items for me to see.

The entire team from Digging Up Dillinger then included on a podcast episode. It was an honor for me to met in person and work alongside all of these kind and thoughtful men.  

Joe will receive a formal report on what the dogs found or didn’t find. The jar I believe holds information, especially the map that Former FBI Agent Stewart Filmore found on the farm. I believe the map could contain fingerprints, DNA and a code or hidden message possibly about the buried loot.

Travis Thompson told me that “It’s been long enough, it’s time to unearth the truth.” I spoke with Travis about being the black sheep of the family because he went into law enforcement. He has served for decades locally and federally.

He plays heavy on both sides of this investigation, but the family roots run deep. He is loyal to his father, Mike and his great Uncle John. But the law man in him wants the truth. Waiting for results and reports is always hard. But the truth is the goal.

In the meantime, there are things we can try and other places we can search. As I drove away from Mike Thompson’s “Dillinger Hideout” he words echoed in my head as I passed the family farm one last time: “I just hope one day soon I get to prove if it’s John or not in that grave.”