April 26, 1919

Leo Patrick McLaughlin, who served a memorable term of almost twenty years (1927 to 1947) as the mayor of Hot Springs (Garland County), was honorably discharged from the army at the rank of corporal. Underworld characters frequented Hot Springs during the McLaughlin administration. Men such as Al Capone, Charles “Lucky” Luciano, and Frank Costello visited the spa town with the understanding that they would exhibit only their best behavior. The nation’s gangsters utilized Hot Springs as a sanctuary or retreat; McLaughlin and his associates welcomed them, as long as they did not bother the locals and left their criminal activities behind.