Walter Costello

Who was Walter Costello?

Walter Costello was a St. Louis gangster and member of the Egan's Rats.

Born and raised in North St. Louis to Irish-American parents, Costello joined Egan's Rats while in his late teens. He became known as a crack shot with a pistol. At the age of 19 in the summer of 1908, Costello was stabbed and nearly killed in a tavern brawl. Mere months later, Walter was shot and severely wounded during a fight in the rear of the Jolly Five Club at 1511 Morgan Street. During the melee, Costello had also shot Frederick Greenfield.

Walter's temper nearly got him killed once again two years later. On December 20, 1910, he was shot near the heart while trespassing in a rooming house at 1831 Franklin Avenue. His assailant was the building's housekeeper, Mrs. Kate Klutz. Despite the near fatal bullet wound, Costello still managed to stagger three blocks to the east to Willie Egan's saloon and call for a taxicab to take him to the hospital. Mrs. Klutz fled St. Louis in fear of the gangsters, and Costello recovered fully from his wounds.

After his three brushes with death, Walter Costello was known in gangland circles to lead a "charmed life." He grew to be Willie Egan's bodyguard and was never without two pistols on his person at all times. Walter also served as a St. Louis City Deputy Constable to Judge Andrew Gazzolo, thereby giving him permission to carry his pistols and even make arrests if he so desired. Costello was one of two men who shot and killed dangerous former Egan hoodlum Harry "Cherries" Dunn at the Typo Press Club at 712 Pine Street on September 19, 1916. Dunn had been murdered in retaliation for the killings of Egan gangsters William "Skippy" Rohan and Harry Romani.