A piece of Dixon history: Speroni murdered!

Editor’s note: Parts 1 and 2 told the remarkable story of the notorious Jack Speroni (1900-1981), the bootlegger who became a respected businessman in Sterling. This final part tells the shocking story of Jack’s big brother, Peter. Pietro (Peter) Joseph Speroni Jr. of Rock Falls was four years older than his notorious brother, Jack. Like his little brother, Peter also quit school as a freshman and was arrested for stealing in 1917.After being drafted into the Army for the Great War in 1918, Peter found a skill while in France: wrestling. Competing in Army athletic contests, he was said to be “Champion of the American Expeditionary Force” in his weight class.Professional wrestlerAfter the war, Peter reportedly became the Wisconsin state champion at 158 pounds. In 1919, competing under the name of “Young Speroni,” he wrestled at the Dixon Opera House (today’s site of The Dixon Historic Theatre) and at Sterling’s Academy of Music (today’s D E Furniture). Cheered on by local fans, his ini