- In a gunfight with FBI agents, he shot agent Sam Cowley. Mortally wounded, Cowley fired back and hit Nelson, then died a few moments later. Nelson, dying from Cowley's bullets, escaped in a car with his wife driven by an accomplice, Paul Chase. When they saw a roadblock up ahead, they dumped Nelson by the side of the road and left him to die, not wanting to get caught with him in the car. Nelson died shortly afterward. Chase and Nelson's wife were arrested and tried for robbery and murder. Chase got life in prison with no parole, and Nelson's wife got 25 years.
- Had the dubious reputation of being the only 1920s gangster to kill three FBI agents.
- When the FBI raided the John Dillinger gang's hideout in northern Wisconsin, Nelson was one of the few who escaped. Knowing that the FBI would stake out every road, he crept through the woods and underbrush for several miles.
- While he was escaping from a holdup a policeman stood in front of his car. Nelson ran him down and killed him.
- While on the lam he spotted an unattended car with its motor running, and jumped into it. The car actually belonged to two FBI agents, W. Carter Baum and J.C. Newman. Nelson shot them both as he stole the car. Baum died, but Newman survived.
- Had a reputation as a fearless triggerman and cold-hearted killer. It was this reputation that made John Dillinger choose him for his gang.
- He was inducted into the criminal world by an old friend named Mike Rocanatto, a professional holdup man, who taught Nelson everything he knew. When Nelson felt he'd learned enough, he double-crossed Rocanatto and walked away with $100,000, leaving Rocanatto for the police.
- Hated his nickname, and tried to get other gangsters to call him "Big George" instead. This was ridiculous, of course, because he was only 5'2".
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