S13 E4 - Murder, Dynamite, and the Fruit Stand - REO Town's Bloody Fruit War

In this episode of Malice in the Mitten, Tracy and Christine return to 1920s Lansing to investigate the violence hidden behind an ordinary fruit stand, carefully separating verified court history from the mythology surrounding La Cosa Nostra and Michigan’s produce trade.

Most importantly, they remember the people nearly erased beneath the legend: John Ciardullo, who lost his life, and the unnamed Mrs. Rosse, who survived a bullet wound while attempting to reclaim control of her future.

Because before Lansing’s Fruit War became local folklore—it was someone’s life.

#MaliceInTheMitten #REOTown #LansingHistory #MichiganTrueCrime #ForgottenMichigan

Hosted and produced by Tracy Preston, featuring Christine Mulligan

Story researched and written by Tracy Preston

Original music created exclusively for Malice in the Mitten by Tracy Preston

Original artwork created by Todd Preston

Sources:

“Four Held for Bombing Michigan Fruit Company.” The Ingham County News, 23 Feb. 1928. Capital Area District Libraries Local History Online, www.cadl.org/lhonline/ICN1928-02-23.pdf. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

This contemporary report identifies J. Frank Rosse and the three Jackson defendants, describes the prosecution following the Michigan Fruit Company bombing, and references Rosse’s earlier trial for killing John Ciardullo.

“Rosse Family Again Resorts to Violence.” The Ingham County News, 22 Aug. 1929. Capital Area District Libraries Local History Online, www.cadl.org/lhonline/ICN1929-08-22.pdf. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

This report documents Frank Rosse’s bombing conviction and 10-to-25-year sentence, Mrs. Rosse’s pending divorce, Harry Rosse’s alleged shooting of her, her neck wound, Harry’s flight, and the discovery of his automobile.

REO Town. “Wayback Wednesday: For Over a Decade Now, 1147 S. Washington Avenue in REO Town Has Been Home to Saddleback BBQ.” Facebook, REO Town Commercial Association, www.facebook.com/reotown/posts/1342617594716966. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

This modern local-history account identifies 1147 South Washington Avenue as the location of Frank Rosse’s fruit stand and presents the broader “Fruit War” interpretation, including the alleged roles of the fruit companies and organized-crime associates. Those portions should remain attributed as later historical claims rather than established court findings.

REO Town. “Wayback Wednesday: 1147 S. Washington Avenue.” Instagram, REO Town Commercial Association, www.instagram.com/p/DbYU42nxYVK/. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.