Rattibha

Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, & Margaret Johnson. Harlem, 1963.
Quick facts about Bumpy in the following tweets.

Bumpy worked as a bodyguard for Stephanie St. Clair. She taught him the numbers game.

Bumpy grew up in South Carolina, and a deformation in his head is why he was called Bumpy. His brother was accusing of m*rdering a white man so his family moved to Harlem when he was 10.

William “Bub” Hewlett was a known and feared gangster in Harlem, providing muscle for Dutch Schultz. Bub took a liking to Bumpy and gave him a job as a bodyguard after Bumpy stepped to him and refused to leave his storefront.
Bub and Dutch pictured below.

Bub and Stephanie mentored Bumpy, and when Dutch became top dog running the numbers, she didn’t like it. Her decision to correct that was to go to war with the Italians and Dutch.
Dutch pictured below.

Around his time coming up in Harlem he became good friends with a man named Detroit Red, who would later become Malcolm X.

Bumpy decided to take initiative and further involve himself in the war against Dutch and the Italians. He made his name quickly, 40 people were either k*lled or kidnapped.
Bumpy pictured to the left.

One of Bumpy’s enemies at the time as was “Red” Dillard Morrison. Red’s likeness was portrayed as Big Red Davis in the 1991 film, The Five Heartbeats.
Red Morrison to the left, & Big Red Davis from the film.

There was a discussion between Lucky Luciano and Dutch, which led to Dutch disrespecting Lucky out of frustration.
Bumpy caused so much confusion, Lucky Luciano called a hit on Dutch Schultz, ending Stephanie’s issues. The hit was carried out primarily because Dutch became a liability to the Italians. Bumpy stayed one step ahead.
Lucky Luciano pictured below.

After Schultz’ death, Bumpy and Luciano decided to make a deal with each other. Bumpy could continue running numbers independently but just had to give a piece of what they made to the mob. They became friends and would play chess together at the YMCA on 135th st.

Stephanie ended up leaving the game and gave the business to Bumpy. Any time the Italians had an issue in Harlem they had to report to Bumpy.

Another picture of Stephanie St. Clair.

When Bumpy gained control of Harlem, that’s when he married Mayme in 1948.

Not too long after they got married Bumpy got shot, he was with Frank Lucas who also got shot as well. Bumpy ended up in the hospital and Frank got away.
Frank Lucas pictured with the infamous coat that excited the feds and ultimately brought him down. After taking this picture Frank knew it was over then burned the coat.

Bumpy’s popularity was growing, and his activities in Harlem were documented in Jet magazine. This brought an investigation and he went to prison in 1952, for 15 years in Alcatraz.

When Bumpy gets out, Harlem had changed; and he began to feud with Vincent “The Chin” Gigante.

As he’s feuding with Chin, his old friend Detroit Red is now a prominent minister in Harlem. As Malcolm’s popularity grew, he needed protection. Bumpy offered the protection, until Malcolm refused after awhile; leading to his untimely death.

A few years after Malcolm’s death, Bumpy passed away at his favorite restaurant surrounded by his childhood friends in 1968. The community was shocked he died a peaceful death. Frank Lucas wasn’t allowed to be at his funeral or wake.
There’s no reason known to us as to why Frank wasn’t there, but Mayme said in her book those were the circumstances.