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Al Capone was a renowned mobster during the 20th century, serving as a crime boss in Chicago for seven years. His actions resulted in the deaths of approximately 33 people, and he is said to have personally commanded the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Capone's upbringing shaped his future lifestyle, as he immersed himself in criminal activities and fearlessly opposed figures of power.
Alphonse Gabriel Capone, born in Brooklyn, New York on January 17, 1899, was the son of Italian immigrants from Angri, a small town near Naples. The photo captures Capone as a young child alongside his mother.
Capone, the fifth child among eight siblings, grew up during the time of Prohibition. After being expelled from school, he assisted his brother Ralph in managing his bottling enterprises (some legal and some illegal). Subsequently, he ventured into the world of small criminal gangs.
The feared Five Points Gang, composed of Italian immigrants, stationed in Lower Manhattan, stood out as one of these gangs.
Capone met Torrio when they were both members of the Five Points Gang. Torrio later played a significant role in establishing the Chicago Outfit crime syndicate during the 1920s. Capone respected Torrio and considered him a mentor.
During his time as a bouncer for Frankie Yale, a fellow member of the Five Points Gang, Capone unintentionally offended a woman while working at the nightclub. This resulted in the woman's brother slashing him three times on the left side of his face. The scars left him with the nickname "Scarface," which Capone strongly disliked. Despite his aversion, a photograph of him from the left side was taken shortly after the incident, although he rarely permitted such photos afterwards.
Capone and Mae Coughlin got married on December 30, 1918. Just three weeks prior to their wedding, Mae supposedly had a son named Albert Francis "Sonny" Capone. Despite Capone's intimidating image and his history of being involved with multiple women, Mae stayed loyal as his wife, even during his time in prison. She was deeply saddened by his death and chose to stay away from the public eye afterwards. Occasionally, however, the press would find her and try to capture photos of "Mrs. Al Capone" (pictured). Mae Capone passed away in 1986 at the age of 89.
Capone moved from New York City to Chicago in 1919 after being invited by Johnny Torrio. Capone quickly rose to power under Torrio's guidance and took control of the bootlegging empire in the city. The photo depicts Michigan Avenue in Chicago in 1925.
Capone started a new chapter in Chicago working as a bouncer in a brothel, where he unfortunately contracted syphilis. However, this was during the Prohibition era, and soon he became associated with bootleggers in Canada. They aided him in smuggling alcohol into the United States.
After surviving a shooting that left him injured, Johnny Torrio passed on leadership of the Chicago Outfit to Capone. Capone then used increased brutality to boost profits from bootlegging. With his newfound wealth, the gangster enjoyed luxurious items such as tailored suits, cigars, fine dining, and female companions. At the same time, the United States was struggling immensely due to the overwhelming impact of the Great Depression.
Capone sought to improve his reputation by appealing to public opinion. He accomplished this by giving to charitable organizations and backing a soup kitchen (illustrated) that served unemployed men every day. These individuals patiently waited for hours to receive coffee and doughnuts.
However, it was merely a deception. Capone utilized bribes and extensive intimidation tactics to solidify his control over Chicago. He acquired a residence located at 7244 Prairie Avenue (depicted in the image) within the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood of Chicago, where he resided alongside his wife Mae and their son.
Capone managed his operations in Chicago from various hotels, notably the Lexington Hotel situated at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and 22nd Street. The hotel ceased operations in 1980 and was later demolished in 1995.
Frank Nitti, one of Al Capone's key associates, oversaw all financial matters in the criminal enterprise. Similar to his boss, Nitti was ultimately found guilty of tax evasion but received a comparatively shorter punishment. Following his release, Nitti assumed full control of the Chicago Outfit. On March 19, 1943, he tragically ended his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In addition to Capone's gang, Chicago had another organized crime group operating in the city. Bugs Moran and H. Weiss were the leading figures of the North Side Gang, known for their brutal tactics. However, when Weiss was killed in 1926, Moran found himself in competition with Capone to dominate the profitable bootlegging trade. This resulted in a violent turf war that eventually led to one of the most infamous mob killings in gangland history.
Seven members and associates of Moran's North Side Gang were fatally shot by four unidentified attackers disguised as police officers on February 14, 1929. The grim incident occurred within a garage situated in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Al Capone was largely believed to be responsible for these executions. Captured in the image is a group of spectators congregated outside the location, witnessing the distressing scene as one of the victims is transferred to an ambulance.
Prohibition agent Eliot Ness gained national recognition for his work in dismantling Al Capone and the Chicago Outfit. Capone consistently denied involvement in the murder of rival gang members and always appeared to be elsewhere during such incidents. This led to a joint effort by various agencies to target Capone, with the Treasury and Justice Departments devising strategies to prosecute him for income tax evasion. Ness and his team of Untouchables coordinated operations in this endeavor.
In 1928, Capone, who valued security and wanted to leave Chicago, bought an impressive mansion in Miami for the purpose of a winter getaway. Interestingly, he would often be in Florida right before a series of killings occurred in Chicago. This strategic move allowed him to distance himself from any unlawful activities and escape potential arrest.
Capone is shown wearing a bathing suit during one of his numerous visits to Florida.
Al Capone in a serene moment captured on his yacht. He can be seen leisurely fishing in Biscayne Bay, seemingly without any worries. While in Florida, he resided in a 14-room getaway at 93 Palm Avenue on Palm Island. This abode, which remains intact to this day, was never officially registered in his name. Furthermore, he refrained from ever opening a bank account.
However, Capone had drawn the FBI's notice. On March 27, 1929, he was apprehended after leaving a Chicago courtroom (shown in the picture) following his grand jury testimony regarding federal Prohibition law infringements. Although he was subsequently freed, in May of the same year, he was once again arrested—this time for possession of a hidden firearm.
Capone served a one-year prison sentence at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. In March 1930, upon his release, he was titled "Public Enemy No. 1" by authorities.
Capone was apprehended for vagrancy in April 1930 during his visit to Miami Beach. The governor mandated sheriffs to expel him from the state. Although accused, he was ultimately acquitted.
Capone had a talent for eluding justice, as evidenced by his 1932 FBI criminal record. Many of the charges against him were dropped or dismissed due to insufficient evidence or through bribes to corrupt officials.
Capone's streak of good fortune, however, was starting to wane. Despite his flamboyant lifestyle, the crime boss had neglected to file his tax returns. Ness and his team realized that the most effective way to bring Capone to justice was to charge him with tax evasion. Throughout 1931, Capone faced multiple trials on this charge. Finally, on October 17, 1931, he was found guilty of five counts of income tax evasion and received an 11-year sentence in federal prison. Initially, Capone was sent to Atlanta US Penitentiary, but he was later transferred to the newly opened Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary off the coast of San Francisco (pictured) in August 1934.
Capone's health rapidly declined during his time at Alcatraz, as he was officially diagnosed with syphilis and gonorrhea and experienced withdrawal from cocaine addiction.
Al Capone concluded his time in Alcatraz on January 6, 1939. He spent his final year confined in the hospital area, feeling bewildered and disoriented. Only his mother, brother (both depicted), and wife Mae visited him while he was in prison.
Al Capone, who was seriously ill, resided in his Florida mansion during his last years. He was attended by his devoted wife and enjoyed the company of his grandchildren. On January 21, 1947, Capone experienced a stroke followed by a heart attack a few days later. Finally, on January 25, he passed away with his family by his side. The cause of death, as stated on the death certificate, was bronchopneumonia and apoplexy.
After Al Capone died, his body was transported to Chicago where he was initially laid to rest at Mount Olive Cemetery. However, in 1950, Capone's remains, along with those of his father Gabriele and brother Salvatore, were relocated to Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. Even today, visitors can still observe Capone's grave marker at the cemetery. It is worth noting that the burial ground also holds the final resting place of Frank Nitti, Capone's devoted henchman.
Sources: (FBI) (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) (Britannica)
<p>Capone, a charismatic and ambitious individual, possessed a ruthless nature and an insatiable desire for power and wealth. He was born more than a century ago, but his name continues to be associated with the gangster culture of the 1920s and '30s. Explore this gallery to learn more about the infamous life and eventual death of Al Capone. </p>
Following the tragic event, President Herbert Hoover was requested to step in and address the rising lawlessness in Chicago. To tackle this issue, a dedicated crime committee was established, with its members taking an oath amidst the presence of the deceased victims (as shown in the picture). This influential action subsequently led to the formation of Eliot Ness' renowned 'Untouchables' unit and marked the start of Al Capone's downfall.
The criminal life of the infamous Al Capone
The notorious mobster was known as "Public Enemy No. 1"
LIFESTYLE Gangster
Al Capone gained notoriety in the United States during the Prohibition era as the leader of the feared Chicago Outfit, an organized crime group involved in bootlegging, brothels, and murder.
Capone, a charismatic and ambitious individual, possessed a ruthless nature and an insatiable desire for power and wealth. He was born more than a century ago, but his name continues to be associated with the gangster culture of the 1920s and '30s. Explore this gallery to learn more about the infamous life and eventual death of Al Capone.