1910s in organized crime

none December 2023 1910 organized crime This is a list of organized crime in the 1910s, arranged chronologically. 1910 Events Rival newspapers William Randolph Hearst's Chicago American and the Chicago Tribune extend contracts through Moses Annenberg to street gangs such as Ragen's Colts, under the guise of "athletic clubs", in which newsdealers and vendors are intimidated into selling a specific newspaper. During the three-year period known as the "Circulation Wars", 27 street vendors are stabbed, beaten or shot as many of the future Prohibition gangsters and other criminals of Chicago's underworld become involved, including Dean O'Banion. New York police arrest over 200 known Italian gangsters and known Black Hand members in a raid in Little Italy, including Morello crime family leader Lupo the Wolf. However, none are convicted as many of the notes of extortion threats cannot be traced to them."Counterfeiter Gang Finally Is Run Down". Washington Times. 02 December 1910 Chicago racketeer James "Big Jim" Colosimo brings his nephew Johnny Torrio, then with New York City's Five Points Gang, to eliminate the Black Hand from the city in response to their extortion demands. Within a month, ten Black Hand extortionists had been killed. Jim Cosmano, a major Chicago Black Hand leader, is severely wounded in an ambush by Johnny Torrio on a South Side bridge. Cosmano had previously demanded $10,000 threatening to destroy Colosimo's café. Gas House Gang member William Jones is imprisoned. Eastman Gang leader Chick Tricker's Park Row dive bar is closed by the New York City Committee of Fourteen. However he moves his operations, purchasing Dan the Dude's Stag Cafe on West 28th Street, later renaming it the Cafe Maryland. January 1 – March 26, 1911 – Thirty-eight Black Hand victims are killed by Black Hand assassins, many by the unidentified assassin known only as Shotgun Man, between Oak Street and Milton Street in Chicago's Little Italy. April 1 – Spanish Louie, a lieutenant of Humpty Jackson, is killed while walking on East 11th Street by an unknown gunman (although other sources have incorrectly claimed 1900 and 1911)."Spanish Louie Shot Dead – Too Bad Even For The Other Crooks". New York Sun. 01 April 1910 Births Frank Abbandando "The Dasher", Murder, Inc. "hitman" Albert Facchiano, "Chinky" Genovese crime family member February 6 – Carlos Marcello [Calagero Menacore], New Orleans Mafia Don February 21 – Carmine Galante "Lilo"/"The Cigar", Bonanno crime family Don May 11 – Angelo Bruno "The Gentle Don"/"The Docile Don", Philadelphia Mafia leader October 1 – Bonnie Parker, sidekick and lover of Clyde Barrow Deaths April 1 – John "Spanish Louie" Lewis, New York gangster and member of the Humpty Jackson Gang. 1911 Events Five Points Gang member James T. "Biff" Ellison is sentenced to Sing Sing Prison for the attempted murder of gang leader Paul Kelly. He dies several years later in an insane asylum. Jack Zelig is arrested for robbing a bordello. The charges are later dropped. However, in an attempt to gain leadership of the Eastman Gang, lieutenants Jack Sirocco and Chick Tricker refuse to post bail, beginning a gang war between the two factions. Nathan Kaplan severely injures Johnny Spanish in a knife fight before police arrive to break up the fight. Kaplan also fights Jacob Orgen later that year giving a scar across Orgen's face before the fight is stopped. Filippo "John 'Handsome Johnny' Roselli" Sacco arrives with his family in the United States, from Sicily. Frank Tieri emigrates to the United States from Castel Gandolfo, Italy. Salvatore Sabella lands in the US and soon takes control of the Philadelphia Mafia. December 1 – "Big" Jim O'Leary sells off his gambling operations and other business interests and goes into retirement. December 2 – Julie Morrell, an assassin hired by Sirocco and Tricker to murder Zelig, is lured to a Second Avenue nightclub and killed. Births Philip Lombardo, (Miami) Genovese crime family leader May 1 – Anthony Salerno "Fat Tony", Genovese crime family Don November 4 – James Napoli "Jimmy Nap", Genovese crime family member involved in illegal gambling and loansharking Deaths December 2 – Julie Morrell, Eastman Gang member 1912 Events Timothy "Big Tim" Sullivan, longtime political boss of Tammany Hall, is committed to a sanitarium. June 7 - Mock Duck is convicted of running a policy game and sentenced to imprisonment at Sing Sing Prison."Mock Duck Gets the Limit," New-York Tribune, June 8, 1912. July 15 – Members of the Lenox Avenue Gang including leader Harry Horowitz, known as "Gyp the Blood", and top lieutenants Jacob Seidenschner, Louis Rosenberg, and Francesco Cirofici, kill prominent New York gambler and police informant Herman "Beansie" Rosenthal."Gambler Who Defied Police Is Shot Dead," The New York Times, July 16, 1912. They are convicted of Rosenthal's murder later the same year,"Gunmen Guilty in First Degree," The New York Times, November 20, 1912. and executed in April 1914. September – Republican State's Attorney John E.W. Wayman, shortly before his term of office is to expire, officially closes down Chicago's South Side "Levee District". The long-time vice district had been a hotbed of criminal activity for Chicago's underworld, as well as a major source of political power for Chicago's First Ward aldermen, such as Michael "Hinky Dink" Kenna and "Bathhouse" John Coughlin, since the 1890s. October 5 – Eastman Gang leader Jack Zelig is killed by "Red" Phil Davidson on a Second Avenue street car trolley."Big Jack Zelig Shot and Killed in Crowded Car on Eve of Becker's Trial for Murder of Rosenthal," The Sun, October 6, 1912. October 19 – Frank Costello is again arrested for assault and robbery and is later released."Robbers Get $1,800 Bank Roll," The Sun, October 20, 1912. October 24 - New York Police Lt. Charles Becker is found guilty of first degree murder in the Rosenthal case."Becker Defiant, Fights for Life; Verdict Terrifies the Gunmen," The Evening World, October 25, 1912. He is sentenced to death, going to New York's electric chair in July 1915. November 6 – Owney Madden is shot by several thugs while at a 52nd Street dance in New York City."Gopher Gangster, Facing Enemies, Shot for Taunts," The Evening World, November 6, 1912. Arts and literature D.W. Griffith's The Musketeers of Pig Alley is released starring Elmer Booth, Lillian Gish, Clara T. Bracy and Walter Miller. Births January 8 – Joseph N. Gallo, alleged consigliere of Gambino crime family bosses Carlo Gambino, Paul Castellano and John Gotti March 19 – Nicholas Civella, Kansas City crime family boss April 12 – Jack "Spot" Comer, Jewish-English gangster September 18 – John T. Scalish, Cleveland crime family boss and National Crime Syndicate labor racketeer December 28 – William Daddano Sr., Chicago Outfit enforcer Deaths July 15 – Herman "Beansie" Rosenthal, New York gambler and police informant October 5 – Jack Zelig, Eastman Gang leader 1913 Events The White Hand Society disbands after police inaction and vigilantism in other Italian neighborhoods ends public support for the organization.Sifakis Carl https://books.google.com/books?id=jgCpxTpPCPcC The Mafia Encyclopedia 2006 Infobase Publishing 978-0-8160-6989-7 enMarch 2023 Timothy Sullivan escapes from the sanitarium and is later found dead near a Westchester County freight yard."'Big Tim' Dead; 13 Days in Morgue," The New York Times, September 14, 1913. George Washington "Chuck" Connors, one of the last of the Tammany Hall associates, dies of heart failure in New York City's Hudson Street Hospital at the age of 61."'Chuck' Connors Dies of Heart Failure," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 10, 1913. Within several months, Frank "Mike the Dago" Salvatore succeeds Connors as the political boss of Chinatown. Cleveland gangster Thomas Joseph McGinty (aka T.J. McGinty) organizes a gang of labor sluggers competing against rival Cleveland News sluggers Arthur McBride's Mayfield Road Mob during Cleveland's "Circulation Wars". May 28 – A peace agreement is signed, with the exception of the Four Brothers, ending the tong war between the On Leong, Hip Sing, and the Kim Lan Wui Saw tongs."Chinatown Signs Treaty of Peace Among All Tongs," The Evening World, May 28, 1913. November 28 – Preparing to assault workers who had refused to strike, rival labor sluggers led by "Dopey" Benny Fein are met by a combined number of smaller gangs as street fighting breaks out in front of a Greenwich Street hat shop."Three Shot in War of Gangs at Strike," The New York Times, November 29, 1913. This is the first of many skirmishes which will eventually lead up to the First Labor Slugger War. Arts and literature The Gangster (1913) starring Lionel Adams, Ferdinand Tidmarsh and Edna Luby is released. Births February 8 – Carmine Lombardozzi "The Doctor", New York labor racketeer, illegal gambling and drug trafficker as a Capodecina of the Gambino crime family and former associate of Meyer Lansky February 12 – Anthony Corallo "Tony Ducks", Lucchese crime family Don and Mafia Commission member March 26 – Victor Riesel, New York organized crime journalist April 30 – Sam DeCavalcante "The Plumber", New Jersey mobster October 6 – Leonard Patrick, Chicago Outfit member and informant Deaths Timothy Sullivan, New York City gambling syndicate leader, Tammany Hall politician and associate of the Whyos and Monk Eastman street gangs. 1914 Events During his first year in office, NYPD Police Commissioner Arthur Woods arrests more than 200 gangsters. Gas House Gang leader Thomas Lynch is killed during a gunfight with members of the Jimmy Curley Gang led by "Gold Mine" Jimmy Cariggio. The Gas House Gang breaks up soon after Lynch's death. Within two years of the closing of Chicago's infamous vice district The Levee, long-time vice lord Saffo the Greek is forced to flee the area. It is during this time that Chicago police captain Michael Ryan, district commander of The Levee, is dismissed from the force for corruption. Frank Costello, with his brother Edward, join Owney Madden's Gopher Gang. January 9 - A gunfight breaks out between members of Jack Sirocco's and Benjamin "Dopey Benny" Fein's gangs outside of a dance in St. Mark's Place in Manhattan. An elderly court clerk named Frederick Strauss is killed in the crossfire."Gangs in Battle Kill Court Clerk," The New York Times, January 10, 1914. (Two members of Fein's gang - Irving "Waxey Gordon" Wexler and Isidore "Jew Murphy" Cohen - are eventually charged for the murder and tried in 1916, but are acquitted for lack of evidence.)https://archive.today/20070816094148/http://members.tripod.com/Fighting9th/History8.htm March 3 - New York gang leader James "Gold Mine Jimmy" Cariggio is shot dead by unknown gunmen near a bookstore on East 13th Street."East Side Gang Leader Shot Dead," New York Tribune, March 4, 1914. March 13 - Former New York gang leader Thomas "Humpty" Jackson is arrested for selling opium near his home on Third Avenue."'Humpty' Jackson Caught," New York Tribune, March 14, 1914. On March 27, Jackson is convicted "He Didn't Stay 'Reformed,'" The Sun, March 28, 1914. and is later sentenced to six months in prison."'Humpty' Gets Six Months," The Evening World, April 3, 1914. April 13 - The four convicted gunmen in the 1912 murder of gambler Herman Rosenthal - Harry "Gyp the Blood" Horowitz, Francesco "Dago Frank" Cirofici, Louis "Lefty Louie" Rosenberg, and Jacob "Whitey Lewis" Seidenshner - are executed in the electric chair at Sing Sing prison. About two hours prior to the execution, Cirofici makes a statement to the warden suggesting that NYPD Lt. Charles Becker was not involved in the murder plot, and that Cirofici himself was not present at the slaying, though he admitted knowing about it. (Despite Cirofici's efforts to clear Becker, the policeman would be executed the following year.)"'Dago Frank,' Confessing, Says Vallon, 'Gyp' and 'Louie' Murdered Rosenthal; Didn't Hear of Becker; Four Gunmen Die," The New York Times, April 14, 1914. April 17 – Five New York City gangsters are killed in a gunfight between Joe Morello and Joe Baker on 113th Street and Third Avenue. May – Following his arrest for assault earlier that year, New York labor racketeer "Dopey" Benny Fein agrees to testify against several gangsters and union leaders. In exchange for a reduced sentence, Fein reveals details of labor slugging operations from over five-year period resulting in the indictment of eleven gangsters and twenty two union officials. May 11 - Philip "Pinchy" Paul, a New York City labor racketeer, and rival to established labor gangsters such as Benjamin "Dopey Benny" Fein and Joseph "Joe the Greaser" Rosenzweig is shot and killed on Norfolk Street in Manhattan. Rosenzweig gunman Benjamin Snyder eventually confesses and informs against his boss, who is indicted for the murder in December."Gunman Tells Gain in Trade of Murderer," The Sun, December 20, 1914. May 23 - Future Los Angeles crime family boss Joseph "Iron Man" Ardizzone is arrested for allegedly assaulting his future wife, the 15-year-old Elsa Marie Ellenberger, and as a suspect in the 1906 murder of mobster George Maisano."Arrest Clears Old Mystery," The Los Angeles Times, May 24, 1914. July – Shortly after being brought to Chicago by his cousin John Torrio, New York gunman Rocco "Roxie" Vanilli is arrested for the murder of a Chicago police officer in Chicago's infamous vice district, The Levee, on July 16."Rival Vice Police Duel; One Dead; Four Hurt," Chicago Tribune, July 17, 1914."Man in Gray Hoyne Captive?" Chicago Tribune, July 20, 1914. November – Patsy Doyle is killed by Owney Madden after Doyle attempts to take leadership of the Gopher Gang. November 11 - Lorito Monastero, the brother of future Pittsburgh crime family boss Stefano Monastero, is indicted for the murder of Stefano's estranged mother-in-law in August."Love Revives; Victim Faces Murder Trial," The Pittsburgh Post, November 12, 1914. November 24 - Hired by members of the West Washington Market poultry trust, two Italian gunmen shoot New York City poultry dealer Barnet Baff dead on Thirteenth Avenue in Manhattan, and flee in a waiting auto."Murder Merchant and Escape in Auto," The New York Times, November 25, 1914. Births Dominic Brooklier, Los Angeles crime family don March 15 – Aniello Dellacroce "Mr O'Neil"/"Polack", Gambino crime family underboss April 29 – Johnny Dio, Lucchese crime family capo and Murder, Inc. member June 2 – Anthony Giordano, St. Louis crime syndicate leader and New Orleans crime family associate July 29 – Mickey Cohen, Los Angeles mobster and New York representative November 14 – Jimmy Fratianno, Los Angeles Mafia member November 20 – Jackie Cerone "The Lackey", Chicago Outfit leader December 14 – Joe Colombo, Colombo crime family don and Italian-American Civil Rights League founder. December 15 – Samuel Carlisi "Wings", Chicago Outfit boss December 18 – Joseph Dippolito, underboss of the Los Angeles crime family Deaths March 3 - James "Gold Mine Jimmy" Cariggio, New York City gang leader April 13 - Harry "Gyp the Blood" Horowitz, leader of the Lenox Avenue Gang April 13 - Francesco "Dago Frank" Cirofici, member of the Lenox Avenue Gang April 13 - Louis "Lefty Louie" Rosenberg, member of the Lenox Avenue Gang April 13 - Jacob "Whitey Lewis" Seidenshner, member of the Lenox Avenue Gang May 11 - Philip "Pinchy" Paul, New York City labor racketeer 1915 Events United States A Black Hand gang in Chicago led by Sam Cardinelli begins years of setting off over eight hundred bombs, killing over twenty people and wounding hundreds more until 1920, when they are convicted of murder, and hanged the following year. Benjamin Snyder, an associate of New York labor racketeer Joseph "Joe the Greaser" Rosenzweig, is convicted of murder and sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment Peter H. Matthews is arrested,"Twelve Are Arrested in Policy Game Roundup," The Sun, May 28, 1915. tried,"Policy Gang Heads Guilty; Backers Are Being Sought," The Evening World, December 1, 1915. and jailed"Policy Sharks Hit Hard by Judge in Giving Sentence," The Evening World, December 13, 1915. for operating policy games throughout New York City. Steve Wallace, with his brothers Frank and Jimmy Wallace of the Gustin Gang, begin hijacking and looting trucks in Southie often stripping cargo from the rear of the truck while stopped at intersections. The brothers are soon known by the press as the "Tailboard Thieves". Al Capone joins the James Street Gang under Johnny Torrio, a satellite of the Five Points Gang. March 12 – Frank Costello is arrested for carrying a concealed weapons after detectives receive information from an informant. Costello is sentenced to one year in Welfare Island prison by Judge Edward Swann and is released after ten months. May 17 – Giosue Gallucci, also known as the undisputed King of Little Italy, who controlled the policy game in Italian Harlem (New York City) is shot together with his son."Two Shot Down in Harlem Feud," New York Tribune, May 18, 1915. He died four days later."Wounds Kill Gallucci," New York Tribune, May 22, 1915. July 30 – Former New York Police Lt. Charles Becker, twice convicted of murder in planning the killing of gambler and police informant Herman "Beansie" Rosenthal by members of the Lenox Avenue Gang in 1912, is executed in the electric chair at Sing Sing prison."Becker Unnerved Goes to Chair; His Bonds Slip," The New York Times, July 31, 1915. November 19 - Vincenzo "Vinent" Moreci, a "leading" member of the Italian community in New Orleans, as well as an apparent member of the city's Mafia family, is shot and killed near his home, reportedly in retaliation for having colluded with the Italian Vigilance Committee against the Black Hand kidnappers and murderers of eight-year-old Walter Lamana in 1907, but more likely as part of an internal Mafia feud."Mafia Murder," Alexandria Daily Town Talk, November 20, 1915. Japan The Yamaguchi-gumi organization begins operating in Japan. Arts and literature Sidney M. Goldin's The Last of the Mafia is released starring Jack J. Clark, William Conrad and Katherine Lee. Births Salvatore Santoro "Tom Mix", Lucchese crime family mobster March 15 – Mario Anthony DeStefano, Chicago Outfit member June 20 – Paul Castellano "Big Paul", Gambino crime family Don November 15 – Santo Trafficante Jr., Tampa Mafia Don Deaths May 21 - Giosue Gallucci, Camorra boss of Italian Harlem in New York City July 30 - Charles Becker, corrupt New York Police Lt. who planned the 1912 murder of gambler Herman Rosenthal November 19 - Vincenzo "Vincent" Moreci, Underboss of the New Orleans crime family 1916 Events January 15 - William "Brother Mac" McNamara, a member of the Hudson Dusters gang, and an accomplice viciously assault an Italian gardener named Gregorio George near Dobbs Ferry, New York, leaving him for dead. George, whose wife hired the gangsters to kill her husband, dies of his injuries the following morning."Killed the Wrong Man," The New York Times, January 17, 1916. Arrested in Hoboken on January 26,"Jail Six for Murder Paid for by Wife," The Yonkers Herald, January 27, 1916. McNamara confesses to the crime"Says Gangster Admits He Was Hired to Kill," The Evening World, January 27, 1916. and goes on trial in White Plains in June."Youth on Trial as Gunman," The New York Times, June 6, 1916. Quickly convicted"George's Murderer Guilty," The New York Times, June 8, 1916. and sentenced to death,"Murderer to Die; Wife of Victim Confesses," New York Tribune, June 10, 1916. McNamara has his sentence commuted to life imprisonment the following year."Life Sentences Instead of Death," The Buffalo Commercial, June 28, 1917. March 26 - Three labor racketeers shoot film operator Hugh Coogan dead in Justine Street in Chicago."Shot Dead in Street; Labor Trouble Suspected," Chicago Tribune, March 27, 1916. Irish-American gangster and corrupt union representative Edward "Spike" O'Donnell, leader of the Southside O'Donnell gang, is soon charged with the crime,"Accused of Coogan Slaying," Chicago Tribune, March 30, 1916. but is acquitted by late spring."Freed of Coogan Murder," Chicago Tribune, May 12, 1916. April 18 - Future Kansas City Mob boss John Lazia, who is currently a member of a robbery gang headed by John J. "Black Mike" McGovern, is arrested for attempting to rob the safe of a produce dealer on the Kansas side of the city."Accused by Finger Print," The Kansas City Star, April 19, 1916. Summer – New York Police break up the last of the Manhattan street gangs, including the Hudson Dusters, from The Battery to Spuyten Duyvil. Many of these former gang members would become employed as labor sluggers. Street gangs would become non-existent in New York until the release of "Kid Dropper" Nathan Kaplan and Johnny Spanish the following year. July 20 - Aspiring Camorra boss Joseph Di Marco is found shot to death along with his bodyguard, Charles "Nine Fingered Charley" Lombardi, in a vacant flat on James Street in Manhattan."Mysterious 10 Kill De Marco and His Friend," New York Tribune, July 21, 1916. The Mafia-Camorra War begins in New York City between the Manhattan Sicilian and Neapolitan Brooklyn Mafia. September 7 – Nicholas Morello, leader of the Morello crime family, is killed with bodyguard Charles Ubriaco outside a Navy Street restaurant while arriving at peace negotiations with rival Pellegrino Morano. November 7 - Future Detroit Purple Gang boss Abe Bernstein is arrested in a police gambling raid on a poolroom and charged with running an illegal crap game."Police Seize $238 in Poolroom Raid," The Detroit Free Press, November 8, 1916. Arts and literature Poor Little Peppina (film) Births April 1 – Gus Alex, Chicago Outfit member June 10 – Peter Joseph LoCascio "Mr. Bread", New York City (Lower East Side) syndicate mobster involved in narcotics Deaths July 20 - Joseph Di Marco, member of the Camorra in New York City July 20 - Charles "Nine Fingered Charley" Lombardi, member of the Camorra in New York City September 7 – Nicholas Morello, Morello crime family leader September 7 – Charles Ubriaco, Morello crime family member 1917 Events Former Five Points Gang members Nathan Kaplan and Johnny Spanish, are released from prison. They form a criminal gang together, made up mostly of ex-Five Pointers, to take the place of now imprisoned labor racketeers Benjamin "Dopey Benny" Fein and Joseph "Joe the Greaser" Rosenzweig. February 14 - After saloonkeeper Vincent Butera is found murdered in his bar, police question Dominick Giambrone, boss of the St. Louis crime family, about the murder."Business Rival of Slain Saloonman and Helper Held," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, February 15, 1917. June 7 - Fueled by the ongoing race riots in East St. Louis, a riot breaks out in the quarry of a prison workhouse between the white and black inmates. The violence escalates when Henry Griesser, a member of Egan's Rats, steals a gun from one of the guards, and begins firing at the black prisoners. The riot is finally quelled when local firemen train their firehose on the rioters. Ten black prisoners and two white prisoners are hospitalized as a result of the riot."Workhouse Race Riot Is Quelled with Fire Hose," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 8, 1917. September 21 - Giovanni "Johnny Spanish" Mistretta and one of his men are convicted in federal court of attempting to sell heroin to a soldier, and are sentenced to fifteen months in prison. (In the New York City papers of the time, Johnny Spanish is reported as having a real name of "Harry Weinberg," a possible alias.)"Sold Drug to Soldier - Jail," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, September 22, 1917. November 5 - Rosario "Sam" Matranga, boss of the Matranga Mafia faction in Los Angeles, is shot at close range with a shotgun while sitting in his parked car in front of his home."Police Seeking Mafia as Alleged Slayers," Evening Express, November 5, 1917. November 30 - Based on the testimony of informant Ralph "the Barber" Daniello, the New York County grand jury issues seventeen indictments for murder against members of the local Camorra."17 Indicted After Confessions of 'Ralph the Barber'," New York Tribune, December 1, 1917. December 18 - A little over a month after the murder of Los Angeles Mafioso and faction boss Sam Matranga, his cousin and successor, Pietro "Peter" Matranga, is also shot dead at the intersection of Eastlake Avenue and Henry Street."Second in One Family Victim of Black Hand," The Los Angeles Times, December 19, 1917. Shortly afterwards, police begin searching for Mike Marino, who is suspected of killing both Matrangas as well as Tony Pariese in November 1916."International Gunman Sought in Mafia Case," The Los Angeles Times, December 20, 1917. December 23 - Having stopped three Italians on suspicion of carrying concealed weapons, Akron Patrolman Guy Norris begins searching one of the suspects when one of the man's companions pulls out a revolver and shoots the policeman in the chest point blank, damaging his spinal cord and causing instant paralysis. Although the gravely injured policeman is quickly taken to the hospital and manages to live through the day and into the night, he dies early in the morning on Christmas Eve."Akron Policeman Killed by Gunman," Akron Beacon Journal, December 24, 1917. (Unbeknownst to the authorities at the time, Patrolman Norris's murder is just the first in a personal vendetta against the Akron police by Black Hand gang leader Rosario Borgio in retaliation for their frequent harassment of him, and Borgio has even offered a cash bounty for every cop that is killed in this campaign of revenge.) Al Capone It was through the Five Points gang that Al Capone came to the attention of brutal New York mobster Frankie Yale. In 1917, 18-year-old Al Capone went to work for Yale at the Harvard Inn as a bartender and as a waiter and bouncer when needed. Capone watched and learned as Yale used violence to maintain control over his empire. One day while working at the Harvard Inn, Capone saw a man and woman sitting at a table. After his initial advances were ignored, Capone went up to the good-looking woman and whispered in her ear, "Honey, you have a nice ass and I mean that as a compliment." The man with her was her brother, Frank Gallucio. Defending his sister's honor, Gallucio punched Capone. However, Capone didn't let it end there; he decided to fight back. Gallucio then took out a knife and slashed at Capone's face, managing to cut Capone's left cheek three times (one of which cut Capone from ear to mouth). The scars left from this attack led to Capone's nickname of "Scarface," a name he personally hated.December 2023 Births May 24 – Anthony Provenzano "Tony Pro", Genovese Crime Family Caporegime and New Jersey labor union racketeer Deaths November 5 - Rosario "Sam" Matranga, leader of the Matranga faction of the Los Angeles crime family December 18 - Pietro "Peter" Matranga, leader of the Matranga faction of the Los Angeles crime family 1918 Events Frankie Yale takes leadership of the Unione Siciliane after founder Ignazio "the Wolf" Lupo is convicted of numerous charges ranging from extortion to murder. Tong leader Mock Duck, upon his release from Sing Sing prison, retires from crime. Jan. 10 - Just over two weeks following the murder of Akron Patrolman Guy Norris in December, two more patrolmen, Edward Costigan and Joseph Hunt, are ambushed and shot from behind with automatic revolvers while on their way home from work. Costigan is instantly killed, while Hunt dies in the hospital two nights later. Following the shooting, three "gangsters" - likely members of Rosario Borgio's gang - are observed fleeing from the scene."Offer Reward for Costigan's Slayers," Akron Beacon Journal, January 11, 1918.""Officer Hunt Dies of Wounds; Costigan to Be Buried Tuesday," Akron Beacon Journal, January 14, 1918. March 4 - Chicago Black Hand gang leader Sam Cardinelli fires a gun at Chicago Detective Charles Eitz, missing the policeman and hitting a young mother out with her baby in the knee. Although the woman drops her baby, the baby is not hurt, and Eitz is able to capture Cardinelli later the same day."Woman Shot When Man Fires at Policeman," Chicago Tribune, March 5, 1918. Charged with assault with intent to kill, Cardinelli is acquitted of the crime in September."Freed of Assault Charge," Chicago Tribune, September 5, 1918. March 12 - A fourth Akron policeman, Patrolman Gethin Richards, is fatally shot in a shootout with members of Rosario Borgio's gang, and dies in the hospital that afternoon. Unlike with the previous murders, however, several of the gang are quickly apprehended, and Borgio himself is arrested the following day at a hotel."Richards Dies from Bandits' Bullets," Akron Beacon Journal, March 12, 1918."Arrest Fourth Foreigner in Richards Case," Akron Beacon Journal, March 14, 1918. April 1 - In a case similar to that of Herman Rosenthal, New York gambler Harry Cohen is shot dead in his apartment building shortly after he had contacted the assistant district attorney to arrange a meeting with him to provide information about other gamblers. Morris "Big Morris" Rothenberg, another gambler, is arrested as a suspect soon after,"Gambler Slain for Squealing; Suspect Held," New York Tribune, April 2, 1918. but is acquitted at trial in October."Rothenberg Freed of Slaying Police Gambling 'Pigeon'," The Evening World, October 14, 1918. May 17 - Black Hand gang leader Rosario Borgio is convicted of first degree murder in the killing of Akron police officer Gethin Richards in March."First Ballot Convicted Borgia; Prisoner Has Sleepless Night," Akron Beacon Journal, May 18, 1918. Eight days later, on May 25, Borgio is sentenced to death in the electric chair."Borgia Will Die in Chair September 13," Akron Beacon Journal, May 25, 1918. June 6 – Ciro Terranova is charged with ordering the deaths of Charles Lombardi, Joe DiMarco and Michael Hayes. However, the case is later dropped."Terranova Acquitted," The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 7, 1918. July 20 - In Swoyersville, Pennsylvania, mobster Ignatz Cosmano is shot dead on Oliver St. following an argument with another unidentified man, who escapes into the night after fatally shooting another man who attempts to pursue him. The following Monday, July 22, the local newspapers mistakenly identify Cosmano as Santo Volpe, the boss of the Mafia in Northwestern Pennsylvania."Were Three Murders on Saturday," The Evening News, July 22, 1918. The following day, the papers correct their mistake, explaining that the body of Cosmano, who was apparently a Volpe henchman, was found with Volpe's business card in his pocket."Santo Volpe Not Murdered," The Evening News, July 23, 1918. Births Michael James Genovese, Pittsburgh crime family Boss and possible cousin of Vito Genovese January 31 – Philip Rastelli "Rusty", Bonanno crime family Don Deaths April 1 - Harry Cohen, New York City gambler July 20 - Ignatz Cosmano, member of the Bufalino crime family 1919 Events Al Capone leaves New York, after an altercation with a member of the White Hand Gang, going to Chicago, where he becomes a top lieutenant to Johnny Torrio. Recently imprisoned criminal Joe Valachi encounters inmate and future mentor New York mobster Alessandro Vollero. Salvatore Sabella becomes leader of the Philadelphia crime syndicate. Frank Costello forms a novelty company which makes Kewpie dolls in punchboard games. By the following year Costello had made $80,000 ($US 0.08 1919 1 c million today), which he used to become a bootlegger at the start of Prohibition. January 3 - Detroit Mafia boss Antonio "Tony" Giannola is shot dead as he walks from his car toward a house on Rivard Street."Gunmen Murder 'Tony' Giannola, Feudist Leader," The Detroit Free Press, January 4, 1919. January 19 - During a police raid on a crap game on West Fifty-Seventh St. in New York City, gambler and crime boss Arnold Rothstein draws his revolver and fires through the doors, wounding two police detectives and piercing the coat of another. Rothstein, who had previously been the victim of armed robberies in the past, believed the police raiders were more robbers attempting to holdup his latest high-stakes game."'Jinx' Gambler Shoots Three in Craps Raid," New York Tribune, January 20, 1919. In late July, the charges against Rothstein are dropped."Man Accused of Shooting Two Detectives Is Freed," New York Tribune, July 25, 1919. February 14 - During a raid on a gambling den on Eleventh St., Buffalo police arrest fourteen men, including the owner, Benedetto Angelo "Buffalo Bill" Palmeri, underboss of the Buffalo crime family. The following day, Palmeri and another man are fined for having unlicensed revolvers."Two Are Fined, Twelve Discharged," The Buffalo Times, February 16, 1919. February 21 - Cleveland Black Hand leader Rosario Borgio and Frank Mazzanno are executed in the electric chair for the murder of Akron police officer Gethin Richards in March 1918."Mazzano and Borgia Die in Chair," Akron Evening Times, February 21, 1919. February 27 - Around midnight, Frank Costello and a friend are arrested in Buffalo for carrying concealed weapons."Two Youths Arouse Suspicion; Cops Place Them Under Arrest," Buffalo Express, February 27, 1919. In March, both men are convicted and sent to prison."Youthful Gun Toters Sent to Pen; One for Lack of Fine," Buffalo Courier, March 14, 1919. April 20 - Thomas Egan, founder of Egan's Rats as well as a Democratic ward politician, dies of Bright's Disease at the age of 44 at his home in St. Louis."Thomas Egan, Politician and Leader of 'Egan's Rats,' Dies," The St. Louis Star, April 21, 1919. May 19 - Around midnight at the Arrowhead Inn, a saloon in the village of Burnham near Chicago, Vincenzo "Big Jim" Colosimo, the owner of the saloon, confronts Chicago Tribune reporter Morrow Krum and physically assaults him with the help of another unidentified man. The reporter had been overheard on the telephone reporting back to his employer about the Arrowhead Inn and other local saloons."Jim Colosimo Beats Reporter on Vice Inquiry," Chicago Tribune, May 19, 1919. Later that day, Colosimo is arrested in Chicago for assault and battery, but quickly bonds out."'Big Jim' Seized for His Attack Upon Reporter," Chicago Tribune, May 20, 1919. July 26 - While he is playing poker at the Marginal Club on Eighth Avenue, Thomas "Tanner" Smith, former leader of the Marginals gang, is shot from behind and killed."Shots End Party; Kill Gang Leader," The Sun, July 27, 1919."Slain Ex-Gangster Had Been Reformed," The Sun, July 28, 1919. Later witnesses identify rival gangsters Robert "Rubber" Shaw, George "Chick" Lewis, and a third man as Smith's killers."'Rubber' Shaw Killed 'Tanner' Smith; Who Killed Shaw?" Illustrated Daily News, August 2, 1919. July 29 – New York labor slugger Johnny Spanish is killed by three unidentified gunman possibly including rival gangster Nathan Kaplan."'Johnny Spanish' Slain in East Side," The New York Times, July 30, 1919. July 31 - Hudson Dusters leader Robert "Rubber" Shaw is killed and George "Chick" Lewis is wounded in a shooting in Hoboken, New Jersey, likely in retaliation for the murder of Tanner Smith on the 26th."Gun Fight in Hoboken," The New York Times, August 1, 1919. August 5 - Two days after the end of the Chicago race riot, ten members of the Ragen's Colts gang are arrested after threatening to steal the weapons of militiamen protecting the black neighborhoods and use them to reignite the racial violence there. The suspects are soon released, however."Militiamen Arrest Ten; Charge Men Made Threats," Chicago Tribune, August 6, 1919. September 1 - Claiming self-defense, gambler Marty Guilfoyle shoots and kills Chicago gangster and labor racketeer Peter Gentleman at a cigar store that Guilfoyle owns, apparently in a dispute over gambling interests."Gentleman's Killing Bares Wide Gambling," Chicago Tribune, September 2, 1919. September 9 - Following a car chase, Chicago detectives capture a gang of six suspected safe burglars, including Earl "Hymie" Weiss (identified in the paper as "Harold Werss"). The detectives also find burglar's tools and half a bottle of nitro glycerin in the thieves' automobile."Chase and Sieze [sic] Six; Called Big Safe Blowers," Chicago Tribune, September 10, 1919. October 1 - The first game of the 1919 World Series takes place in Cincinnati between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds, with the heavily favored White Sox losing to the Reds 9 to 1."White Sox Lose in Opener, 9 to 1," Chicago Tribune, October 2, 1919. The Reds would go on to win the Series, 5 games to 3, largely as a result of a conspiracy between eight members of the White Sox and a syndicate of professional gamblers, alleged to have been planned by New York City gambler and gang leader Arnold Rothstein in what would come to be known as the Black Sox Scandal."Inside Story of Plot to Buy World's Series," Chicago Tribune, September 25, 1920. October 2 - Salvatore "Sam" Giannola, the boss of the Detroit Mafia ever since the murder of his cousin, Tony Giannola, back in January, is shot multiple times as he is leaving a bank at the intersection of Russell St. and Monroe Ave. He is able to walk back inside before collapsing and dying."Sam Giannola, Feudist, Slain; Shot 28 Times," The Detroit Free Press, October 3, 1919. Births James "Jimmy Brown" Failla, senior caporegime for the Gambino crime family and labor union racketeer Gennaro Jay "Jerry" Angiulo, former Patriarca crime family underboss January 14 – Giulio Andreotti, Italian Prime Minister and mafia associate April 21 – Licio Gelli, Italian mason and mafia associate Deaths January 3 - Antonio "Tony" Giannola, leader of the Giannola faction of the Detroit Mafia February 21 – Rosario Borgio, Cleveland Black Hand leader February 21 - Frank Mazzanno, member of Rosario Borgio's Black Hand gang April 20 - Thomas Egan, St. Louis politician and founder of Egan's Rats July 26 - Thomas "Tanner" Smith, leader of the Marginals July 29 – Johnny Spanish, Five Points Gang member and labor racketeer July 31 - Robert "Rubber" Shaw, leader of the Hudson Dusters September 1 - Peter Gentleman, Chicago gangster and labor racketeer October 2 - Salvatore "Sam" Giannola, leader of the Giannola faction of the Detroit Mafia References Category:Years in organized crime