ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

From Al Capone's Rise to His Ruthlessness; 10 Lesser-Known Tales From the Gangster's Life

The notorious mobster, often depicted as a ruthless gangster ruling over Chicago's criminal underworld during the Prohibition era, has captured the imagination of many.
UPDATED SEP 19, 2023
Cover Image Source:  Wikimedia Commons
Cover Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

In the annals of American criminal history, few names evoke as much fascination and infamy as that of Al Capone. The notorious mobster, has often been depicted as a ruthless gangster ruling over Chicago's criminal underworld during the Prohibition era. However, beyond the tales of violence and illicit activities, there are lesser-known aspects of Capone's life that paint a more intricate portrait of the man behind the legend. Delve into these 10 intriguing facts that shed light on the facets of Al Capone's life that haven't been highlighted.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Far from the gritty streets of Chicago which he ruled, Al Capone was surprisingly brought up in New York. In 1899, Capone was born to immigrant parents in Brooklyn, and his upbringing mirrored that of countless other struggling immigrant families. His father, a barber, and his mother, a seamstress, worked hard to provide for their nine children. These humble beginnings likely played a pivotal role in shaping Capone's pursuit of a more prosperous life.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Capone's path to criminal notoriety took an unexpected turn during his schooling years, although he never exhibited signs of the criminal behaviour early on. However, as he progressed through middle school, his interest in academics waned, and he gravitated toward the company of less savory characters. A pivotal moment arrived when he assaulted a teacher, leading to his abrupt departure from the educational system. Before his plunge into organized crime, Capone worked various odd jobs, including stints at candy stores and bowling alleys.

Image Source:
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Capone's entry into the world of criminality began after his school days came to an abrupt end, and he found camaraderie with young gangs such as the South Brooklyn Rippers and the Forty Thieves Juniors. These groups primarily engaged in minor offenses like shoplifting and vandalism, but it was his association with the James Street Boys gang that laid the foundation for connections that helped him emerge as a kingpin.

Image Source:  Wikimedia Commons
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

During his time with the James Street Boys, Capone developed a close relationship with Johnny Torrio, the gang's leader, for whom he performed odd jobs until 1909. After Torrio relocated to Chicago, he introduced Capone to Frankie Yale, the leader of the Five Points gang. Capone's role as a bouncer and bartender in Yale's establishments was where his infamous moniker, Scarface, originated.

Image Source:  Wikimedia Commons
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Contrary to cinematic depictions, Capone's scarred visage wasn't the result of a dramatic gangland clash. Instead, it stemmed from a brawl in a brothel where he worked as a bartender. During a fight with a woman and her brother, Capone's actions led to a violent altercation that left him marked with scars. This incident marked an early indicator of his propensity for violence, which would later become a hallmark of his criminal career.

Image Source:  Wikimedia Commons
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

In 1909, Torrio's relocation to Chicago marked a turning point for Capone as it set the stage for their collaboration in the criminal underworld. Capone officially joined Torrio in 1920, coinciding with the suspicious assassination of Big Jim Colosimo, Torrio's predecessor. This event allowed Torrio and Capone to seize control and embark on a bootlegging venture that would come to define their criminal empire.

Image Source: Arnie Papp/CC BY 2.0
Image Source: Arnie Papp/CC BY 2.0

Capone's attempts to legitimize his image were consistently overshadowed by his violent inclinations. His ongoing power struggles with rival gangs culminated in the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre of 1929. From his base in Miami, Florida, Capone allegedly ordered the execution of seven members of the Bugs Moran gang. The perpetrators, dressed as police officers, carried out the gruesome act, but the prime suspect Capone escaped conviction.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

While both Miami and the federal government sought to dismantle his empire, it was tax evasion that ultimately brought down Capone. Unable to prove his direct involvement in violent crimes, authorities targeted his financial improprieties. The US Treasury's Special Intelligence Unit meticulously gathered evidence of his undeclared wealth. In 1931, Capone faced conviction for tax evasion, resulting in an 11-year prison sentence, a portion of which he served at Alcatraz.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

Capone's move to Miami was far from a tranquil retirement, as locals saw him with suspicion, perceiving his presence as an invitation for criminal activity. Local media outlets waged a slanderous campaign against him, hoping to drive him away. Despite this opposition, Capone chose to establish roots in the city, prompting government intervention and continual surveillance that eventually played a role in his downfall.

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons /Public Domain
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons /Public Domain

After his release from Alcatraz in 1939, Capone's health deteriorated due to advanced syphilis. Mental decline and dementia set in, rendering him incapable of returning to his criminal pursuits. He spent his remaining years in his Miami residence, passing away in 1947. His death marked the end of an era and was met with a mix of relief and celebration in the media.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
He also displayed the same expertise and ease to bounce back while solving puzzles.
11 hours ago
Carey was working with the contestant all along telling him to go higher and lower.
12 hours ago
The round features four players bidding for items on the stage; however, not all of them get picked to enter the final games.
14 hours ago
The co-founders of Bubbly Blaster made a clean pitch and bagged an easy deal from two Sharks.
15 hours ago
The host himself and models on the show have been involved in such gaffes from time to time.
1 day ago
The guest who inherited a Fern Coppedge painting from her grandfather was blown away by its true value.
1 day ago
Harvey has also admitted that he is unable to recall names on his own show.
1 day ago
The comments didn't go down well with the rest of the panel and they didn't hold back.
1 day ago
The statue even triggered a bidding war when it went up for auction at Sotheby's.
1 day ago
The player who made his second appearance on the show did not let his excitement die.
2 days ago
The expert also shared tips on preserving the lampshade's value while transporting it.
2 days ago
Steve Harvey had to ask the contestant twice to make sure he got it right.
2 days ago
The guest who estimated it to be worth $5,000 got the shock of her lifetime.
2 days ago
As George Gray said, those wedding cans would look great hanging off her new car.
3 days ago
White was pitted against two other beautiful women, Summer Bartholomew, who was Miss USA 1975, and model Vicki McCarty, her friend.
3 days ago
The founder also went on to write an opinion piece slamming the shark for her behavior.
3 days ago
The pastor covered his mic and whispered something in Harvey's ear, making him awkward.
3 days ago
While the monetary value of the item was high for the expert, for the guest, the item was priceless.
3 days ago
The contestant kept trying to reassure Harvey as he tried to collect his thoughts.
4 days ago
She became the fourth player in the show's history to win so much in the Bonus Round.
4 days ago