Gangs in the 1920s
After the 18th Amendment was put into place, many gangs were created that sold alcohol illegally during the Prohibition. These gangs made a lot of profit from these illegal sales. The gangs also used violence to prove their territory and protect their interests. Most were never charged for their crimes because the officers and judges that worked on the case were paid off. One of the most famous gangsters was Al Capone.
Al Capone grew up in a rough neighborhood and was a part of two child gangs after he quit school in sixth grade. Later on he became part of the 5 Points Gang in Manhattan where he worked for Frankie Yale at the Brooklyn Dive and Harvard Inn as a bouncer and bartender. Yale began to teach him all about the bootlegging business.
Capone's first arrest was for disorderly conduct. He also murdered two men in New York, but since no one said anything, he was never tried for the murders. Capone arrived in Chicago in 1919 to help Yale's business partner, Mr. Torrio. When Torrio was shot by a rival gang member, Capone took over. Capone controlled many speakeasies, gambling houses, horse and race tracks, night clubs, and breweries in Chicago. He would do anything to get his money. He had a reported income of $100,000,000 a year.
Although he had a violent temper, Capone was known for setting up soup kitchens and donating to people in need. After the stock market crash in 1929, he ordered his merchants to donate as well.
Many people tried to murder Capone many times. Most people was stake out his apartment and bombard him whenever he would step outside, somehow he was never killed.
Capone was never tried for most of his crimes because he would pay off anyone involved, or there would not be enough evidence. He was arrested in 1926 for murdering 3 men, but only spent one night in jail because there was not enough evidence.
In 1927, the Sullivan ruling stated that illegal profits were taxable, which meant that Al Capone and his gang was in trouble for tax evasion. In 1931, Capone was charged for the misdemeanor of failing to file tax returns for the years 1928 and 1929, and tax evasion. Capone owed $215,080.48 in taxes from his gambling profits. Capone was sentanced to a total of 10 years in prison and one year in a county jail.
Capone became sick during his time in jail and spent time in the hospital after he served his time in jail. The rest of his life was calm and quiet.
http://www.geni.com/projects/American-Gangsters-of-the-1920s-and-1930s/3525
Comments
Well done!!