Al Capone's Childhood To Adulthood
Al Capone was born on January 17, 1899, in Brooklyn, New York, and was baptized with the name of "Alphonsus Capone." He grew up in a rough neighborhood, and became a member of two kid gangs, the "Brooklyn Rippers" and the "Forty Thieves Juniors". Although he was smart, Al Capone quit school in sixth grade at age of fourteen. Between crime jobs, he worked as clerk in a candy store, a "pinboy" in a bowling alley, and a cutter in a book bindery. He became part of the infamous "Five Points" gang in Manhattan and worked in the Harvard Inn as a bouncer and bartender. While working at the Inn, Al Capone received his famous facial scars, and the resulting nickname "Scarface", when he insulted a patron and was attacked by her brother.
Al Capone met an Irish girl named Mary "Mae" Coughlin and married her late December 30, 1918. They had a son named Albert "Sonny" Francis.
Al Capone met an Irish girl named Mary "Mae" Coughlin and married her late December 30, 1918. They had a son named Albert "Sonny" Francis.
How Capone Became a Crime Boss
The gang leader (Yale) sent Capone to Chicago, after Capone was arrested for disorderly conduct, and murdering two men. He and his family moved to Chicago in 1919, and his family into a house at 7244 South Prairie Avenue.
Capone went to work for Yale's old mentor, John Torrio. Torrio saw Capone's potential, and encouraged him. Soon Capone was helping Torrio manage his bootlegging business. By the middle of 1922, Capone ranked as Torrio's right hand man. When Torrio was shot by rival gang members and decided to leave Chicago, Capone became boss. His Career as Crime boss
Capone's gang members liked, trusted, and obeyed Capone. The called him "The Big Fellow". He quickly proved that he was even better than Torrio. Capone controlled speakeasies, bookie joints, gambling houses, brothels, horse and race tracks, nightclubs, distilleries and breweries and made at least $100,000,000 a year. After the police took serious interest in him, Capone moved to Palm Beach, Florida. Many people tried to kill him, but none ever succeeded, because had spies everywhere - from the police force to newsmen, and everywhere in between. Ironically, Capone's rivals were always killed quickly and concisely. Capone was responsible for dozens of murders, some of which he accomplished himself. One of his most famous killings was the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
Capone's Prosecution
When Capone served his first prison time in May of 1929, it was for carrying a gun. In 1930, Capone was number one on Chicago's list of the twenty-eight worst criminals, and became the city's "Public Enemy Number One." In 1931, Capone was charged with income tax evasion for the years 1925-1929, failing to file tax returns for the years 1928 and 1929, and lastly, Capone owed $215,080.48 in taxes from his gambling profits. Capone pleaded guilty to all three charges in the belief that he would be able to bribe the judge and jury. However Judge James H. Wilkerson, would not make any deals. Capone changed his plea to not guilty. The jury found Capone not guilty on eighteen of the twenty-three counts. Judge Wilkerson sentenced him to ten years in federal prison and one year in the county jail. The fines were a total of $50,000, and Capone had to pay the prosecution charge of $7,692.29.
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Capone's House
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
Al Capone's Mugshot
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Death of a Crime Boss
While serving his 11 years sentence between Atlanta Federal Prison and Alcatraz, Capone was diagnosed with syphilitic dementia. After his release, Capone spent a little while in the hospital. He went back home to Palm Island where he lived the rest of his life relaxed and quiet. His mind and body continued to deteriorate so that he could no longer run the gang. On January 21, 1947, he had an apoplectic stoke that was not related to his syphilis. He regained consciousness and began to improve until he got pneumonia on January 24. He died the next day from cardiac arrest. Capone was first buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Chicago's South Side between the graves of his father, Gabriele, and brother, Frank, but in March of 1950, the bodies of all three were moved to Mount Carmel Cemetery on the West Side.