When Dion O'Banion was killed in 1924, Hymie Weiss (born Earl Wajciechowski in Poland, in 1898) took over his gang and swore vengeance on the killers of his best friend. Johnny Torrio had put out the contract on O'Banion; he was badly wounded by gunmen in January 1925, leaving Al Capone in charge of his mob. That same month, Weiss, "Bugs" Moran and "Schemer" Drucci sprayed … [Read more...] about Hymie Weiss, born Earl Wajciechowski
killer
Peter Von Frantzius specialized in arming the city’s criminals
On September 25, 1925, Spike O'Donnell flattened as Frankie McErlane sped by bullets spraying wildly over the corner of 63rd and Western. O'Donnell walked away from the shooting unharmed and unaware he had survived the first Chicago gang shooting involving a Thompson submachine gun. A month later, after practicing with the novel weapon. McErlane returned. This time, he … [Read more...] about Peter Von Frantzius specialized in arming the city’s criminals
Alphonse Al Capone, “Scarface”
Alphonse Capone grew up in the Brooklyn slums and was thrown out of school in the sixth grade for attacking his teacher. While working as a bouncer at the Harvard Inn for Frankie Yale, then head of the Unione Siciliane, Capone cracked many a drunk's skull and was himself cut across the cheek, thus acquiring the nickname "Scarface". By 1919, Capone was suspected of two … [Read more...] about Alphonse Al Capone, “Scarface”
Giacomo “Big Jim” Colosimo
In 1895, Giacomo "Big Jim" Colosimo moved into Chicago's Levee District, home to 2000 brothels, saloons and gambling dens. Ironically, legitimate work as a street sweeper caused his rise in the underworld, as Colosimo organized the street sweepers into a social club that came to the attention of notorious Aldermen "Bathhouse" John Coughlan and "Hinky Dink" Kenna. … [Read more...] about Giacomo “Big Jim” Colosimo
14 Women have been Executed in the United States since 1976
Since the Supreme Court has lifted the ban on capital punishment in 1976, 14 women have been executed. Wednesday night marked the most recent. Suzanne Basso, 59, underwent lethal injection in Texas for the torture and killing of a mentally impaired man she lured to the state with the promise of marriage. Since 1903, more than 50 women have … [Read more...] about 14 Women have been Executed in the United States since 1976
