Al Capone, American mob boss (d. 1947)

Alphonse Gabriel Capone: The Notorious "Scarface" and Architect of the Chicago Outfit

Alphonse Gabriel Capone, born on January 17, 1899, and passing on January 25, 1947, rose to infamy as an American gangster and astute businessman during the turbulent Prohibition era (1920–1933). Often recognized by his chilling nickname "Scarface," a moniker derived from a razor attack during his early criminal career, Capone co-founded and became the undisputed boss of the notorious Chicago Outfit. His impactful, albeit illicit, seven-year reign as a preeminent crime boss abruptly concluded when he was incarcerated at the relatively young age of 33.

From Brooklyn Streets to Chicago's Underworld Dominance

Born in New York City to Italian immigrant parents, Gabriele and Teresina Capone from Angri, Italy, Alphonse Capone's formative years were spent in Brooklyn. As a teenager, he gravitated towards the criminal underworld, joining the infamous Five Points Gang, a powerful street gang operating in Lower Manhattan. His early experiences included working as a bouncer in various organized crime establishments, including saloons and brothels run by figures like Frankie Yale on Coney Island. This provided him with firsthand exposure to the mechanics of illicit businesses.

In his early twenties, Capone's trajectory shifted significantly when he relocated to Chicago. This move was at the invitation of his former mentor, Johnny Torrio, who headed a burgeoning criminal syndicate. This syndicate was the direct forerunner of the Chicago Outfit and specialized in the highly profitable illegal supply of alcohol—a cornerstone of the Prohibition economy. Torrio's operations benefited from extensive political protection, particularly through the Unione Siciliana, an organization that, while appearing legitimate, often served as a front for criminal activities.

Capone quickly ascended the ranks, becoming Torrio's trusted bodyguard and factotum. A brutal and prolonged conflict with the rival North Side Gang, initially led by Dean O'Banion and later by George "Bugs" Moran, proved instrumental in both Capone's meteoric rise and eventual downfall. The intense gang war for control of Chicago's lucrative illicit liquor market saw unprecedented violence. After narrowly surviving an assassination attempt by North Side gunmen, Torrio decided to retire and unequivocally handed control of the vast criminal empire to Capone.

Under Capone's leadership, the bootlegging business expanded dramatically, often achieved through increasingly violent and ruthless means. However, his seemingly impenetrable position was bolstered by mutually profitable relationships with corrupt city officials, most notably Mayor William Hale "Big Bill" Thompson, and key figures within the Chicago Police Department. These alliances ensured he operated with a disturbing degree of impunity from local law enforcement.

Public Persona and the Infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre

Al Capone was an anomaly among crime bosses of his era, openly reveling in public attention. He frequently attended sporting events, often receiving cheers from spectators, a testament to his cultivated public image. He actively engaged in philanthropic endeavors, famously establishing soup kitchens during the Great Depression. This carefully crafted persona led many to view him as a "modern-day Robin Hood," a benefactor who shared his ill-gotten gains with the less fortunate, subtly legitimizing his presence in the public eye.

However, this veneer of public benevolence was shattered by the brutal Saint Valentine's Day Massacre on February 14, 1929. This horrific event saw seven members and associates of Bugs Moran's North Side Gang systematically murdered in broad daylight within a Chicago garage. The victims were lined against a wall and gunned down by men disguised as police officers, an act widely attributed to Capone's Outfit. The sheer audacity and brutality of the massacre sent shockwaves across the nation, severely damaging the public image of Chicago and Capone himself. It spurred influential citizens to demand immediate government intervention, leading newspapers to famously dub Capone "Public Enemy No.1"—a label that forever cemented his place in American criminal lore.

The Federal Crackdown and Final Years

The widespread outrage following the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre intensified federal scrutiny on Capone. Unable to successfully prosecute him for Prohibition violations or violent crimes due to witness intimidation and rampant corruption, federal authorities, particularly the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), shifted their focus. Led by determined agents such as Frank J. Wilson, they meticulously built a case based on tax evasion, a relatively novel approach to prosecuting organized crime leaders at the time.

Capone was ultimately charged with 22 counts of tax evasion and various violations of the Volstead Act. In a highly publicized trial in 1931, the prosecution skillfully used Capone's own prior admissions of income and unpaid taxes—made during abortive negotiations to settle his debts with the government—as crucial evidence. Convicted on five counts of tax evasion, he was sentenced to an unprecedented 11 years in federal prison. Following his conviction, Capone replaced his original defense team with experts in tax law, and his grounds for appeal were initially strengthened by a favorable Supreme Court ruling. However, his subsequent appeal ultimately failed.

Capone began his sentence at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary before being transferred to the notorious Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in 1934, a move designed to isolate him from his criminal network. Early in his incarceration, he exhibited clear signs of neurosyphilis, a condition he had likely contracted much earlier but which had progressed due to inadequate medical treatment. His mental and physical health steadily deteriorated throughout his imprisonment, a stark contrast to his once-commanding presence. After serving nearly eight years, including time at the Federal Correctional Institution at Terminal Island, Capone was released on parole due to his failing health. He passed away at his home on Palm Island, Florida, on January 25, 1947, succumbing to cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke, with complications from advanced syphilis contributing to his demise.

Frequently Asked Questions About Al Capone

What was Al Capone's nickname?
Al Capone was most widely known by the nickname "Scarface," a reference to facial scars he sustained in a razor attack during his youth.
How did Al Capone rise to power in Chicago?
Capone's rise began as an enforcer and trusted aide to Johnny Torrio, the head of a Chicago crime syndicate. He gained full control after Torrio retired following an assassination attempt, then expanded the bootlegging business through violence and shrewd political corruption, particularly with Mayor William Hale Thompson.
What was the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre?
The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre was a notorious event on February 14, 1929, where seven members and associates of the rival North Side Gang were murdered in Chicago. It was widely attributed to Al Capone's Chicago Outfit and significantly damaged his public image.
Why was Al Capone called "Public Enemy No.1"?
After the brutality of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre, newspapers and federal authorities widely adopted the term "Public Enemy No.1" to describe Al Capone, reflecting the public's outrage and the government's intensified efforts to bring him to justice.
What was Al Capone ultimately convicted of?
Al Capone was ultimately convicted of five counts of tax evasion in 1931, a charge federal authorities pursued after finding it difficult to prosecute him for other crimes due to his political influence and witness intimidation.
Where was Al Capone imprisoned?
Al Capone served parts of his sentence at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary and later at the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.
What caused Al Capone's decline in health?
Al Capone suffered from neurosyphilis, a condition that progressed significantly during his imprisonment due to a lack of effective treatment, leading to severe mental and physical deterioration.