The world has always been full of villainy, but the most brutal and unruly period for America was the 1920s. However, the era of Prohibition and the Great Depression turned out to be a golden "cinematic" epoch. Surely among you, dear readers, there are many fans of crime dramas with a charismatic gangster hero. Almost every such character has a real-life prototype, and that's Al Capone, one of the most famous Italian mobsters in the US.
Thanks to him, the image of the gangster acquired a romantic flair, and cinema was enriched with classics of the crime drama genre. Of course, the image of a charming criminal is good for Hollywood, but is it ethical to include in the concept of forming a national treasure the mansion of a murderer and gangster, even the most famous? Could you live or enjoy relaxing at 93 Palm?
Who Was Al Capone: The Beginning of the Journey
The future boss of the Chicago mafia was born to Italian immigrants. Little Alphonse Gabriel's homeland became Brooklyn, where his parents had moved from Naples. He was the fourth of nine children and was known for his aggressive character.
Capone's criminal history started early: as a teenager, he joined a gang of extortionists and owners of illegal gambling businesses called "Five Points." His "godfather" was none other than Giovanni Torrio, also known as "Papa Johnny," "The Fox," the theorist of "La Cosa Nostra." But New York, with its fierce competition and perceptive cops, soon became too cramped, and in 1918 Papa Johnny, taking his helpers with him, headed to Chicago. Al Capone was enthusiastic about the move since he had already left a bloody trail — with two murders to his name.
His first baptism of fire in the "James Street" gang in New York — a scar from a knife on his face would play a role in Capone's life, becoming the reason for his later nickname. In pop culture, the "Scarface" image emerged — a portrayal of a charismatic gangster from the eponymous movie.
The Chicago Period
In Torrio's gang, Alphonse quickly rose from a simple bouncer to the right hand of the great and terrible Papa Johnny. Soon, the boss stepped back from the business: two assassination attempts and a gunshot wound cooled the ardor of the seasoned gangster, and he handed over his dealings to his protégé. At that time, Capone was 26 years old, and his group included about 1,000 gangsters, collecting about $300,000 a week. The primary income came from bootlegging and running brothels.
According to Al Capone himself, the suburbs of Chicago were at that time "virgin territory for public houses." This business was entirely his idea. But it was John Torrio who suggested turning Prohibition, which was adopted in the US on January 16, 1919, to his advantage. The "dry" twenties turned out to be a time of rampant underground bars, the emergence of legendary cocktails, and horrific mafia wars. Early in his Chicago period, Al Capone joined the Sicilian union of mafia clans. Within it, the "Corporation of Killers," executors of the mafia's will, was created.
The most bloody and cold-blooded incident in Capone's life is considered to be the massacre he orchestrated on February 14, 1929, in Chicago. By then, the gangster had become the head of local crime. His men, dressed as policemen, wiped out the cream of the main competitor's gang — Bugs Moran, who survived by a stroke of luck. McGurn, a gangster known as "Machine Gun," managed everything while the boss was vacationing in Florida. But everyone understood the price of this alibi — from criminal circles to the police top brass.
Al Capone was never charged, and McGurn's retribution caught up with him: a symbolic valentine was found next to his riddled body on February 13, 1936. This story is immortalized in the crime drama "The St. Valentine's Day Massacre" and in the plot of the film "Some Like It Hot."
Over the 14 years of his criminal rule, the Chicago boss gave 400 orders, and a total of 700 murders occurred.
Capone life in Miami
By the 1930s, American justice had begun to change its methods of combating the mafia, and the FBI was headed by Edgar Hoover, who launched a campaign against Capone. Now journalists followed the gangster. He had to flee from Chicago to Los Angeles, and then to Miami. Formally, he lived on Palm Island from 1928 to 1947. But in fact, much less, since his prison chapter began in 1929. Capone received his sentences for illegal possession of weapons and tax evasion.
Even from captivity, he managed to control his people. But being sent to the legendary Alcatraz prison in 1934 ended the reign of the king of gangsters. He got out early, losing his former influence, and as doctors claimed, with late-stage syphilis. The last 8 years, partially paralyzed, Capone spent in his luxurious mansion in Miami behind a two-meter wall. Address 93 Palm is known to every American. Here, in the prestigious area of Miami Beach, the story of Al Capone — the creator of the criminal empire of the Prohibition era in the US — ended.
Al Capone was buried in Chicago twice: his first grave attracted so many tourists that relatives decided to move the remains of the great gangster to another place. Real estate reviews recently announced that the estate at 93 Palm is also up for sale for $15 million.
What else did Capone remember?
- 01.The famous racketeer, murderer, and bootlegger's business card read: furniture dealer. He also owned a chain of laundries, and the phrase "money laundering" has a literal meaning.
- 02.Famous sayings — "You can accomplish much more with a kind word and a gun than just a kind word," "It's nothing personal, just business," and the emergence of racketeering in the world of crime are all attributed to Capone.
- 03.Al Capone's armored Cadillac weighed 3.5 tons. After confiscation, it was used by the American president.
- 04.The murderer and gangster had a love for music: he wrote songs, performed with the ensemble "The Rock Island," playing the banjo. One of his musical pieces, "Humoresque," was sold at auction for $18,750 in Boston.
In Miami, there's a chance to look at the last refuge of the gangster of all times and peoples. American Butler acknowledges the taste of the famous mafioso — the decoration of the mansion is done in Art Deco style. And we remind you that we are always happy to help with real estate issues in Miami. We always build our relationships with clients at the highest level. You will definitely be satisfied!
With American Butler, you ensure your comfort in both a budget studio apartment and a luxurious villa!
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