Al Capone, Taxes, and the Lost Marshal

Much has been written about Alphonse "Al" Capone, the massive underworld and Mafia figure from the 1920's and 1930's.

(1)

Finally arrested in 1931, the Internal Revenue Service pegged him on tax charges, not for his other generally recognized criminal activities.

(2)

However, have you heard of his older brother?

James "Two-Gun" Capone or also known as "Richard Hart"

Evidently departing the family in the early part of the 1900's, James adventured around the world in circuses, Europe, and Central America. He finally settled down in a little town in Nebraska called Homer and immediately began acquiring his reputation, not mentioning to the other people in town his storied family history back east.

He tried a variety of jobs and occupations, including Indian agent as well as a Prohibition agent and evidently was very successful.

Called "Two-Gun" in the October 1, 1951 issue of Newsweek, James Capone, aka: Richard Hart, was also described as "....a tough officer who would not take a bribe...." (3)

(4)

However, it seems in the later part of the 1930's, life turned for James and he appealed to his family back east for financial assistance. Ralph "Bottles" Capone transferred one of his properties over to him, providing income. As a result of this, the 1951 investigation of Ralph also brought to light James and his past.

Now, here is where history departs, and I leave it for you to decide what is the truth and what isn't. In the articles and magazines I have seen, James (Richard) is described as an upstanding, very effective lawman. However, other sources tell a different tale:

"Some of it was true...including fantasy service in World War I..." (5)

In any event, no matter what the outcome, it's a great story! I've provided some links and some interesting reading below that will help inform and perhaps entertain. I hope you enjoy it!

Have a great day, see you tomorrow!

Links:

Capone Brothers-Encyclopedia of Crime
Homer, Nebraska entry for James Capone
Mr. Capone
Wikipedia-James Capone
Wikipedia-Ralph Capone

Sources:
(1)DN-0081114, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. (LOC)
(1)
(2)NARA-Search for Capone
(3)Newsweek, October 1, 1051, pg. 23
(4)LOC-Prints & Photographs Reading Room
(5)Google Book Search, Title: Mr. Capone, by Robert Schoenberg, pg. 350.

From "Fatty" to York to Wrigley: The Chicago Daily News in the Depression Era

The Depression has always fascinated me from a historical point, because it seems to be a changing point in American history, almost a break with the past eras such as the Gilded Age or the Civil War. I was thinking about this when I stumbled across the Chicago Daily News section of the American Memory Project

(1)

There are some great resources here, including famous personalities. For example, here we have:

Alvin York
(2)

Roscoe Arbuckle
(3)

and many others!

I found out more about the paper as well, including the fact that it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize an astounding 13 times! An afternoon paper (I miss those), the Chicago Daily News was geared for the masses. This in contrast with the morning paper, the Chicago Tribune, which aimed for a higher class of readership and was the morning paper. Take a few minutes and explore some of the photographs. They are really neat and paint a picture, so to speak, of an America that no longer exists, for good or bad....you choose.

PS: Great photographs of Wrigley Field, just in case you are interested!!!

Have a great day, good weekend...and I've got to go shovel some snow now!


See you tomorrow!



Links:
Chicago Daily News (Wikipedia)
Chicago Daily News (LOC-American Memory Project)

Sources:
(1) DN-0009593, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. (LOC)
(2)DN-0090082, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. (LOC)
(3)DN-0072778, Chicago Daily News negatives collection, Chicago Historical Society. (LOC)