Every
intimate detail in the criminal life of Alphonso Caponi is common knowledge in
most households. The name conjures up images of early 1900s Chicago,
Prohibition, and the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre; or Eliot Ness, tax evasion,
and the Untouchables. Some legends are fact, others fiction. Either way, Al
Capone had people killed.
While
there is no excuse for murdering a dinner guest with a baseball bat, an
examination of Capone’s formative years is revealing. Not much is publicized
about young Alphonse, how he quit attending a Brooklyn school and joined up
with one of the gangs of New York.
The
gangs Martin Scorsese portrayed in his movie of the same name were the
forerunners and mentors to the ones Alphonse and his brothers joined. Likely,
Capone was a descendant member of the original and ruthless Five Points gang,
the gang that won elections with the sharp end of a hatchet.
Alphonse
Capone, also known as Scarface, wasn’t a unique mob boss. He was a lemming who
followed in the footsteps of earlier generations, ‘survival of the fittest’
gangs with names like Dead Rabbits, Bowery Boys, and Plug Uglies.
Would
you agree that inhumanity, not Eliot Ness, ended the reign of Al Capone?
I've never really looked into Al Capone, so I learned a few things from this post. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI've don't know much about him so I can't really even give an educated guess, but interesting topic! Will "criminals" be a running theme of yours? Interesting idea! Nice to meet you. New follower!
ReplyDeleteJessica, my theme is "A World of Crimes" and my personal challenge to myself was to write exactly 200 words for each post ... I succeeded!
ReplyDeleteI'll be visiting your blogs, Masquerade Crew and Jessica Bell.
I knew of Al Capone but your post made interesting reading.
ReplyDeleteI saw Alcatraz Prison from San Fransisco Bay whilst in the US last month.
Yvonne.
interesting A
ReplyDeletehere is mine too
http://pa-ul.blogspot.com/search/label/GAC%20A-Z%20Artists
Scarface Al, the bane of Chitown. He was most definitely a lemming, but one that knew how to survive by pushing the others over the cliff first. I agree with you, I think his crimes and bad behavior caught up to him and he would have gone down without Ness.
ReplyDeleteWe are going to have a great challenge. I can't wait to see what else you've got cooking for the month.
I'm enjoying all the different themes I'm finding this morning in the A to Z posts. I wonder how Capone's violence compares to the drug cartels in Mexico. Good luck with the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of Al Capone but I suspect that most of that is not built on fact.
ReplyDeleteInteresting start to the challenge.
Hmm...this intrigued me. Now I'm super curious about the mob bosses before Al. Great post - new follower :)
ReplyDeleteI agree, sometimes Karma reacts faster in the form of another gun. Too many of those gangsters have been romanticized.
ReplyDeleteGreat pick for a topic.
DG Hudson - Rainforest Writing
In college, we had to read a novel that was based on him. I wish I could remember the name of it or who wrote it - I'd love to read it again.
ReplyDeleteMob bosses, how cool. Interesting post.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about him. I never really watched any of the many films based on him and don't have any facts, so I'm not sure I could answer your question. It was a really interesting post though. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing idea for a challenge theme. I love this post - I think Capone is simply fascinating. He's one of my favorite criminals to read about - along with Bonnie and Clyde. Your next posts perhaps? Great post and happy A-Z challenge!
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and leaving some great comments, everyone. I am on the way over to your blogs now (except Pa Ul ... Blogger says you "don't exist" so I'll try again later.
ReplyDeleteOoh, interesting A-Z theme! You have a new follower and a great blog. Excellent "A" entry...I am looking forward to reading more from you.
ReplyDeleteKilling someone at dinner with a baseball bat is improper etiquette.
ReplyDeleteGreat start to your Challenge.
Lee
Places I Remember
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
Wow. Creepy guy!
ReplyDeleteI've been to Kaua'i twice this year. It's so handy having a daughter and her family live there. lol Now if I just had more vacation time!
Thanks for visiting!
ReplyDeleteA is also for Aloha!
I do think fiction tends to romanticise these crooks, but I guess the distance of time does that too.
ReplyDeleteCan't believe so many aren't all that familiar with Capone - or maybe I'm just showing my age! Awesome A post :)
ReplyDeleteMartha, look how many young people don't know the history of JFK.
ReplyDeleteI remember Eliot Ness on the TV program. Yes, I'd agree humanity did Scarface in. Your theme is exciting. Looking forward to B.
ReplyDeletewow! never knew his full name was alphonse. Great start to the A-Z!
ReplyDeleteNutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
All caught up with everyone's blog posts for A is for ...
ReplyDeleteOn to the letter B!
Ironic how it was income taxes not paid that took him down.
ReplyDelete