History of Al Capone in Timeline
"Alphonse Gabriel Capone, widely recognized by his moniker "Scarface," was a prominent American gangster and businessman. He gained infamy during the Prohibition era as the co-founder and leader of the notorious Chicago Outfit. Capone's dominance over organized crime in Chicago spanned seven years, ultimately ending with his imprisonment at the age of 33."
1916: Start of Semi-Professional Baseball Career
In 1916, a young Al Capone began his semi-professional baseball career, showcasing his athletic abilities during this period.
December 30, 1918: Marriage to Mae Josephine Coughlin
On December 30, 1918, a 19-year-old Al Capone married Mae Josephine Coughlin, an Irish Catholic woman who had given birth to their son earlier that month.
1918: End of Semi-Professional Baseball Career
Al Capone's time playing semi-professional baseball came to a close in 1918. He had taken on odd jobs after being expelled from school for hitting a teacher.
1919: Move to Chicago and Early Criminal Activities
In 1919, Al Capone relocated to Chicago at the invitation of Johnny Torrio, marking the beginning of his notorious criminal career in the city. He started as a brothel bouncer, where he is suspected of contracting syphilis.
May 11, 1920: James Colosimo's Murder and Torrio's Rise
James "Big Jim" Colosimo, a crime boss, was murdered on May 11, 1920, an event in which Capone was suspected to have been involved. This led to Johnny Torrio, Capone's mentor, taking control of Colosimo's criminal empire.
1920: Gabriele Capone's Death
In 1920, Gabriele Capone, Al Capone's father and a barber by profession, passed away.
May 7, 1923: Joe Howard's Murder
Joe Howard, a hijacker, was killed on May 7, 1923, after allegedly trying to interfere with the bootlegging operations run by Capone and Torrio, highlighting the escalating violence within Chicago's criminal underworld.
1923: Purchase of a House in Chicago
Al Capone purchased a house in Chicago's South Side for $5,500 in 1923, establishing a more permanent presence in the city where his criminal activities were gaining momentum.
April 1, 1924: Frank Capone's Death
On April 1, 1924, Frank Capone, Al Capone's brother, died. Frank had been involved in their criminal enterprise until his death.
November 10, 1924: Assassination of Dean O'Banion
Dean O'Banion, leader of the North Side Gang, was murdered on November 10, 1924, in his flower shop. Orchestrated by Johnny Torrio, the assassination ignited a violent gang war with the North Siders, seeking revenge for their leader's death.
January 1925: Assassination Attempt on Torrio and Capone's Consolidation of Power
In January 1925, following an attempt on his life that left him injured, Johnny Torrio relinquished control of the Chicago Outfit to Al Capone. This solidified Capone's power and marked a period of increased violence as he sought to expand his criminal enterprise.
November 1925: Antonio Lombardo and the Unione Siciliana
In November 1925, Capone orchestrated Antonio Lombardo's appointment as the head of the Unione Siciliana, a Sicilian-American benevolent society. This move angered Joe Aiello, igniting a feud between Aiello and Capone, and demonstrating Capone's influence reaching beyond Chicago's criminal underworld.
1925: Rise to Notoriety
From 1925, shortly after his move to Chicago, Capone's notoriety began to rise.
September 20, 1926: Attack on the Hawthorne Inn
On September 20, 1926, the North Side Gang launched an attack on the Hawthorne Inn, Capone's headquarters, in an attempt to kill him. Although Capone escaped unharmed, the event underscored the ongoing gang rivalry and his vulnerability despite his power.
1926: Murder of William H. McSwiggin
In 1926, Assistant State Attorney William H. McSwiggin was murdered. This event was later linked to Capone in a 1929 report by The New York Times.
January 1927: Kidnapping and Murder of Hawthorne Inn Owner
In January 1927, the owner of the Hawthorne Inn, a friend of Capone, was kidnapped and murdered by Moran and Drucci of the North Side Gang, illustrating the brutal and retaliatory nature of the gang war.
May 28, 1927: Aiello's Failed Assassination Attempt on Capone
On May 28, 1927, Joe Aiello, a Capone enemy, attempted to assassinate Capone and Lombardo by offering a chef at Capone's favorite restaurant money to poison their soup. The chef exposed the plot to Capone, who retaliated by having Aiello's bakery destroyed with machine-gun fire, injuring Aiello's brother.
November 1927: Aiello's Ambushes and Arrest
In November 1927, Aiello planned machine-gun ambushes targeting Lombardo and Capone, but an anonymous tip foiled his plans. Police raids led to the arrest of Aiello's gunmen, including Angelo La Mantio, who confessed to the plot. Capone's men surrounded the police station, but Aiello was given a police escort to safety upon release. Aiello later disappeared.
1927: Thompson's Mayoral Victory and Capone's Influence
In 1927, William Hale Thompson, the Republican mayoral candidate, won the election, campaigning against Prohibition enforcement. Capone's alleged financial contributions and influence were believed to have played a significant role in Thompson's victory.
1927: Supreme Court Ruling on Tax Evasion
In 1927, the Supreme Court ruled in the United States v. Sullivan case, establishing the legality of charging wealthy individuals with tax evasion based on their lavish lifestyles, as illegally obtained income was still subject to income tax.
1927: Aiello's Bounty on Capone
Throughout 1927, Aiello hired numerous hitmen to kill Capone, offering a $50,000 reward. However, Capone's network and retaliation led to the deaths of many hitmen, including Anthony Russo and Vincent Spicuzza. Even Capone's ally, Ralph Sheldon, attempted to claim the bounty but was shot and survived.
April 10, 1928: The Pineapple Primary Bombings
During the "Pineapple Primary" on April 10, 1928, James Belcastro, a Capone bomber, targeted voting booths supporting Thompson's opponents, resulting in at least fifteen deaths. Belcastro was accused of murdering lawyer Octavius Granady, who challenged Thompson's candidate. Though charged, all charges were dropped after witnesses recanted.
1928: Admission of Income
In 1928, Al Capone, attempting to avoid tax evasion charges like his brother Ralph, instructed his lawyer to rectify his tax situation. During this process, his lawyer admitted to Capone having a substantial taxable income, a crucial piece of evidence for the government.
1928: Murders of Ben Newmark and Frankie Yale
In 1928, chief investigator Ben Newmark and Capone's former mentor, Frankie Yale, were murdered. These murders were later linked to Capone in a 1929 report by The New York Times.
February 14, 1929: The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre and its Aftermath
On February 14, 1929, the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre occurred. Capone's men, disguised as police officers, lined up seven victims at Moran's headquarters and executed them. Moran escaped. The event shocked the public and tarnished Capone's reputation. He was summoned for a grand jury but claimed illness. In an attempt to improve his image, Capone donated to charities and a soup kitchen.
March 19, 1929: Meeting with President Hoover
On March 19, 1929, following the St. Valentine's Day Massacre, Chicago Daily News publisher Walter A. Strong met with President Hoover to request federal intervention against Chicago's rampant lawlessness orchestrated by Capone.
March 27, 1929: Arrest for Contempt of Court
On March 27, 1929, Capone was arrested by FBI agents for feigning illness to skip a grand jury appearance regarding prohibition law violations.
May 1929: The Murders of Anselmi, Scalise, and Giunta
In May 1929, Capone discovered a plot by three of his men, Albert Anselmi, John Scalise, and Joseph Giunta, to overthrow him, allegedly instigated by Aiello. Capone, according to some accounts, personally beat the men with a bat before ordering their execution. While the details of the event are debated, it highlights Capone's ruthlessness and the dangerous nature of his organization.
May 16, 1929: Arrest for Carrying a Concealed Weapon
On May 16, 1929, Capone was apprehended in Philadelphia for carrying a concealed weapon.
May 17, 1929: Indictment and Trial
On May 17, 1929, Capone was indicted by a grand jury and subsequently stood trial in Philadelphia.
August 8, 1929: Imprisonment
Capone was incarcerated and transferred to Philadelphia's Eastern State Penitentiary on August 8, 1929, to serve a one-year sentence.
1929: Peak of Notoriety
By 1929, Capone had solidified his image in the media and achieved a level of notoriety that made him a subject of public fascination, becoming the most infamous mobster in the country.
1929: Capone Linked to Past Murders
In 1929, The New York Times connected Capone to the murders of Assistant State Attorney William H. McSwiggin in 1926, chief investigator Ben Newmark, and former mentor Frankie Yale, both in 1928.
1929: Admission of Income
Similar to 1928, Capone's lawyer admitted to a significant taxable income for 1929 while trying to regularize Capone's tax situation, unknowingly providing further incriminating evidence for future prosecution.
1929: The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre
The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre took place in 1929. Although Capone was in Florida at the time, he was widely believed to have ordered the massacre, which targeted Bugs Moran, leader of the North Side Gang. The motive was suspected to be the hijacking of Capone's illegally imported whisky.
February 1930: Connection to Rosenheim's Murder
In February 1930, Capone's criminal organization was implicated in the killing of Julius Rosenheim, who had a two-decade history as a police informant within the Chicago Outfit.
March 1930: Public Enemy No.1
In March 1930, a week after Capone was released from prison, the Chicago Crime Commission officially designated him as "Public Enemy" number one.
April 1930: Arrest for Vagrancy in Miami
In April 1930, while visiting Miami Beach, Capone was apprehended on charges of vagrancy under the order of the governor who sought to expel him from the state.
1930: Admissibility of the 1930 Letter
During the trial, the court allowed a 1930 letter, in which Capone's lawyer admitted to Capone's substantial income, to be admitted as evidence, overruling objections from the defense.
1930: Ralph Capone's Tax Evasion Trial
In 1930, Ralph Capone, Al Capone's brother, faced trial and was convicted of tax evasion, resulting in an 18-month prison sentence. This event prompted Al Capone to attempt to rectify his own tax situation.
1930: Aiello's attempted murder
In 1930, after learning of Aiello's plots against him, Capone ordered his men to track Aiello down and eliminate him. Though initially unsuccessful, they eventually found Aiello in Chicago on October 23. As Aiello left his building, Capone's gunmen opened fire, shooting him at least 13 times and killing him.
February 1931: Trial for Contempt of Court
In February 1931, Capone faced trial for the previous charge of contempt of court. Despite being sentenced to six months, he remained free pending appeal.
March 13, 1931: Charges of Income Tax Evasion
On March 13, 1931, Capone was officially charged with income tax evasion for the year 1924, stemming from a secret grand jury investigation.
April 6, 1931: Cermak's Mayoral Victory
On April 6, 1931, Anton J. Cermak won the mayoral election. Public disapproval of Thompson's association with Capone, fueled by the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre, contributed to his defeat.
June 5, 1931: Indictment for Tax Evasion and Volstead Act Violations
On June 5, 1931, Capone was indicted on 22 counts of income tax evasion spanning from 1925 to 1929. He also faced charges on 5,000 violations of the Volstead Act. He was released on a $50,000 bail.
June 16, 1931: Guilty Plea and Plea Bargain
On June 16, 1931, Capone entered a guilty plea to income tax evasion and the numerous Volstead Act violations, hoping to secure a plea bargain for a reduced sentence of 2.5 years.
July 30, 1931: Plea Bargain Rejection
On July 30, 1931, the court rejected the previously agreed upon plea bargain, leading to Capone's counsel retracting the guilty pleas. The trial continued.
October 17, 1931: Conviction and Sentencing
On October 17, 1931, the court found Capone guilty of five counts of income tax evasion. A week later, he received an 11-year federal prison sentence, a $50,000 fine, $7,692 in court costs, and was held accountable for $215,000 plus interest in back taxes. His contempt of court sentence was to be served concurrently.
1931: Conviction and Imprisonment
Al Capone's reign as a crime boss came to an end in 1931 when he was convicted on five counts of tax evasion. This highly publicized case resulted in an eleven-year federal prison sentence for Capone, marking a significant victory for law enforcement against organized crime.
1931: Belcastro Shooting and Police Attitude
In 1931, James Belcastro, the bomber associated with Capone, was wounded in a shooting. Interestingly, police suggested that Belcastro was an independent operator, highlighting their stance towards Capone's organization.
1931: Walter Noble Burns' Book
In 1931, author Walter Noble Burns published "The One-way Ride: The red trail of Chicago gangland from prohibition to Jake Lingle", which some believe was the first account of the story of Capone beating his men before their murders. However, earlier versions of the story have been found in press coverage shortly after the event.
March 1932: Frank Nitti Takes Over
Following Capone's imprisonment, his underboss, Frank Nitti, assumed leadership of the Outfit after his release from prison in March 1932, also due to tax evasion charges.
May 1932: Imprisonment at Atlanta U.S. Penitentiary
In May 1932, at the age of 33, Capone was incarcerated at Atlanta U.S. Penitentiary. Upon arrival, he was diagnosed with syphilis, gonorrhea and experienced withdrawal symptoms from cocaine addiction.
1932: Ralph Capone's Imprisonment
Ralph Capone, Al Capone's brother who managed both legal and illegal bottling companies for the Chicago Outfit, was imprisoned in 1932 for tax evasion.
August 1934: Transfer to Alcatraz
In August 1934, due to suspicions of receiving special treatment in Atlanta, Capone was transferred to the recently opened Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary.
June 23, 1936: Stabbing at Alcatraz
On June 23, 1936, while serving his sentence in Alcatraz, Capone was stabbed and superficially wounded by another inmate named James C. Lucas.
February 1938: Diagnosis of Syphilis of the Brain
In February 1938, Capone's mental decline became more apparent, and he received a formal diagnosis of syphilis of the brain.
January 6, 1939: Transfer to Terminal Island
On January 6, 1939, Capone completed his sentence in Alcatraz and was moved to the Federal Correctional Institution at Terminal Island, California, for his contempt of court sentence.
November 16, 1939: Release from Prison
On November 16, 1939, due to his declining mental health caused by neurosyphilis, Capone was released from prison on parole following an appeal by his wife, Mae.
1939: Possible Involvement in Edward J. O'Hare's Murder
Some historians speculate that Capone orchestrated the murder of Edward J. O'Hare in 1939, just a week before his own release, as revenge for O'Hare's role in his tax evasion conviction, although other theories exist.
March 20, 1940: Transfer to Palm Island
On March 20, 1940, after spending a few weeks receiving inpatient and outpatient care at Baltimore's Union Memorial Hospital, a very ill Capone left for his Palm Island, Florida mansion.
1942: Penicillin Treatment
In 1942, with the advent of mass-produced penicillin in the United States, Capone became one of the earliest American recipients of this new treatment, which slowed down the progression of syphilis but couldn't reverse the existing brain damage.
1946: Mental Deterioration
In 1946, a medical examination by his physician and a psychiatrist from Baltimore revealed that Capone's mental capacity had regressed to that of a 12-year-old child.
January 21, 1947: Stroke and Deterioration
On January 21, 1947, Capone suffered a stroke. While he regained consciousness and showed initial signs of improvement, he later developed bronchopneumonia and his condition worsened.
January 25, 1947: Al Capone's Death
On January 25, 1947, Al Capone died of cardiac arrest after suffering a stroke. This marked the end of the life of the infamous gangster who had terrorized Chicago during the Prohibition era.
1947: Death After Release
After serving almost eight years of his sentence, Al Capone, whose health had been declining due to neurosyphilis, was released from prison. He died in 1947 due to a stroke followed by cardiac arrest.
1950: Reburial at Mount Carmel Cemetery
In 1950, Capone's remains, along with those of his father, Gabriele, and brother, Frank, were relocated to Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.
1952: Hoover's Memoir Publication
In 1952, former President Hoover published his memoir, detailing his encounter with Walter A. Strong where Strong urged for federal intervention to curb Capone's criminal activities in Chicago.
1952: Teresa Capone's Death
Teresa Capone, Al Capone's mother and a seamstress, passed away in 1952. She and her husband, Gabriele, were Italian immigrants who had come to the United States in 1893.
1987: The Untouchables Film
The 1987 film "The Untouchables" depicts a scene where Capone beats his men with a baseball bat before having them killed. This depiction, while dramatized, reflects a story that circulated about the event.
2004: Death of Al Capone's Son
Albert Francis "Sonny" Capone, Al Capone's son, passed away in 2004.
