◆ SpookStack

Seseatuat = = Sfrceent ys = 390 was saying, hls eves glistening with pride and alopholle bleer, * We {ook the punks right in their from Capone who had Kitled Joe Howard for interfering the murder, @ general order was figshed te all police wtatlons te ox reat him. But Al Capone was nowhere 19 be found, ang at the inquest the next day the witnesses to the crime were sirjeken with mys ments. Helnie Jacohs thought it over. ‘Then be took the witness stand and testified as follows: “1 was called to a reer room to answer a telephone furt before the shooting. I don't know nothing about it” Runelrbeck quiveringly inslated: “T wouldn't be able to tentity Capone even if brought face to face with him” Bilton could mot be found. ‘Two other possible Witnesses to the Kile ing, sald tp have Deen in Jacobs’ selon at the time, were Tony “Mouth” Bagnole and ona Cilfford Eaton, Roth denied having been there, and no one sould give proot to the eonteary, ‘The inquest indefnitly, and @ month later, when Things had quleted down, Gapone sauntered into the Cottage Grove ¢ station to remark to Captain McMahon: “Thear the police are looking for what fo ee ad bbe questioned by a young assistant state's attorney named William HL. MeSwiguin. Fee wanted for the murder of 0. me?” replied Al with & Puvaled look. “ Why. I'm « respects. ble tuninese man. I'm a second. beast turctinee desler. ‘This was in 1923, after the pork- a Capone alrendy was well nthe cead ly success. How was he able to fix the witnesses that he eould walk into th Of tha piice a few weeks later with: out the slightest fear of taking the rap? What wee hie background ‘What sort of Guii.ing qualified ibis man to win out ever all others ir the frevzie t le $0 oontral te 360,000,000 uyear boottes Lquor busi ness which started with the advent of prohibitian in m city that wae tm hands ¢Tribsot photo.) Alphonse Capone, box criminal, af the height of his car rimer of Johnny Torrie in the beer and booze busi- Seon hit orgenttation was dealing in miltions, First ialory a1 ness was 426, already a quarter to 8, and Al fol Towed an tron: ound rule about going home at 10:30, “yn twe hundred ona carve of straight,” Proposed Al to the confident stleker. “Want to pley + it's a bet.” grinned the other, “How about‘ hundred more on Che fifteen bal?” +0. K," anid Al. ‘The two set to work. The apecta- tore peered excit- edly from adjoin ing atten my OS0°AI hea Az - 50 back and 5150 of the stranger's money--and then he said he ssust 0, as he was due home. The stran. ger war naturally Fesent{u] at being left In ‘this hu- miligting position and demanded that Al remain, but Al put on hig coat and smooth gray hat. Without © word the stranger pulled a Jong-tladed kite from his pocket, opeued If, and gave AL to. Understand he'd play pool or else! Al Gid not hesitate one second. His Tigi! :"" out t the man's chin Witt: all his 200 pounds behind ic The man dropped and lay motion leas. AS tan for hum Twenty minutes ates @ misin formed friend from the poolzoun. Courtroom scene at trlal of Sam Vin Krueger, Vinel, Deputy Sheri Capone's ‘He meant It, and shartly wold his broom for a fob In a caté, He al: ready was learning how te turn his Trlendchips with “ Bathhouse John" and “Hinky Dink” ints = got eaetlaying goose, and in short order he owned his own pooiroom. A year or two later saw young Jim a pre cinct captain with various privileg: ‘appertaining to the old leves district located within the boundaries of the ward and bisecte! by the mlghttit whoopee spots of 224 atreet, Pron, poolroom proprietor he becam+ honkstonk owner. then nartner in (Trivoae photo) cl for the murder of John Minalti. Left to right: William Gallagher, and (standing) Vinci's attorne f certain red-light enterprises. » finally Big Jim of his owa Cole mos café at 7128 South Wabes rane, Eveniustly Big Jim became they acknowledged boss of the south sief underwortd, and his revenue com not only from the resorts he owne Dimself but algo ia the form of tr ute from all other Silegs? resorts | he distriet But wealen brought 1 bot comfort and B Jim was victimized ty \y g a]