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Al Capone: A life of crime

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A young Al Capone is in Criminal Court for beer running under the alias Al Brown in an undated photo.
Chicago Tribune historical photo
A young Al Capone is in Criminal Court for beer running under the alias Al Brown in an undated photo.

National News |
Al Capone: A life of crime

Chicago Tribune
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Al Capone's law enforcement booking photo, circa 1930s.
Al Capone’s law enforcement booking photo, circa 1930s.
A young Al Capone is in Criminal Court for beer running under the alias Al Brown in an undated photo.
A young Al Capone is in Criminal Court for beer running under the alias Al Brown in an undated photo.
Al Capone, left, and Ralph Sheldon, right, in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1926 at a roadside bar. This photo was discovered by police in a raid on mob headquarters.
Al Capone, left, and Ralph Sheldon, right, in Tijuana, Mexico, in 1926 at a roadside bar. This photo was discovered by police in a raid on mob headquarters.
Al Capone smiles for the camera during his trial, circa October 1931.
Al Capone smiles for the camera during his trial, circa October 1931.
Al Capone, right, attends the Northwestern vs Notre Dame football game with former Alderman A.J. Prignano, left, in October 1931 at Soldier Field. Capone's morning was spent in federal court in his trial for income tax violation charges.
Al Capone, right, attends the Northwestern vs Notre Dame football game with former Alderman A.J. Prignano, left, in October 1931 at Soldier Field. Capone’s morning was spent in federal court in his trial for income tax violation charges.
An exterior shot of the Hawthorne Hotel in Cicero, the headquarters of Al Capone's gang, just after it was sprayed by machine gun fire from a passing car on Sept. 20, 1926. The North Side gang, then run by mob boss Hymie Weiss and later George 'Bugs' Moran after Weiss was gunned down, was trying to scare Capone and his men. North Side gangster brothers Peter and Frank Gusenberg were said to have taken part in the Hawthorne Hotel shooting. Capone would get the upper hand on Feb. 14, 1929 when six of the Moran gang, including the Gusenberg brothers, were lined up against a garage wall and pummeled with bullets in what is now called the St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
An exterior shot of the Hawthorne Hotel in Cicero, the headquarters of Al Capone’s gang, just after it was sprayed by machine gun fire from a passing car on Sept. 20, 1926. The North Side gang, then run by mob boss Hymie Weiss and later George ‘Bugs’ Moran after Weiss was gunned down, was trying to scare Capone and his men. North Side gangster brothers Peter and Frank Gusenberg were said to have taken part in the Hawthorne Hotel shooting. Capone would get the upper hand on Feb. 14, 1929 when six of the Moran gang, including the Gusenberg brothers, were lined up against a garage wall and pummeled with bullets in what is now called the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre.
Al Capone sits in the back of a car in Chicago in an undated photo.
Al Capone sits in the back of a car in Chicago in an undated photo.
Al Capone in court in an undated photo.
Al Capone in court in an undated photo.
Al Capone, with cigar, and his attorney Michael Ahern arrive at the Chicago Federal Building for Capone's tax evasion trial in October of 1931.
Al Capone, with cigar, and his attorney Michael Ahern arrive at the Chicago
Federal Building for Capone’s tax evasion trial in October of 1931.
Al Capone, center leaning forward, at Comiskey Park, circa 1931.
Al Capone, center leaning forward, at Comiskey Park, circa 1931.
A police car sits outside the home of gang leader Al Capone at 7244 South Prairie Avenue in the Park Manor neighborhood of Chicago, circa February 1930.
A police car sits outside the home of gang leader Al Capone at 7244 South Prairie Avenue in the Park Manor neighborhood of Chicago, circa February 1930.
Al Capone, second from left, in Chicago's criminal courthouse in 1931.
Al Capone, second from left, in Chicago’s criminal courthouse in 1931.
Al Capone in October of 1931.
Al Capone in October of 1931.
A crowd of onlookers wait on Clark Street to catch a glimpse of Al Capone during his trial, circa October 1931.
A crowd of onlookers wait on Clark Street to catch a glimpse of Al Capone during his trial, circa October 1931.
Al Capone leaves the Chicago Federal Building.
Al Capone leaves the Chicago Federal Building.
Al Capone, left, Asst. State Attorney Frank Mast and Bailiff Joe Weinberg in a Chicago Federal Building courtroom in 1931.
Al Capone, left, Asst. State Attorney Frank Mast and Bailiff Joe Weinberg in a Chicago Federal Building courtroom in 1931.
Members of the jury go to lunch during Al Capone's 1931 tax evasion trial.
Members of the jury go to lunch during Al Capone’s 1931 tax evasion trial.
Al Capone, center, in federal court in Chicago during his 1931 tax-evasion trial, with lawyers Michael Ahern, left, and Albert Fink.
Al Capone, center, in federal court in Chicago during his 1931 tax-evasion trial, with lawyers Michael Ahern, left, and Albert Fink.
Al Capone in Chicago in October 1931.
Al Capone in Chicago in October 1931.
Al Capone takes his seat just before court opens. His attorneys, Albert Fink, left, and Michael Ahern, right, did not appear concerned about his arrival at the last minute.
Al Capone takes his seat just before court opens. His attorneys, Albert Fink, left, and Michael Ahern, right, did not appear concerned about his arrival at the last minute.
Crowds gathered at the Chicago Federal Building for Al Capone's trial, circa 1930s.
Crowds gathered at the Chicago Federal Building for Al Capone’s trial, circa 1930s.
Al Capone, left, and First Deputy Commissioner John Stege, circa March 1929.
Al Capone, left, and First Deputy Commissioner John Stege, circa March 1929.
An illustration shows the layout of Al Capone's Miami, Florida estate, circa 1936.
An illustration shows the layout of Al Capone’s Miami, Florida estate, circa 1936.
Al Capone, center, leaves court in Chicago in 1931.
Al Capone, center, leaves court in Chicago in 1931.
Al Capone, left, and Assistant State's Attorney Frank Mast, circa March 1931.
Al Capone, left, and Assistant State’s Attorney Frank Mast, circa March 1931.
Al Capone, right in white hat, in March 1930 in Chicago.
Al Capone, right in white hat, in March 1930 in Chicago.
Al Capone, second from right, in Chicago in an undated photo.
Al Capone, second from right, in Chicago in an undated photo.
Al Capone, center, with his attorney's, Michael Ahern, left, and Albert Frank, as they walked out after court session in Chicago in October 1931.
Al Capone, center, with his attorney’s, Michael Ahern, left, and Albert Frank, as they walked out after court session in Chicago in October 1931.
Al Capone, left, sits next to a fellow prisoner (not related to Capone's case) on board a train en route to Atlanta, Georgia, from Chicago in May 1933. Both were on their way to serve sentences, Capone for income tax evasion and his berth mate for auto theft.
Al Capone, left, sits next to a fellow prisoner (not related to Capone’s case) on board a train en route to Atlanta, Georgia, from Chicago in May 1933. Both were on their way to serve sentences, Capone for income tax evasion and his berth mate for auto theft.
Al Capone's Palm Island villa.
Al Capone’s Palm Island villa.
Al Capone in a bathing suit in Miami, Florida.
Al Capone in a bathing suit in Miami, Florida.
Al Capone and his mother, Teresa, in 1930.
Al Capone and his mother, Teresa, in 1930.
Al Capone's coffin was said to be in this box, center, among other baggage during the trip from Florida to Chicago on Feb. 1, 1947. Capone died at his mansion in Florida on Jan. 25, 1947. The casket was said to be under a ladies name.
Al Capone’s coffin was said to be in this box, center, among other baggage during the trip from Florida to Chicago on Feb. 1, 1947. Capone died at his mansion in Florida on Jan. 25, 1947. The casket was said to be under a ladies name.
The body of Al Capone arrives at I.C. Station (Central Station) in Chicago from Florida on Feb. 1, 1947. Capone died at his Florida mansion on Jan. 25, 1947. The casket was said to be carrying Al Capone under a ladies name as it was brought into Central Station in downtown Chicago, located at the southern end of Grant Park at Roosevelt Road and Michigan Avenue.
The body of Al Capone arrives at I.C. Station (Central Station) in Chicago from Florida on Feb. 1, 1947. Capone died at his Florida mansion on Jan. 25, 1947. The casket was said to be carrying Al Capone under a ladies name as it was brought into Central Station in downtown Chicago, located at the southern end of Grant Park at Roosevelt Road and Michigan Avenue.
A group of men carry the coffin containing the body of Al Capone from the hearse to the grave at Mount Olivet Cemetery on Feb. 4, 1947. A blanket of gardenias topped with a few orchids spread over Capone’s heavy bronze casket. The mourners arrived in 15 limousines and remained in them until it was time for the ceremony. According to the Chicago Tribune, “Capone’s mother Theresa became hysterical as she was led to the grave where she stood with Capone’s wife Mae, his son Albert, and his brothers Ralph and Matt.” Capone had died in Florida on Jan. 25, 1947.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Al Capone’s son, Albert Francis ‘Sonny’ Capone and his wife Diana approached the burial site for Albert’s father from the rear of Mount Olivet Cemetery as they sought to evade the public on Feb. 4, 1947. The prohibition gangster was buried in a simple ceremony during near zero cold weather. A blanket of gardenias topped with a few orchids spread over Capone’s heavy bronze casket. The mourners arrived in 15 limousines and remained in them until it was time for the ceremony. According to the Chicago Tribune, “Capone’s mother Theresa became hysterical as she was led to the grave where she stood with Capone’s wife Mae, his son Albert, and his brothers Ralph and Matt.” Capone had died in Florida on Jan. 25, 1947.
Al Capone’s casket lid lays in the freezing snow on Feb. 4, 1947, at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Chicago. The prohibition gangster was buried in a simple ceremony during near zero cold weather. A blanket of gardenias topped with a few orchids spread over Capone’s heavy bronze casket inscribed with the words, “Rest in Peace.”
Al Capone in an undated photo.
Al Capone in an undated photo.

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