The Axeman of New Orleans terrorized a city and got away with it. In the early nineteen hundreds, a serial killer took the lives of multiple New Orleanians. Many thought that the attacks might be the results of Italian gangsters in New Orleans,these gangsters did not usually attack women or children; therefore, it is not probable that the “Axeman” was a part of the mafia. Even though New Orleans had heavy mob activity there is no evidence that the Axeman was associated with this group. The Axeman was not an act of organized crime, but was associated with a small group of criminals in the area known as the mafia. On Thursday, May 23, 1918, the Axeman claimed his first victims. Three of the victims were left severely injured but did not die. …show more content…
In this scenario, the victims could have either been direct targets for organized crime or simply caught in the crossfire between two warring factions of the mob struggling for power. Considering the largely Italian victim base, a more plausible explanation offered is that this was some sort of series of mafia contact killings, perhaps in an attempt to extort the grocer businesses of the area (Swancer, Brent12).” “By the time of the Axeman of New Orleans crime, nineteen-ten to nineteen-nineteen, Italians were in the process of taking over the corner grocery niche in New Orleans (Ferranti, Seth4).” Many Italian immigrants were leaving day labor jobs for small business life, which upset many whites, for multiple different reasons. Italians were taking up the jobs in grocery stores, leaving less jobs for the whites. “Taken as a whole, Warner’s evidence strongly suggests that the entire case was the offset of various internal criminal disputes in the Crescent City and that the murders themselves were either the products of extortion plots or of power struggles within New Orleans’ mafia family (Dash, Mike3).” “This had happened throughout the early nineteen hundreds in the region in fact, with grocers often killed in mafia attacks or as retribution for other attacks and it was not uncommon for these businesses to receive threatening letters or even death threats from the mob (Swancer, Brent12)”. The murders are connected with the dealings of the
The book Murder in the Bayou: Who Killed the Women Known as the Jeff Davis 8?, written by independent journalist and private investigator Ethan Brown, tells the horrific true story of the bayou town of Jennings, Louisiana located in the heart of the Jefferson Davis parish. During the four year duration between 2005 and 2009, the town of Jennings was on edge after the discovery of the bodies of eight murdered women were found in the filthy canals and swamps. The victims became known as the “Jeff Davis 8.” For years, local law enforcement suspected a serial killer, and solely investigated the murders based on that theory alone. The victims were murdered in varying manors, but when alive they all shared many commonalities and were connected to
Sandbrook is incorrect to remark that from the moment the Volstead Act came into effect, America’s National gangsters saw it as a business opportunity. This is because the early years of Prohibition were years where enforcement was particularly strict, which made the distribution of alcohol very risky. Yet regardless, by far criminals who had the most to gain were gangsters such as Al Capone, who made $100 million a year from speakeasies and casinos alone. Violence played a large role in organised crimes during the years of Prohibition, with an increase in burglary, theft and battery assaults by a total of 22%. There were also wars between gangsters over each other’s territory, and the most famous act of violence during the years of Prohibition came from Capone’s army of 700 gangsters, who committed over 300 murders in Chicago. Willoughby points out that although organised crime existed in the years before and after Prohibition, it was “albeit on a smaller scale.” This is convincing as the affluence that the twenties created, along with demands for alcohol provided alternative opportunities for organised crime. Arguably, Clements acknowledges that even after the repeal of Prohibition, the wealth that corrupted illegal organisations accumulated made them turn to other areas where they could make a vast amount of profit, such as prostitution, gambling and drugs. Certainly,
In Daniel McDonough’s, Chicago Press Treatment of the Gangster, 1924-1931, the newspapers views and actions towards the gangsters crimes and punishments are analyzed. The gangster related crime began to increase during the time period between 1924 and 1931 and the newspapers covered every story. There were four main newspapers during the time putting their views on the gangster related crimes and these were the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Evening Post, Chicago Herald and Examiner, and Chicago Daily News. Gangsters started becoming a major problem because they would commit crimes but never be accounted for them. The Chicago Tribune wrote “It is impossible to hang them when they commit murder. It is next to impossible even to get them into the penitentiary, and it is quite impossible to keep them there (p. 18).”
Timothy Gilfoyle main argument from the excerpt of the book “A pickpocket’s tale” was about the political corruption, and the political influence that many gangsters of the late 19th century, and early 20th century had, as well as the overall role that gangs played in society. During the late 1800’s, and early 1900’s many gangsters had political connection, and because of this were able to get away with breaking the law without having to face any consequences (Gilfoyle, T., Chapter 9 pg.12, 13 &14). One example was Gould, who despite running an illegal bar (dive), threating a women to blow her brains out, assaulting a bartender and leaving him all bloody, never faced any charges against him, because of his political connections in New York in the late 1800’s (Gilfoyle, T., Chapter 9 pg.12). Gangster’s, and politicians had a strong connection in the late 19th
Al Capone’s family came with a wave of other Italian immigrants that migrated to the United States in the 1800’s. Most immigrants in that time were living in poverty and in very urban areas. Capone’s family lived in the heart of Brooklyn, but his father was a successful barber which allowed them a slightly better lifestyle than most. Al Capone was the fourth of nine children and grew up with a very tight-knit Italian family who were trying to succeed in their new country”. Capone attended public school in the city and had a natural brightness by keeping a “B average” despite playing hooky on many occasions. The sixth grade showcased Capone’s short temper when he hit a female teacher who was lecturing him. This incident reveals the beginning of who Al Capone would come to be. After being suspended for his violence, he never officially furthered his education. He began his life of crime by joining the kid gangs that existed all over Brooklyn. These “gangs” were nothing more than children being hoodlums and participating in petty crimes, although they would be the ...
When horrific crimes occur in large cities, many of them can be chalked up to gang violence or to the larger population of that specific city. But when horrific crimes happen in small cities like Lincoln, Nebraska, people begin to ask questions like who did this and why. In 1958, a nineteen year old man named Charles Starkweather put the entire state of Nebraska and possibly the entire nation in a state of terror. With his murder spree taking only three days, Starkweather had collected a body count of ten bodies, including two teenagers and a young child. Understanding Starkweather’s past and state of mind begins to answer the second question of why.
South, David. The History of Organized Crime: Secrets of The World’s Most Notorious Gangs. New York: Metro Books, 2013. Print.
To begin with, anybody privy to the events in New Orleans that ensued after Hurricane Katrina struck knows that horrible things that had nothing to do with natural causes happened: there were murders, gunfire directed at a rescue helicopter, assaults and, courtesy of New Orleans’ city police department, a myriad other crimes that most probably went unreported (Katrinacoverage.com).
The town of Halifax in West Yorkshire had never experienced such a manhunt in it’s history (Glover 3). During a short, but long lasting in feeling, time period in late November through early December in the year 1938, the town of Halifax underwent a period of mass hysteria. A mysterious “slasher” hid in the shadows and lunged out with a razor blade at people who passed by (Halifax Slasher).
The Chicago World Fair brought about through the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus landing in America has posed significant value and worth to the city of Chicago. Over a six-month period, more than 26 million visitors from all over the world would flock to the fairgrounds to experience the rebuilt and vibrant city of Chicago. The 600-acre fairground would have housed 200 buildings that showcased new food, art, technology, and entertainment. Chicago became known as the White City, a place of freedom, grandeur, and security. But unbeknownst to fairgoers, there was a serial killer among them. While Dr. H.H. Holmes lured his innocent victims to his “Castle”, just blocks away architect Daniel Burnham built up the dream city of Chicago. Both these men operated at the same time in history, simply blocks apart, both creating legacies that carry to this day. Burnham and Holmes are two side of the coin of human nature. In “The Devil in White City” Erik Larson’s juxtaposition of Burnham and Holmes, and the Black City and the White City, contributes to the understanding of human nature, that one cannot be good without having done evil, and that good and evil are viewed as complementary in their mutual dependence.
Dean O’Banion was amongst those who were getting wealthy by bootlegging alcohol. He was the leader of the North Side Gang, a group of mostly Irish gangsters, the gang Bugs Moran would be in control of later in his life. However, O’Banion wasn’t alone in Chicago. Johnny Torrio, and his right side man Al ‘Scarface’ Capone, had moved to the South Side of Chicago. They would be Bugs Moran’s bi...
In the roaring twenties, the life of organized crimes was at its peak. What was the greatest mob hit ever pulled off in history? Well I'll tell you. It all happened on Valentines Day, the morning of February 14th, 1929. This incident was call, "The St. Valentines Day Massacre". The man behind this infamous crime was none other than, the infamous Al "Scarface" Capone. Al Capone was the all time greatest mobster of all time. The idea of organized crime fascinates me in so many ways. Capone was the only person to have pulled off such a crime. Al Capone was top gangster in Chicago and was one of the greatest members of the Italian Mafia and George "Bugs" Moran was the leader of the Irish/German mafia and he was the main target behind this hit. He targeted Capone because Al Capones had a bounty on his head, $60,000,000, and found George Moran as a threat. George was Capone's biggest threat of all. He needed to take him out quickly. (Al Capone, True Crime Story). Writing this paper will let me learn a lot more about this massacre. There is one question I would like answered, "Why hadn't Moran's crew made an attempt to fight back?" (Al Capone, True Crime Story). Moran's men had a long history of being violent with others. This is one question that we will never know. My most used source on this essay will be internet information and a book. I feel these sources will give me the most amount of information. Using a magazine will too but it was very hard to find a 20's magazine article.
The immigrants had to create work for themselves because they were discriminated against and faced poverty once again. They were restricted certain privileges because of their nationality. Sometimes violence struck out against Italians. Additionally, many American citizens feared that the immigrants would take away their jobs during the trade union movement because “the European immigrants would be willing to work for just about any amount of money” (The Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute). Italians were viewed as childlike, criminals, or subhumans through drawing and songs. In 1891, one of the most gruesome situations took place in New Orleans. The chief of police was found slaughtered to death on the street, the mayor blamed “Sicilian gangsters” and rounded up more than 100 Sicilian Americans. Eventually, they were found not guilty as a result of a lack of evidence. Then, a mob of 10,000 people, broke into the jail, and lynched the Italians. Italians worldwide were outraged, but the U.S. press approved of the action. That day in history was notorious for the largest single mass lynching in U.S.
The term “gangster” or “mobster” was coined in the early 1900’s. At that time it was used to denote back alley thugs who used strong arm tactics to steal from or swindle individuals unlucky enough to come within their grasp. Far from the romanticized image they carry today, gangsters of the early 1900’s were regarded as crooks and felons, the scum of society that would never rise above alley way robberies. Then came the Prohibition. The way Billy Sunday described it reflect...
This made people think that he was a professional or someone that was very structured and prepared for the murders, which devised the theory that the Mafia was responsible. Due to the growing population of Italian immigrants also meant that the Mafia (Italian mob) population was inflating as well. These attacks and murders were so well committed, the police had to consider them as the likely culprits. They believe that as the mafia increased, the vendettas and problems would also grow in the community. However, according to the article, “The Axeman of New Orleans” by Medial Bag, “Authorities reportedly dismissed Mafia ties due to the nature of some of the killings. At the time, authorities said Mafia killers would not harm women.” Investigators believed that the axeman was a sadist that only hurt or killed men if they obstructed his ability to kill or injure women. The axeman appeared enrage at women that gave the investigators some more insight into the personality of the murderer, frustratingly that information didn’t end with the killer being