Prohibition: The Noble Experiment That Failed

Source: Northwest Quarterly, Summer/Fall 2019

“Chicago in the 1930’s” – Wikipedia

Source: Wikipedia

 

 

“Shots Meant for Zuta Foe Kill Joe Giovingo As He Talks to Police” 1930

Article and pictures contine below.  Source: Rockford Daily republic August 15, 1930

 

 

 

 

Al Capone – Jan. 1928

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Source:  Rockford Daily Republic January 5, 1928

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Source:  Rockford Daily Republic January 23, 1928

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Source:  Rockford Morning Star January 27, 1928

 

Capone, Al – Convention of Ex-Gunmen Here

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“Al Capone – though we know him under a different name, has been in Rockford many times,” was one startling announcement very casually stated, and ‘He will be here some more!”

Source: Rockford Daily Republic September 7, 1928

 

 

Capone, Al

“Bare Capone Liquor Traffic Here!”

“Alcohol to Chicago via Local Route”

“Davenport Clearing Point for Peru Ring Hooch”

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“Information linking up the operations of a huge $75,000,000 a year Chicago liquor ring, headed by “Scarface Al” Capone and his aides, with Rockford, Davenport Peru and Waukegan was revealed today following the indictment by a federal grand jury in Chicago of ten members of the alleged liquor ring of LaSalle and Peru, Ill.”

“…From Davenport the liquor was re-routed to Chicago by way Rockford and Waukegan, LaRue stated. It then went to Capone warehouses where it was transformed into “Genuine Canadian liquor” and dumped on the Chicago and northern Illinois market at exhorbitant prices.”

“The men indicted are charged with possession of liquor from Jan. 1, 1927 – Jan. 9, 1929, and with conspiracy to violate the national prohibition act.”

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” The indictment recites that the two men were operating two stills, one at 1501 Water St., Peru, and in a warehouse at 1507 Water st.. The stills were said to have made more than 110,000 gallons of alcohol a year.”

“Those indicted are: Frank Urbanowski, Ugo Ferroni, Candino Picili, James T. Green, of Davenport, Iowa, Guilo Bollili, A.J. Commins, Louis and Gaegano Orlandini, Lino Togfini and James Collins of Davenport, IA.”

“LaRue expressed satisfaction over the indictments today and said this was merely the first step in closing up the gigantic bootleg industry he had discovered. He said that LaSalle county officials had shown themselves exceedingly lax in attempting to enforce the prohibition law and had evidently been allowing stills to operate within a stone’s throw of law enforcement headquarters without attempting to arrest the violators.”

Source: Rockford Daily Republic February 1, 1929

Capone, Al – ‘Wild Bill’ remembers the glory days of Al Capone, 1987

“”‘Wild Bill’ remembers the glory days of Al Capone” Register Star 1/18/1987 p1 found in

Rockfordiana – Rockford and Famous People A – G- 2  (Bill Davison)

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Jazz musician, Wild Bill Davison, the 81-year-old cornet player/quipster takes great delight in dispensing bawdy little anecdotes between songs as a respite from the often serious leanings of improvisational jazz.

“Davison was privy to a lot of back door shenanigans during the late 1920’s and early 1930’s when his band played for the king of the gangsters, Al Capone.”  (Article continues)

numerous citations in www.genealogybank.com and also Chicago Tribune Historical Archive

also,

“Cop’s stories will never die”   “He hunted down famous criminals. He protected famous actors. At 107 years old, Edward Ring had experienced his share of adventures.  Funeral today….retired policeman, Hollywood security guard….”  Rockford Register Star December 14, 1992 p 1A  See also Rockfordiana Biography RH – RIZ