Chicago Assassin: The Life and Legend of "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn and the Chicago Beer Wars of the "Roaring Twenties"

by Richard J. Shmelter

Overview

The city of Chicago led the nation when it came to gangland violence during the Prohibition era. As a result, many infamous, unforgettable personalities became a part of America's criminal history.

Chicago Assassin is the story of "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn, one of the people responsible for putting much of the roar into the Roaring Twenties. His family immigrated to Chicago from Sicily in 1906, as he grew up in the city's slums and later took up boxing as "Battling" Jack McGurn.

After avenging his father's death by killing the three hit men responsible, he came to the attention of Al Capone, who invited him into his organization, known as the Chicago Outfit. There he rose to power and was one of the most feared members Capone's organizations, with more than twenty-five known kills for the mob. "Battling" Jack McGurn became so adept with the Thompson submachine gun that he quickly became known as "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781581826180
Publisher:	TURNER PUB CO
Publication date:	04/01/2008
Pages:	282
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Richard J. Shmelter is a writer and researcher who specializes in sports history and American crime from the 1890s to the 1940s, especially the Prohibition Era. Chicago Assassin is his second book, his first being The Browns: Cleveland's Team. He lives in Sagamore Hills, Ohio.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     9
Introduction     13
Innocence Interrupted     19
Innocence Lost     23
"Noble Experiment," Life-changing Decision     31
Chicago's Underworld Rises     41
Terrific Timing; Terrible Tool     55
Gunning for Gennas, Amatuna Gets the Hook     61
"Joe Batters" and "Momo"     71
Vengeance, Conflict, Exodus     75
Capone vs. Weiss-Round One     85
Capone vs. Weiss-Knockout Blow     91
On Top of the World     103
Aiello Threatens the Empire     111
The Joker     123
McGurn Has the Last Laugh     131
Close Calls     139
Jack Meets Louise, Frankie Meets His Maker     147
Return to Chicago, Unrest in the Unione     155
Violent Valentine     161
Aftermath of Carnage     173
The "Blond Alibi"     183
The Walls Begin to Crumble     191
The Empire Descends     203
Wedding Bells, Al Goes Away     215
Vindication, Alienation     223
The Comet Vanishes     231
Whatever Became of...?     241
Notes     253
Bibliography     273
Index     275