Volume 18 , Issue 14

Walking With Sweet Silly Sadie

Who was this alleged gangster, Al Capone? How did he get the nickname of "Scarface?" These are just some of the questions we will try to answer this week via news article in The San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, CA, dated 29 August 1928, Wednesday, page 3: "New York Police Wonder Why Al Capone Escapes Gangsters, Find Reason in Lore of Street" and "How Gang Chief Spared Youth Who Scarred Him for Life Is Learned by Detectives," written by Lemuel F. Parton (Special to The Sun).

Found on Newspapers.com

New York, Aug. 28 (1928) -- New York police, reviewing the past of Al Capone, with something of the same intensity which the major political parties were considering farm relief, had discovered an apparent explanation of the strange immunity of Mr. Capone in the midst of perils which had removed so many of his friends and social acquaintances. This inquiry had to do with the possibility of the extradition of Mr. Capone fromChicago to New York.

Al Capone had for many years borne on his face a long, deep scar - gangland's official brand of the "squealer." Italian gangsters, particularly certify indiscretion or disloyalty by a deep gash on the face or forehead - an enduring label and a warning that here was a man not to be trusted in any dangerous or illicit enterprise.

Chivalrous Action Of Capone Recalled
How had Mr. Capone been able to attain his singular eminence in his profession, although bearing this brand of treachery? Why are his headquarters at the hotel Metropole in Chicago left exposed to a loft across the street, where one could easily plant a machine gun? Why is Mr. Capone still extant when Joseph De Amateo, Frankie Yale and Peg-leg Lonergan were gone? Is he, perhaps like Emperor Jones, awaiting a silver bullet?

Near Fourth avenue and Twentieth street in South Brooklyn, the answer had been found. This was Al Capone's boyhood home and there had been preserved the story which explained to a large degree not only Mr. Capone's continuance in the flesh but the success which has brought him a charming country home at Amityville, and many other rewards and emoluments. It was Mr. Capone's magnanimity in a trying situation years ago which first gave him eminence and shaped his earlier career.

Al Is Slashed by Accusing Youth
A fellow club member of Mr. Capone's, a youth still in his teens, finding himself involved with he law, was informed that it was Mr. Capone who had given information to the police. Social procedure in a situation like this is as rigid as the code duel. The young man leaped upon Mr. Capone and carved on his face with a razor the official hallmark of betrayal.

Members of the house committee standing by waited for Mr. Capone to seize the razor and decapitate the slender youth. Instead Mr. Capone bandaged his wound and quietly withdrew. The next day it was disclosed that the youth had been misinformed and that Al Capone had not "squealed." Even the public opinion among the younger set would have considered reprisals in order, but Mr. Capone made a statesmanlike public utterance.

"The kid got me wrong," he said. "Figuring I had squealed, he naturally wanted to put the mark on me. The kid's all right; forget about it." South Brooklyn gangland was deeply touched by Mr. Capone's chivalrous attitude on what had become a public issue. From then on his following grew and his career began to take shape. Mr. Capone's scar healed into a badge of honor, instead of a mark of disgrace. Around many a cask of good old grape or needle beer, the tale of Al capote's forgiveness of the impetuous youth was told and retold unit it became one of the cherished sagas of gangland.

Set 'Snow Bird' Up In Bootleg Business
There followed other disclosures of humanitarian impulses on the part of Mr. Capone. A friend and assistant of Mr. Capone still living in South Brooklyn told of one instance revealing his estimable qualities.

"Al had a fiend who got to be a snow bird," said this informant. He was all bloody with hop and his family was starving. Al picked him up and sent him to a sanitarium where he was cured. He then gave him $25 a week until he got on his feet. This man now has a nice little bootlegging business, with a little side line of racketing and collecting. His children are all going to school and his family have good clothes and money to spend. He works hard at the booze racket and is making good. He was a bum until Al Capone picked him up and made a decent guy out of him and sent him back to his wife and children."
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