The Chicago mobsters of the last century continue to fascinate the public. You can take guided bus tours of their neighborhoods and haunts to this day.
Why is it that people want to learn more about old-time gangsters like Al Capone and John Dillinger? I suppose it’s because they had a sense of style and celebrity that ordinary criminals today lack. Plus, they weren’t known for killing civilians just rival gang members and those who wronged them.
There was also the dichotomy of Italian and Irish mobsters being church-going Catholics and yet still committing crimes. Plus, some like Capone gave to the poor and needy. You don’t see inner city gangs today helping widows and orphans.
On a recent trip to Chicago, I visited Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois. It’s the final resting place for many notorious criminals.
I stopped by the graves of Al Capone (Alphonse Capone, 1899-1947), Frank Nitto (aka Frank “The Enforcer” Nitti, 1888-1943), Vincent Gebardi (aka Jack “Machine Gun Jack” McGurn, 1902-1936) and Sam Giancana (1908-1975).
Some “fan” even left a .45-caliber bullet on Machine Gun Jack’s grave.
Also buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery is actor Dennis Farina, 1944-2013).
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