True American Gangsters

"This American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you will, gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it." -Al Capone

     When someone says the phrase "American Gangsters" what is the first thing that comes to your mind? For most people their first vision is of someone who is ruthless, violent, and dangerous. Because of this alone, many refer to themselves as a gangster or want to be associated with the title of being a gangster. True American gangsters like Al Capone, Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd, John Dillinger, Frank Lucas, Stanley "Tookie" Williams, and many others became world-wide known names because of this vision as well but also because of their determination and ambition.

     What really makes these true American gangsters different from "gangsters of today?" True American gangsters unlike these "so called" gangsters of today again had great determination and ambition that was sought out by many. Contrary to one perspective of what a gangster is, we cannot overlook their willpower and drive, although tragically mishandled for their own purposes. It is often that same determination that differentiates our "Greats" of today like Oprah, Steve Jobs, and Warren Buffett, but their determination and ambition has won many over because of their passion to bring only good to others. Unlike the gangsters of the past and present who most likely seek out to do bad things with that willpower and motivation.

     Al Capone is one the most famous American gangster's to date. Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1899; he quit school just after the sixth grade and became involved with a gang. With gang members Johnny Torrio and Lucky Luciano, Capone moved to Chicago to start selling beer and liquor that was made illegal during the Prohibition Amendment. They also became involved in legitimate businesses. Capone later took over the boss title from Johnny Torrio in 1925 after Torrio was badly wounded in an assassination attempt. By this time Capone had the reputation of being very ruthless and violent. Capone's mob took part in the famous St. Valentine's Day Massacre on February 14, 1929. Capone was sent to jail twice on charges of carrying concealed deadly weapons and contempt of the court but later released on good behavior. While this was going on the U.S. Treasury Department was developing charges against Al Capone for tax evasion. On June 16, 1931, Capone pleads guilty to the charges of tax evasion and prohibition charges. On October 18, 1931, Capone was convicted and on November 24, was sentenced to 11 years in a federal prison, fined $50,000 and charged $7,692 for court cost plus the $215,000 interest due on back taxes. Capone served his time at Alcatraz which at the time was considered one of the worse prisons in America. After contacting syphilis he developed paresis and had deteriorated during his time in prison. After he was released he went into a Baltimore hospital for brain treatment. He never publicly returned to the spot light and became mentally incapable and doctors said that he had the mentality of a 12-year-old child. Capone later resided in Florida with his wife until his death due to pneumonia and a stroke at the age of 48 on January 25, 1947. 

     Charles "Pretty Boy" Floyd was born February 3, 1904 in rural Bartow County, GA and was the fourth of eight children in farming family. In 1911 his family moved to Oklahoma. Floyd was known as one of the most notorious bank robbers of his time. In 1922 he was caught trying to rob a post office. After just barely getting away with that crime he tried to rob many grocery stores and gas stations because they were easy to rob and get away.  On September 11, 1925 Floyd got away with $11,000 from a Kroger store. Floyd became linked to the Kansas City Massacre after him and his partner opened fire on a railway station killing four men. Both men fled to New York after the massacre. Floyd surfaced again with Public Enemy No. 1, John Dillinger. On June 30, 1934 when the two robbed a South Bend, Indiana bank where both men escaped killing a police officer. Three weeks later John Dillinger was shot and killed in Chicago by FBI agents. After Dillinger's death Floyd became Public Enemy No. 1. On October 22, 1934, FBI agents caught up with Floyd at Conkle Farm in Ohio and he was shot and killed when he tried to escape into a nearby forest.  

     Even though both of these men made bad choices they had the determination and fight to get what they wanted, and in so, did. These two men were very intelligent individuals and knew how to become the best at what they did. Just like in the movies Scarface and American Gangster those men came from nothing to having it all. Now, no one is saying go out and rob a bank or kill people but what we can learn from these men is the determination and ambition that they all possessed. The greatest lesson is that you can have it all when you use your determination as a tool for the betterment of all.