
The North Side Gang: The History and Legacy of the Organized Crime Mob That Fought Al Capone for Control of Chicago
*Includes pictures*Includes online resources and a bibliography for further reading“I hope, when my time comes, that I die decently in bed. I don’t want to be murdered beside the garbage cans in some Chicago alley.” – Bugs Moran20th century Chicago was an ideal breeding ground for organized crime. A buzzing circuit board dotted with towering skyscrapers, brick buildings, worker's cottages, and an eclectic collection of greystone manors, the Windy City was further decked out with electric entertainment districts, the theaters, clubs, brothels, restaurants, and niteries that lined its streets. The city was illuminated by dazzling marquees and light-up signage, and enlivened by the muffled medley of midnight chatter and big band music seeping out of the nightspots. Those who ambled along the boardwalks flanking the Chicago River were greeted by moored commercial fishing boats bobbing in the water, as well as bustling stalls stocked with trout, salmon, and rainbow smelt.The rise of Chicago