The Northsiders

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THE NORTHSIDERS

Many gangs took part during prohibition in the moneymaking schemes of bootlegging.They were The Torrio/Capone outfit,The Gennas, The O' Donnells,Saltis/Mc Erlane ,Sheldon and Touhy. Most were allied with Al Capone's gang. Probably the only real brazen opposition to the Capone mob were the fearless Northside mob.This mob was founded by Dion " Deanie" O'Banion and Samuel "Nails"Morton. Deanie was of irish Descent and Nails was of jewish extraction.Deanie looked up to Nails as he had served in World War 1 and came back as a decorated war hero. Nails was also a good looking chap and great with the ladies. Nails Morton had a run in with some corrupt cops and shot them dead in self defense. He was found not guilty. Below are some of The Northsiders and a description of their characters.

Samuel "Nails" Morton , World War 1 hero and Jewish mobster who befriended Charles "Deanie" O'Banion.Their gang was the nucleus of what was to later be the Northside Mob.He maintained a garage on the West side for his illegal activities.Was partner in O'Banion's flower shop along with William Schofield. Samuel Morton was killed not by gang bullets, but by a horse who threw him off the saddle while riding in Lincoln park on the North side of Chicago.Gang member Louis Alterie supposedly was upset about the death enough to go back and rent the same horse to shoot it in the head.He called the owner and told him"We taught that son of a bitch horse of yours a lesson".(Although not proven).

Dean "Deanie O'Banion

First truly Northside gangleader with high placed people in his pockets.

Was never called Dion as most people refer that he was.He was a devoted husband and churchgoer. He had been a choirboy at Holy Name Cathederal and a singing waiter at Mcgovern's tavern also known as the Liberty Inn. Had a limp due to trolley incident as a boy.Was killed in his flower shop by Torrio/Capone faction.He was a mild tempered caring gangleader as opposed to many made up stories about him being hot tempered.He was of irish descent, but had no accent as most people believe.

Also did not hate italians as most books portray him to.As a matter of fact it wouldn't be surprising to note that Mr. O'Banion may have indeed spoken some italian himself.

Dean O'Banion killed in his part owned flower shop.

William Schofield

William F.Schofield was a florist in Chicago since 1896 and last operated a flower shop 731 North Dearborn street.He had been partners with Dean O'Banion at 738 North State street.

Schofield died on Tuesday December 2,1947 at 68 years old.He had been ill for some time.

His son Stephen E.Schofield took over the business.William had also another son William Jr. and two daughters.

He also had a brother and two sisters.He is buried at Cavalry cemetary.

Henry Earl J."Hymie' "Weiss

O'Banion successor.Very hot tempered Polish gangster. His mother Mary chose the jewish sounding name to shorten his long one being originally Wajciechowski. He was the only gangster Al Capone really feared. He led a caravan of machinegunners to Capone's headquarters in Cicero in a spectacular drive by shooting raking Capone's hotel with 1000 rounds of .45 slugs and shotgun pellets. He was machinegunned in front of Holy Name Cathederal across the street from O'Banion's flower shop.Died enroute to Henrotin Hospital. Is noted to have invented the phrase "Let's take him for a ride"(kill him in a vehicle and dumping the body).

The Rienzi Hotel, a known Northsider hideout.

Vincent "The Schemer"Drucci ,Victor D' Ambrosio real name Ludovico D'Ambrosio.The Schemer was Hymie Weiss' best friend and was in joint command with Bugs Moran after Hymie was exterminated by Capone red hots (machinegunners or hitmen). Drucci was the only Italian member trusted and accepted by O'Banion.(Shows O'Banion didn't hate italians as most people thought) Drucci was noted for wild shootouts with Capone mobsters in front of the Standard Oil building. He was in on many hits including the one on the Gennas.

Interesting to note that none other than Vincent Drucci was believe it or not in a 1925 pornographic movie in those early days called blue pictures.(Movie was called "Bob's hot story").

Vincent "The Schemer" Drucci in hat and glasses being questioned at the police station.

He was killed in a Detective Squad car by Detective Dan Healy. They were enroute to the bureau for questioning after Drucci was apprehended trying to ransack and threatening an opposing elections office. Some say Dan Healy was on the Capone payroll to rid of opposing mobsters.In fact Healy who hated all gangsters probably had some remarks in the car towards Drucci who at this point probably went ballistic and tried to get to Healy's gun. As the result Healy wrestled his gun off Drucci and shot him to death. He was buried with miltary honors.His wife Cecelia Drucci noted "We sure gave him a swell sendoff".

Drucci was almost probably murdered by Healey who was a gangster hating cop.

Drucci was Weiss' best friend.When Drucci was killed police found a big cache of weapons and a photo of Hymie Weiss in his dwelling.

George Clarence "Bugs" Moran

Real name Adelard Cunin

Mistakenly dubbed as Irish or Polish Moran was in fact French (Father from France and mother French Canadian).Took power after Drucci's demise in Healy's squad car.Very loyal O'Banionite who did prison time for his leader. His hits include the Gennas and almost blowing Johnny Torrio's head off at close range.(pistol was empty). Power began to slowly dwindle after St.Val Massacre in which his mob is wiped out.Had many years left as a power in the underworld sfter massacre contrary to what people say. In his later years he participates with a gang called the "Bookie Gang".They dangerously steal the receipts from Mob coffers in gambling dens in Chicago. Moran is arrested for a previous payroll robbery in Ohio. He is sent to the Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas where he dies of lung cancer in 1957.

George Clarence Moran's signature.

(The Mario Gomes Collection)

Bugs Moran's residence in the 20's and 30's The Parkway Hotel.

The Northside Hotel was also home to Gusenberg's brother Henry and Reinhardt Schwimmer later killed in the Massacre.

Leland Varain (DeVaraigne) also known as Louis "Two Gun" Alterie.Wild west enthusiast gangster.Always carried two six shooters with him at all times. O'Banion's good friend, in fact O'Banion would go relax at Alterie's ranch near Glenwood Springs,Colorado and shoot Tommy guns making their first acquaintances with that firearm.(Frankie McErlane from the Saltis mob was the first to employ the weapon in Chicago in 1925).After O'Banion was killed by Torrio/Capone gunsels ,Alterie publicly challenged the killers to a gunfight on State st.This so infuriated the officials in Chicago that one day Chief of Detectives John Stege who bumped into Alterie in a Restaurant, publicly slapped him for that remark.The members of O'Banion voted to kick Alterie out of the gang.Bugs Moran told him he was making them look bad and that he should high tail it out of town.Had some dealings with the Capone gang which lead some to speculate that Louis was a traitor to the Northside. No evidence shows this as fact, as Moran would have swiftly taken care of him if these rumors had been remotely true.Louis later returned to Chicago in the 30's, but was killed soon after trying to muscle in on his old union haunts. Buried in California.

Julian "Potatoes" Kaufman

bookmaker,gambler.He was the head man at the Sheridan gambling club.He was also the gambling operations of the Northsiders.

He opened many illegal gambling dens on the Northside and found the financing for them. His family was well to do, which may lead us to think that this was more of a hobby for him. He was known as a compulsive gambler himself. Not to be taken lightly, in 1924 Julian attacked two cops in broad daylight.First after almost running them over with his car he then got out of his vehicle at Randolph and Clark streets and began pistol whipping one of the officers.He was placed under arrest.He always like to yell real loud when questioned by police that his constitutional rights were being violated. He died in New York in 1939 of a heart attack.He was 40 years old.

Barney Bertsche was also a Northside gambling associate to Moran.His criminal past dates to 1885.

Theodore"Teddy" Newberry

Northside gangster and bodyguard of Bugs Moran.Public enemy no.2 in 1931.After St.Val Massacre he defects over to the Capone mob.Has hand in the attempted setup slaying of Frank Nitti by two Detectives along with Mayor Cermak (for which Cermak is later assassinated).Ted Newberry is found out by Nitti's organization and killed.His body was found in a ditch alongside an Indiana road on January 7,1933.He still wore a diamond belt buckle given to him by Capone.

William "Willie" Marks

He was the only bodyguard who was with Moran when they spotted fake police car in front of 2122 North Clark street on Feb.14,1929.They immediately turned around and hightailed it thinking it was a raid.

Marks is later killed in the mid 30's.

Leo Mongoven

George "Bugs" Moran bodyguard who survived a one way ride and lived up to the 1980's.He got really pissed off about anyone prying into his gangster past and Moran.

For more info on below gangsters please visit Massacre Victim's Stats

James Clark Killed in Massacre of 1929. Killer hitman for the Moran mob.Often mistaken as Moran's brother in law.

Frankie Gusenberg "Hock" strong arm and killer for the Moran gang.Also killed in Massacre.

Peter "Goosey"Gusenberg

Strong arm and killer along with Brother Frank.

Killed in Massacre.

Al "Gorilla"Weinshenker,Weinshank

Moran cleaners and Dyers associate.Also owner of the Alcazar Club.Was seen at many funerals for the Northsiders such as O'Banion's and Hymie Weiss'. Killed in 1929 Massacre.

Adam Heyer ,John Snyder.

He took care of the Northside mobs financial affairs such as renting premises, trucks, payouts.Very accountant wise.

Killed in massacre.

John May was the Moran mobs mechanic.He was also an ex-safecracker trying to go straight and making much needed money repairing trucks to feed his seven children.Was killed in massacre.

Highball

The Northsiders dog and the only witness to the St.Valentine's day massacre. So agitated and nervous after the slayings he was immediately adopted by on the scene photographer John "Hack" Miller.(This was later discounted by Russell V. Hamm photographer also on the scene who claimed that the dog was too wild after massacre and had to be put down).