A repeat post from a couple years ago, but still timely...
Today we remember "Machine Gun" Jack McGurn, a member of Al Capone's gang, forever associated with Valentine's Day. Why? Because our fellow Uptowner was responsible for the famous 1929 St. Valentine's Day Massacre, planning it with boss Al C.
Closer to home, McGurn was owner of the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge, which was in the heart of the territory controlled by Capone rival Bugs Moran. Because of McGurn's ownership stake in the club, the Green Mill served booze supplied by Capone, who was also a frequent patron.
The Green Mill was home to singer Joe E. Lewis in the mid-1920s. When Lewis refused to renew his contract (because another gang offered him more money to appear at a club located at Clark & Diversey), McGurn decided to persuade Lewis to stay on. His version of persuasion was to have Lewis's throat slit, cutting off part of his tongue, and leaving him for dead. Lewis survived, and actually opened 11 weeks later at the Rendezvous Café (where the Days Inn Lincoln Park is located now).
But what makes Valentine's Day particularly a day to remember Jack McGurn was his death. By 1936, he was out of favor with the Mob and destitute. On February 14, he was bowling alone at 805 Milwaukee Avenue when two men with machine guns assassinated him. They left his body in the bowling alley with a Valentine pinned to it, reading:
"You've lost your job, You've lost your dough,
Your jewels and handsome houses,
But things could be worse, you know,
You haven't lost your trousers."
Your jewels and handsome houses,
But things could be worse, you know,
You haven't lost your trousers."
I know all Uptown wonders what a pirate Valentine's Day is like.
ReplyDeleteThis is based on my life.
Hilarious IP!
ReplyDeleteIP that was awesome.
ReplyDeleteAs far as this topic, we curse gangbangers and villains everyday but people still glorify these mobsters.
Best quote regarding the Massacre comes from one of the victims: Frank Gusenberg. The only one to survive long enough to talk to the cops - when asked who shot him:
ReplyDeleteNo one. Nobody shot me
Jason - the olde tyme gangster-types, while brutal, violent and Neanderthalic at times, had at least a modicum of class and even a somewhat palpable respect for their neighborhoods.