Historic Newspapers: Public Enemies, Gangsters, & Organized Crime!

THE KNICKERBOCKER PRESS, Albany, New York, March 14, 1933

* Prohibition ending - beer returning
* President Franklin D. Roosevelt - FDR

The top of the front page has a four column heading: "Beer by Week End, Congress' Plan" with subheads. (see images) This led the way for president Roosevelt enacting the beer bill 10... Read full description  

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Mass., February 21, 1933

* 18th Amendment - prohibition end imminent
* House votes to repeal - 21st Amendment - Blaine Act

The top of page 5 has a one column heading: "REPEAL BILL GOES TO STATES" with subhead. (see) First report coverage on the United States House of Representatives approving... Read full description  

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Massachusetts, February 17, 20, and the "Extra" of the 20th, 1933 

* 18th Amendment - prohibition end imminent
* House votes to repeal - 21st Amendment - Blaine Act

This trio of issues reports on the Blaine Act, a resolution adopted by the U.S. Congress on February 20, 1933, initiating repeal of the 18th... Read full description  

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, January 2, 1933

* Rumrunner Larry Fay killed
* Prohibition era rum-running
* NYC bootlegger - gangster

The front page has a one column heading: "Racketeer Fay of N. Y. Slain at Night Club" Related photo on the back page (see images)
Complete with 52 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

THE BETHLEHEM GLOBE-TIMES, Pennsylvania, December 20, 1932

* Frank Nitti shot by Chicago police
* Al Capone henchman - gangsters

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "WOUND CAPONE AIDE IN CHICAGO; FIND NAME LIST" with subheads. (see) First report coverage on the shooting of famous Al Capone hitman, Frank Nitti, by... Read full description  

THE DETROIT NEWS, October 9, 1932

* Frank McErlane death 
* Irish-American gangster
* Thompson submachine gun 

The top of the front page has a one column photo with heading: "ONE WAY RIDE 'INVENTOR' DIES" with subhead. (see) 
Complete with 20 pages, rag edition, light toning and minor war at the margins, generally nice.

background: ... Read full description  

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, August 12, 1932

* The United States prohibition to end ?
* President Herbert Hoover admits failure
* President nomination address

The top of the front page has a four column headline: "HOOVER URGES REFORM OF NATION'S DRY LAWS IN ACCEPTANCE SPEECH" with subheads. (see) Text of Hoover's acceptance... Read full description  

THE NEW YORK TIMES, June 20, 1932

* Vannie Higgins shot & killed
* NYC mobster - prohibition bootlegger
* "Brooklyn's Last Irish Boss"

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "VANNIE HIGGINS DIES, SILENT ON SLAYERS; POLICE MYSTIFIED" with subheads. (see) Lengthy first report coverage continues inside... Read full description  

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 18, 1932

* Frederick C. Billard death
* United States Coast Guard
* Rum Patrol - prohibition era

Page 21 has a one column heading: "ADMIRAL BILLARD, RUM ROW'S FOE, DIES" with subheads and photo. (see) First report coverage on the death of Frederick C. Billard, commandant of the United States Coast Guard.
Other news,... Read full description  

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 6, 1932

* Al Capone enters prison
* Tax evasion conviction
* Chicago gangster mob boss

Page 6 has a one column heading: "AL CAPONE LOSES IDENTITY IN PRISON" with subheads. (see) Always nice to have notable events in history reported in this World famous publication.
Other news, sports and advertisements of... Read full description  

NEW YORK TIMES, May 5, 1932 

* Al Capone enters prison (1st report)
* Tax evasion guilty charge
* Chicago gangster boss - beer baron

The front page has one column heads including: "PRISON DOORS CLOSE BEHIND CAPONE" "Gangster Reaches Atlanta After Day on Which Curious Crowds Inspect the Train" "Convicts Cry... Read full description  

THE NEW YORK TIMES, May 4, 1932

* Al Capone gets 11 year term
* Tax evasion - last chance denied
* Chicago gangster boss

The front page has a one column heading: "AL CAPONE BOUND FOR ATLANTA PRISON" with subheads. (see) Coverage on Al Capone's last day of freedom as he is on his way to the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta,... Read full description  

THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS, Burlington, Vermont, May 2, 1932  This 16 page newspaper has a small one column headline on the front page:

* Capone's Future Revealed Today

This tells of Al Capone's last attempt to avoid prison. His 11-year sentence would be upheld on this day.

Other news of the day. Light browning with address label and... Read full description  

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Extra, April 7, 1932

* Charles Lindbergh Jr. baby kidnapping case
* Bizarre headline suggests all is well

This was one of the most famous crime mysteries of the 20th century which ended with the execution of Bruno Hauptmann. Here is a very odd banner headline that suggests the Lindbergh baby might be returned safely: "RETURN OF... Read full description  

THE DETROIT NEWS, February 8, 1932

* Vincent Mad Dog Coll killed
* American mobster hitman
* Dutch Shultz mob war

Page 25 has a one column heading: "VINCENT COLL TRAPPED, SLAIN" with subhead and small photo. (see)
Complete with 30 pages, rag edition, light toning on the front page, nice condition.

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, from Springfield, Massachusetts, dated December 22, 1931

* Assassination of Jack 'Legs' Diamond
* New York City Gangster
* Prohibition era

This 24 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page:

* N. Y. GANGSTERS IN ALBANY WHEN 'LEGS' WAS SLAIN
* New York Police Furnish Names of Two and Tell How Pair Took Auto from... Read full description  

FITCHBURG SENTINEL, Mass. Dec. 18, 1931

* Jack "Legs" Diamond assassination

The top of the front page has a three column headline: "Jack 'Legs' Diamond Slain Following Gay Festivities Celebrating His Acquittal" with subheads and photo of Diamond. (see)
Complete with 28 pages, light toning at the margins, a... Read full description  

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, December 9, 1931

* President Herbert Hoover
* State of the Union Address
* Great Depression & prohibition era

The front page has a one column heading: "'AID BUSINESS,' CONGRESS TOLD BY PRESIDENT" with many subheads. (see) Complete text of Hoover's annual message to Congress on page 12.... Read full description  

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, November 3, 1931

* Ralph Capone receives 3 year prison term
* Chicago gangland gangster - mobster
* Brother of Al "Scarface" Capone

Near the bottom of the front page is a two column heading: "Ralph Capone Jailed in High Court Appeal" with subhead. (see images) 
Complete with 26 pages,... Read full description  

THE COLDWATER DAILY REPORTER, Coldwater, Michigan, October 28, 1931

* Al Capone recently found guilty
* Tax evasion trial
* In prison

This 6 page newspaper has one column headlines on the front page: "CAPONE TO REMAIN IN COUNTY JAIL" and "Convicted Gangster Granted Stay But Refused Freedom of Bond". This tells of Al Capone in... Read full description  

THE NEW YORK TIMES, October 23, 1931

* Island of Cyprus riot
* Struggle for union w/ Greece
* Al 'Scarface' Capone

The top of the front page has a two column heading: "Cyprus Mobs Fight for Union With Greece; Britain Rushes Troops by Ships and Planes" (see) First report coverage on the riot & demonstration on... Read full description  

THE DETROIT FREE PRESS, October 17, 1931

* Al 'Scarface' Capone's tax evasion trial
* Would be found guilty on this day

The front page has a two column heading: "Capone Fate Is Due to Reach Jury Today" with subheads. (see) Edison would die on the following day. Coverage on the day he would be found guilty of tax evasion.
... Read full description  

ALBANY EVENING NEWS, New York, October 15, 1931 

* Al 'Scarface' Capone - gangster - mob boss
* Famous tax evasion trial - Gambling losses ?

The front page has a one column heading: "CAPONE HEAVY BETTING LOSER, BOOKIES SHOW" with subhead. (see images)
Complete with 44 pages, light... Read full description  

ALBANY EVENING NEWS, New York, October 14, 1931

* Huey 'The Kingfish" Long & Paul N. Cyr
* Louisiana governor succession dispute
* Al 'Scarface' Capone's tax evasion trial nears end

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "2 GOVERNORS, 2 AIDES 'RULE' IN LOUISIANA" with subhead... Read full description  

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, October 12, 1931 

* Al 'Scarface' Capone - gangster - mob boss
* Famous tax evasion trial w/ much testimony
* Best title to be had - very rare as such

The front page has a one column heading regarding the two-week long trial of notorious gangster Al "Scarface"... Read full description