1923 in organized crime
Appearance
See also: 1922 in organized crime, other events of 1923, 1924 in organized crime and the list of 'years in Organized Crime'.
Events
- The Chicago Crime Commission releases its first published report of those "who are constantly in conflict with the law" naming over 28 underword figures as public enemies including James "Mad Bomber" Belcastro, Edward O'Donnell, James "Fur" Sammons, William "Three Fingers" White, Jake Guzik, and Al Capone.
- Al Capone, assisted by long time Cook County racketeer Edward Vogel, establishes his headquarters in the Chicago suburb of Cicero, Illinois.
- Owney Madden is released from Sing Sing prison.
- Ragen's Colts member Harry Madigan is arrested and charged with kidnapping and extortion.
- Luciano crime family member Joseph Lanza organizes the United Seafood Workers (USW) of the Fulton Fish Market.
- January 3 - William Lovett, leader of the White Hand Gang, is found shot twice in the chest by a friend in the top floor of a Front Street shanty and taken to Cumberland Street Hospital. Although he eventually recovers from his wounds, he refuses to identiffy his attackers.
- August - The third Labor slugger war begins after Jacob "Little Augie" Orgen's Little Augies and Solomon Schapiro ally against "Kid Dropper" Nathan Kaplan's Rough Riders during a gun battle between the gangs on Essex Street resulting in the deaths of two bystanders.
- August 23 - Nathan Kaplan is killed by Jacob Orgen gunman Louis Cohen while being transported from Essex Market Court.
- September 7 - Jerry O'Connor, a member of the Southside O'Donnell's, is killed by Frank McErlane in a driveby shooting. This is the first time a Thompson submachine gun popularly known as a "Tommy gun" is used.
- September 17 - George Meegan, a Chicago bootlegger allied with the Southside O'Donnell's, and Southside O'Donnell member George Bucher are killed by Frank McErlane.
- November 1 - William Lovett is killed by three Black Hand assassins led by Dui Cutetti.
- December 1 - Thomas Keane, a beer-runner for the Southside O'Donnell's, is killed by rival gang leader Frank McErlane during a hijack attempt.
Arts and literature
- When the Kellys Were Out (film) [1]
Births
- Stephen Puleo, Belmont bookmaker and associate of Stephen Flemmi
- Benjamin Ruggiero, Bonanno crime family member
- Joseph Todaro, Buffalo Mafia Leader
- Gaetano Badalamenti, Italian mobster
Deaths
- August 23 - Nathan Kaplan, New York Prohibition gangster
- September 7 - Jerry O'Connor, Southside O'Donnell member
- September 17 - George Meegan, Southside O'Donnell member
- November 1 - William Lovett, White Hand Gang leader
- December 1 - Thomas Keane, Southside O'Donnell member