Jazz Age Gangsters-- Part 2: "...Beegest an' Highest Men in the Ceety."

And, the gangsters had many powerful public men in their pocket. South Side mobster "Diamond Joe" Esposito, involved with bootlegging, prostitution and racketeering, celebrated his son's christening in 1925 with guests including two sitting judges, a former judge, the clerk of probate court and a U.S. senator.

He bragged, "My fren's are de beegest an' highest men in the ceety."

Three years later he was killed in a drive-by shooting while sitting on his front steps. The day he died, U.S. Senator Charles Deneen praised Esposito as a loyal and generous friend.. The day of the funeral, the senator's house was bombed.

There are a lot more interesting stories in the article.

-- DaCoot