The Gangster Original

The only Rock I Know that Stays Steady...is Family -Lee Iacocca

Looking out from the train station, to the left you would see houses of the town, the Giardino Pubblico, and beautiful Botanical Gardens in the background. The main street was Corso Vittorio Emanuele pictured right. People were everywhere, and shops abounded. As you walk into town, monuments and busts of local heroes could be seen from any point of view.

Further down the Corso Vittorio Emanuele, was the older part of town, where a magnificent fountain was centered, Pozzo dell' Imperatore. The Piazza Frederico II and a Magnificent cathedral originally built by the Normans, that was re-constructed after the earthquake of 1731 destroyed it. [Baedeker, Karl. Handbook for Travellers, Southern Italy. Baedeker Publisher, 1896]

The Kid, his Dad, Mom, and Brother were all born in the city of Foggia. [Italia, Nati e Battesimi, 1806-1900 index] They were city dwellers from birth, and while they didn't endure the burdens of life on the farm, the city had a completely different set of problems.

Oresto's Father was born "Michele Scillitani" on Nov 24, 1855, [Italia, Nati e Battesimi, 1806-1900 index] and a shoemaker by recorded trade [Ellis Island Manifest, Dec 3, 1895]

His Mother, was born "Angiola Verzicco" on Feb 23, 1861. [Italia, Nati e Battesimi, 1806-1900 index].

Records of Baptism do not exist in Foggia, for either his brother Giovanbatista, or himself Oreste. Along with these lack of documents in the archives, is the marriage of Michele and Angelina (Angiola). My best by hypothesis given the facts, would be that Michele and Angelina were not married when they had both Giovanbatista and Oreste.  The church would not have been able to baptize out-of-wedlock children, and thus no record exists.

But alas, the great age of information has provided other sources to obtain their birth dates. The birth date for GiovanBatista is June 1, 1883 [WWII Draft Registration Card], and for Oreste, Oct 22, 1890 [NY House of Refuge, Inmate Case File].

Oresto even at only 4 years old would have tried to help his father make shoes. Michele, as most Italian fathers did, enlisted the help of his children in his trade. The Kid, like most boys his age in Italy, were strong of mind, and endless in energy. Since the day he was born, The Kid lived in desperate times. These times left most Southern Italian boys extremely independent, and cool as a cucumber in the face adversity.  

Some children don't fall far from the family tree and some become a "product of their environment". Oresto was the quintessential product of both.

His pedigree was genuine pure breed gangster. His ancestors were scribes, politicians, and of course criminals. They would control city records, city decisions, and would steal whatever they could, including bovines and horses. Gangster blood flowed through his veins and his DNA made him more than bad-to-the-bone...it was down to the marrow. He could scale fences. Sneak into windows. He had a marksmen shot. And he could throw a great punch and take one too. And from all accounts he was a natural gangster. A true Gangster Olympian. And when the environment enhances one's natural abilities, a person becomes exceptional, in a league of their own. A real Gangster Original.

Like his roots, Oresto was as solid as the rock his family emanated from. Sturdy, steadfast and unrelenting, like the Italian landscape of his childhood. Hardened and honed by his family and early environment.

The etymology of the Scillitano family name has it's roots planted in a beautiful little town called Scilla. Scilla sits at the very tip of the boot in Southern Italy, in the Province of Reggio Calabria. The earliest traces of Oresto's family (as of today's date) go back to his Great Grandfather, Michelangelo Scillitano. Michelangelo was born 1783 in Palmi, Italy. Palmi's closest neighbor was the town of Scilla. [Italia, Matrimoni index, Michelangelo Scillitano 07 Jun 1821. Marriage Cert.][addendum 2]

Scilla is a not only a beautiful town, but a strategically important place throughout ancient times. Most historians believe the town's name derived from the Phoenician word Skola (Rock). Named after the gigantic rock anchored on it's shores, over-looking the treacherous Messina Straits. [Italy City Guide, Scilla IT, In Italy Today]

Orestes in greek mythology, son to Agamemnon, spent his early years in exile after his father was dishonored and slain. Orestes came back to avenge his Father's honor and killed the perpetuators of this great misdeed. But he was not rewarded for this act of bravery and honor, instead Mythological creatures had come to incessantly torment his mind.

Even ancient history contains a parallel bearing his name- Roman Augustus Orestes, because of his great expertise in battle, sat next to Attila the Hun in his court. But in the end, it was the defense of his family, that brought his life to execution and a swift end.

Both Orestes were to live by the sword, and die by the sword. 

Like Oreste, the town of ancestral origins, Scilla, is shrouded with mystery and danger. Home of the notorious Mythological Greek Monster, Scylla, and the legendary evil sorceress, Fata Morgana, also known as Morgan le Fay.

According to Greek Mythology, Scylla was a beautiful girl, transformed by a wicked spell into a six-headed monster. Oresto was born a beautiful, and radiant child that quickly got transformed by the spell of his elements. [Harrison, Jane Ellen. Myths of the Odyssey in Art and Literature]

And like the Monster Scylla that devoured sea goers that were brave enough to pass the Messina straights, Oresto wiped out any man that was willing to cross him, or get in his way. 

According to legend, the evil sorceress Fata Morgana resided in the straights of Messina. She created the mirage of land ahead to lure sea goers to their death. The mirage Morgana created was of a great and glamorous life, being a big man in a big sea. Oresto, fell into the illusion of this myth, and it only led to his eventual death.

These ancient myths provide incredible parallels to Oresto, his family, and the gangster world they lived in.

Fata Morgana was the mirage, and Scylla lived on the Italian Peninsula side of the straight, while Charybdis lived on the Sicily side. And to pass through this great, and very dangerous Italian waterway, one would have to steer clear of Scylla- "the rock" and Charybdis- "the hard place". To brave the straights was to "chase a dream" and wind up "between a rock and a hard place."

Whether you were a Sicilian Gangster (Charybdis), an Italian Mainland Gangster (Scylla), or just passing through their worlds, it was a treacherous and dangerous place to be. If one monster didn't get you...the other would...and being in the middle...well...one could just sucked in, and wind up in the abyss of darkness.

This mythology carried parallels well into our past. The Beauty of the Italian coastline was all around our ancestors, but like Scylla the monster, a wicked spell would soon come to take this all away. In 1783, the same year of Oresto's Great Grandfather -Michelangelo Scillitano's birth, one of the most devastating Earthquakes the world has ever seen, struck Scilla and the Calabrian Province. The subsequent Psunami, completely leveled the town of Scilla, and severely damaged most of the Province of Reggio Calabria.

There were a series of Five Earthquakes within two months that started with a magnitude 7.0, and four after all with magnitudes greater than 5.9. Major damage was inflicted on the town after the first earthquake, most remaining survivors parked themselves on the beach to get away from their damaged homes. The following day, a large psunami over-whelmed the scillese citizens and in a matter of minutes, took over 50% of it's residents. Death and devastation came to this once beautiful town. [Maramai, A., Graziani, L. & Tinti, S. 2006. A revision of the 1783–1784 Calabrian Earthquake.]

With baby Michelangelo only a matter of a few months old, the family fled this area of heartbreak and death, and headed to a new beginning and a new life. Their trail of documents would show they would leave Palmi for good, never to return. During this time period there were no planes, trains, or automobiles. The most likely way of travel was by mule or donkey. Father, Mother with baby Michelangelo in hand, had to have travelled by way of the donkey, a long, painstaking 470km (almost 300 miles) journey, that went through lands of rogue bandits and rugged terrain.

Their final destination was Foggia, a strategically located city on the east coast of Italy, in province of Puglia. (as noted by his brother's birth in 1786, Foggia, Puglia, Italy).

The Scillitano family tree was planted and had grown in fertile soil along the Italian shores, but the most hostile of hostile of environments, would shake, bend and strip their tree of all it's fruit. The tree bent but never broke. The thickness of the Scillitano blood was able to withstand even the strongest attacks the ocean waters had to offer. Most friends, family, and enterprise, were washed away, back into the oceans where the origins of life once began.

During the summer, the ice man's pitch was a welcome song of sheer melody. "Heeeere comes The Ice Man. The Ice Man is Here. Hurry before the Ice is all gone!" (rough translation) Kids would follow him where ever he went, hoping, begging, and praying for a chip of ice to suck on.

Young girls would sell chewing gum, candy, drinking straws, zippers, and safety pins out of their younger siblings baby carriage. Sometimes, even with the baby in it.

New York City's heat and humidity soared to unbearable levels in the over-crowded and cramped quarters of tenements. Leaving the windows open was a necessity and many days it was unbearable even with all the windows open. Oresto would have to sleep out on the fire escape, or the roof, to avoid getting baked inside from the heat.

The kids would come in droves when the department of Sanitation opened the fire hydrants to flush the city gutters of garbage and horse manure. It was the only way for the tenement kids to cool down and escape the heat.  It was the unofficial public pool of Mulberry Street.

What they couldn't escape from, was waking up early. Before sunrise, tenants are woken up by the "clop clop" noises only a horse-drawn wagon can make. Milk vendors began squawking "Fresh Milk...wake up...it's time to get a 'Beee uuu ti full' bottle of fresh milk this morning".(rough translation) 

A chorus of crying babies quickly follows. Only for the cycle to begin over and over again, same time, same place, everyday single day. Getting a good nights sleep on Mulberry street, was not an option. Most stores stayed open well past 12 midnight, and the pool halls and saloons could be loud well past that. If you lived on Mulberry street it was late to bed, early to rise...every single day. And...once your up, you would get in line for the bathroom. Which by the time you got use, was a horrible stench (especially if Michele got their first). [Dad's 'first nose' account about going into the bathroom after Michele]

Most people in the Italian Colonies of Lower Manhattan(some reports say up to 85%), lived in tenements, there were also flophouses and boarding houses. Immigrants housed 2 to 3 times more people than the tenement was originally designed for. Typical tenements on Mulberry Street had four to six stories and had four units per floor. There was 1 Bathroom per floor that serviced from 18 to 24 tenants.

One would pay a premium for a front unit that has light from the sun. Some units also housed machines of the trade, such as sewing machines, tools, paper collar and flower machines, and cigar rolling machines.

Toilet paper was a luxury that mostly the middle class and upper income people used. Squares cut out of the morning newspaper made for great toilet paper after reading. Children commonly shared one bed, even four at a time. Bathtubs and toilets were later added to some units. Since the tenements were not designed for such things they may have been installed in the kitchen or a closet. Clothes lines didn't just hang clothes. They were used as dumb waiters to send up groceries or other items. They also were used to send messages to the ground floor or to a neighbor.

Much like the snow birds of today in America, the Italians thought of themselves as “Birds of Passage” not thinking their stay in America would be permanent. They stayed in deplorable living conditions, even while earning decent wages, so they could send money back to their families.

Many Italian mothers would wait a month or two past the delivery of their last child to begin working on the next one. In plain view for all to see, Mothers would be nursing their babies on tenement doorsteps just so they could get a breath of fresh air. Privacy and quiet time were not options on the streets of Little Italy.

Back alley craps games were common most hours of the day. Noisy pool halls, saloons, and cafes were open all hours of the night. The lights would be burning in Grocery stores and drug stores til mid-night or later.

At the time, Criminals out numbered Judges, Police, Lawyers and doctors combined 4:1.

But even amongst this extreme over-crowding, the Mulberry District was a gigantic Italian enclave teeming with a commercial and shop keeping community. Most people who lived on Mulberry Street, shopped right there on Mulberry Street. For the streets provided all the needs a family could possibly want. Fruits, food, razors, even puppies were right in front of you every day. Boarding Houses, tailors, undertakers, grocery stores, drug stores, florists, fruit emporiums plus many more vending carts selling everything under the sun. Shops would have cut outs of what they sold hanging somewhere outside there store, so that people who couldn't read would know what they sold. The Italian people were a hard working and enterprising people and could make do under any circumstances. 

Most people worked 12 hour days and had no choice and no overtime. Italian children may have started work as early as 5 years old. Young boys sold newspapers, cleaned chimneys, or polished shoes. The also worked in sweat shops that were make shift factory floors in tenements. Little girls sold candy, cigars, shoelaces, ribbons, and flowers out of the their younger brother or sisters baby carriage.

Madison Square Garden boasted Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, with genuine sharp shooting and trained horses. Most Kids went to Coney Island, The Zoo, or Central Park for fun. They also played checkers, kick the can, games with their pocket knifes, tiddlywinks and Parcheesi. Popular Sports to play by kids were baseball, stickball, and bowling. Horseless Carriages (Automobiles) had just come onto the scene. Most Italians had little or no use for them. They were expensive, They broke down all the time, and they couldn't make it up steep hill. They even struggled going up small hills. A horse was stronger and faster.

Italians were almost entirely of the Catholic religion. They adored the Virgin Mary and their Patron Saints. Churches with their adorning statues were commonplace in Little Italy and areas just to the north.

For Italians, family was the heart and soul of their lives in America. Literacy and language barriers prevented most Italian Immigrant parents from being able to communicate in America.

The children of the family had to become great communicators, translators, and workers. In America most would stay in school just long enough to get a grasp of the language. Italians were accustomed to working at an early age, and at the expense of their education became great builders of America.

Settling on Mulberry Street, Oresto's two younger brothers were just two of the millions of immigrant babies born in New York City during this time period. Saverio Scillitani (later known on the streets as "Sammy Shields") was born 03 Jan 1899. Alfredo Scillitani (later known Alfred Shillitani and "Freddy Shields") was born 27 Apr 1901.

It was said there were over 600,000 "Sons of Italy" in the colonies of New York (by 1913). There were more "Sons of Italy" in New York than in Rome itself. [The Sun, Dec 14, 1913].

Oresto and the family would come to own many properties on Mulberry Street. [addendum 5]

The schools in the Lower East Side of Manhattan were inundated with immigrants, with some having up to 50:1 teacher to student ratios. Most Italian children in New York had to overcome even larger barriers than ratios...they didn't understand or speak English.

The elementary school in the Kid's neighborhood was built to teach a maximum of 1000 children, but over 2000 children attended. The New York school system and the Teachers within, were in no way prepared for the psunami of immigrant kids that came to blanket the lower eastside.

There were no "English as a second language" classes. For recess, the school had no playground and no place to sit down, just the ground. Just an over-loaded school system, with untaught, frustrated immigrant kids, that had a bundle of physical and mental energy and nowhere to use it.

Kid fights broke out anywhere and anytime. Fights were rarely broken up by teachers at the time. For one, the fights were too dangerous, and secondly, if they were to break up two students fighting, what would come of the other 48 kids? Lower East Side 'Kid fights' were very dangerous at the time. Boys would typically bite, kick, and punch during a fight and many before the age of ten were trained at home on how to fight. No such thing as bully training, or how to handle such outbursts. Some kids would come home from school with major damage to their bodies and never return.

New York City Teachers in the early 1900s did the best they could with the situation presented before them. They would utilize the few foreign students that could speak English as translators for the other kids. Many classes didn't just have one foreign language to over-come. There may be four or five different languages spoken by students to a classroom. To make things even harder, many Italians had to over-come understanding the many different dialects spoken by the "interpreter students".

The second grade classrooms would have the normal 7 & 8 year old children mixed in with the 12 year old Immigrant children that could not speak English. This set-up was sure recipe for disaster for both age groups. As the English speaking kids had to slow their education down to almost a halt, and the older Immigrant kids felt degraded and quickly became disenchanted with education. [Freedman, Immigrant Kids]

The Public schools on the lower east side had No Gyms or No Sports equipment, and the toilets were outside in the yard. Their exercise time was rudimentary, to say the least. Teachers would instruct the kids to stand while she grabbed a pole to open windows, that always seemed to get stuck. The children were instructed to breathe in...breathe out. "Hands on your shoulders", "Arms up", "Arms out", "Shoulders Back". OK, now it was time to sit back down at your desks. Their exercise was done for the day. [Freedman, Immigrant Kids]

Employment and Crime

The education for most kids in the tenements came mainly from the streets. When Oresto was a child, most Mulberry Street kids dropped out of elementary school. When the Kids on Mulberry street weren't working or committing a crime, they were running around and bumping into anything and everything that came in their way.  [Mangione & Morreale, La Storia]

The fighting in the schools was nothing, compared to the fights on Mulberry Street. The Early Childhood Mulberry Street Education (from about 6 to 10 years old) consisted of kids mastering the arts of fighting with fists, bricks, and broken bottles. They soon graduated to baseball bats and knives. Then of course to guns. And if you were really good you could use a tin garbage can lid as both, a weapon, to hit people with to defend yourself with.

At age 9, he got his first real job at a paper box factory. This is the place he earned his street name and aka "The Paper Box Kid". Like other kids, he tried to do both work and school, but at an age of 9 years old working and going to school was an incredibly hard thing to do.

The Kid quickly became disenchanted with his education and when The Kid was 10 he started up boxing. The Kid would then go on to spend his most of his early years in reformatories, starting from the age of 12 years old. [NY House of Refuge Inmate Case File]

At 12 years old he served 1 1/2 years in the Catholic Protectory, and at 14 years old he served 2 1/2 years in the House of Refuge.

The trade schools at the reformatories is where he learned to be a tinsmith, a plumber's assistant, and a tailor. His Inmate case file at The New York House of refuge shows was working as a tinsmith at age 13, and upon his release at age 16, he was employed by a plumber.

The law precluded him from getting full-time working papers until the age of fourteen, most were working part-time, at home, in a sweat shop, or under the table well before that age. What we call today "child slave labor", was commonplace right here in the USA (early 1900s). They began and ended their lives working menial jobs never to understand the language of the country they now call home.

But his real training in the reformatories, was in the art of being a criminal. The Kid was also home schooled in criminal arts by his brother and father.

If The Kid was ever sick, the Doctors in Little Italy, were literally a dime a dozen. Doctors were unaware of what germs were, or how they worked. Medicines were given without knowledge of efficacy or side effects. Thousands of 'snake oil' medications were around that could cure any sickness.

And The #1 Doctor's recommended medication...cocaine. Cocaine was even in the in the soda back then. Many children in tenements were using cocaine to cure all kinds of ailments before the age of 10 years old. Cocaine would eventually become regulated in New York City in 1907, and nationally, in 1914, by the Harrison Act. [New York Times, "New Cocaine Ordinance", January 31, 1907]

But life wasn't all bad in New York City. The Disneyland of the time, had just opened. Once in a rare while, the Kid would go to the world's largest amusement center, The "enchanted, story-book land" of Coney Island. The parks inside of Coney Island, Luna Park, and Dreamland, boasted over 1,250,000 lights, and could be seen over 30 miles out at sea. It was a literal paradise amongst the sordid over-crowded city of New York.

The Kid had a full 360 degree education. During the day he learned how to survive and make money by the streets of New York and at night he took classes at Cooper Union. He exuded confidence, spoke well, dressed the part, and adapted well to his surroundings. 

Whether he was in a pool hall with the lowest members of society, or at City Hall with the elite members, he would fit in like finely tuned piano at a jazz festival. He learned how the business in America worked by starting his career at a very early age. [NY House of Refuge Inmate Case History]

"All Criminal Conduct can be traced largely to early environment or home influence that was Negative, Faulty, Improper, or Evil" - Doc Squire

One such penal enacted required that "No child under 12 Years Old shall be committed to the House of Refuge for any crime of misdemeanor". A Child under The Age of 12 Years Old however shall be committed to The House of Refuge if the crime they committed was a felony. This enactment was considered going soft in those days.

Children between the ages of 12 and 16 years of age must be submitted to The New York House of Refuge if they lived in the heavily populated counties of New York and Kings. [Documents of The Senate of The State of New York: Volume 13, For The Year Ending 1905.]

New York had gigantic institutions, using all types of euphemisms, to house delinquent children. There were Protectories, Reformatories, and House's of Refuge. They were typically over-crowded and completely incapable of properly educating or helping any child reform. Some institutions had thought themselves progressive by beginning programs that were cleverly named, "Help for the Mentally Defective."

In New York, the reformation and correction of delinquents could be entrusted in part or in whole to religious organizations. The most notable religious based Protectory was The Catholic Protectory at Westchester, New York, the largest religious based reformatory in the country, which in 1904 contained 2,566 delinquents. The boys department was run by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, of the Institute founded by St. John Baptiste de la Salle. [New York Catholic Protectory, 41st Annual Report to The Legislature of the State of New York. 1904]

The formation of "Good, Christian Character" was the aim of the facility. [Report of the Director of The Male Department]. Reading, writing, and exercise were the foundation of the boys stay. The practice of calisthenics, playground time, and military drill kept the boys physically active. Students were instructed in basic reading and writing skills with great emphasis on Christian religious instruction.

The protectory covered around 10 acres of ground. A statue of La Salle and Stained glass windows adorned the entrance to the facility. The Brothers worn long black gowns, with cloth caps worn on their heads. Walking past the staff chapel, brothers can always be seen kneeling before a religiously awe inspiring alter.

In the classrooms boys were to rise and sit as the Brother instructed. Boys that behaved well took on the responsibility to insure the rest behaved well or report them to the Brother. The weekday routine was a full schedule that kept the Kid busy all day long.

Weekday Routine
6:00 am: Rise and Shine in Summertime. (6:30 AM Wintertime)
6:30 - 7:30 am: Wash, get dressed, and report to Breakfast.
7:30 am: Breakfast is served. A Brother sits above all and says grace. Now all can eat.
8:30 am: Report to Religious Class
9:00 - 11:00 am: Report to Academic Class
11:00 - 12:00 noon: Lunch
12:00 - 1:00 am: Recess, Playtime.
1:00 - 3:00 am: Report to Trade class
3:00 - 5:00 pm: Report to Academic Class
5:00 - 5:30 pm: Wash up and Report for Supper
5:30 - 6:30 pm: Supper
6:60 - 7:30 pm: Wash up and get ready for bed
7:30 pm: Evening prayers. Each inmate is by their cot. The prayer if first read by the Brother, then repeated by the inmates.

Academic Classes were basic and thorough:
1) Catechism starts the day. Moral and Religious Truths are impressed upon the minds of the boys, keeping their minds from evil, and fostering growth of character.
2) Reading
3) Writing
3) Arithmetic

Trade Classes available for "the Kid" to choose from:
Electrotyping, Shoemaking, tailoring, chair caning, knitting, music, laundry, kitchen, baking, farming, dairying, gardening, blacksmithing, wheelwright, carpentry, machinery and painting. Industrial training was greatly emphasized. [New York Times, February 22, 1892]

For any of it's faults, The Protectory certainly appeared to have the Kids best interests in mind. The Kid's academic report showed his basic reading and writing skills as "good" in 1903 and he was released after serving his full 18 months in July, 1904.  [List of Boys Examination, New York Catholic Protectory, 41st Annual Report to The Legislature of the State of New York. 1904]

Gangster Original's First Stay "Up The River"

 

"It has been conceded for many years that the cells that the cells at Sing Sing were unfit for Human Habitation"  -Superintendent of New York State Prisons. [Laws of 1905, Ch. 718]

The night bucket system was in place during the Kid's stay at Sing Sing. Because there were no toilets, a bucket in which an inmates excreta is stored for ten to fourteen hours inside a cell adds foulness to an over-burdened germ-laden atmosphere. The sanity expert does not hesitate to say that the conditions inside an inmates cell during this time are far worse than living in the sewer itself. [Annual Report of the Superintendent of State Prisons State of New York, 1913]

Samples of Air taken at an early hour in the morning contain toxic levels of carbon monoxide. Just to illustrate how dangerous and sickly a place it was in 1 year (October 1, 1912-September 30, 1913) the medical department reported 5286 admissions for treatment with a prison population of 1294 at fiscal year-end. [Annual Report of the Superintendent of State Prisons, State of New York, 1913]

Prison Association Recommendation Regarding Sing Sing Prison:

The only logical Recommendation...in the interest of the public and in justice to the inmate, is that the prison be abandoned. [Annual Report of The Prison Association of New York: Volume 70, 1914]

At Sing Sing, The Kid was kept and treated like an animal, and became more adept at living and acting like one. But, the prison reformers were riding into Ossining by now, and slowly, and very subtley, things would change.

The infamous striped uniforms were abolished in 1904. The Kid wore the Prison greys that replaced them. [Cheli, Sing Sing Prison, Images of, 2003] In a report of the prison reformers, it was noted that grey provided a happier, healthier, and more self-esteemed inmate. [Annual Report of The Prison Association of New York: Volume 70, 1914]

The Prison lockstep, in which the prisoners were forced to step in sync with the inmate in front of them, was also abolished in the very early 1900s. The inmates would now walk in a straight line, hands at their side when transitioning to another part of the prison.

"There were more gangs in New York than at any other period in the history of the Metropolis"  -Herbert Asbury, Gangs of New York, regarding the early 1910s.

Some gangs were old and venerable, some new and formidable, and others on the tail end of their glory. There were gangs named after the streets they dominated, others named after their celebrity-like leaders, some brave enough to have a city's name in it, and yet others carrying names that didn't seem so strange in years past.

Some gangs held their chests out and head high, strolling with perfectly groomed slicked hair, square cut suits, polished bulldog toed shoes, and manicured hands. Others were exceptionally uncooth, plodding the streets needing a haircut, a shave, and in some cases a bath.

Members had names like "Eat 'em up" McManus, "Spanish" Louis, "Biff" Ellison, "Humpty" Jackson, Lupo "The Wolf", and "Razor" Riley to name a few.

There were as many rivalries as the number of gangs themselves. The Five Pointers vs The Eastmans; The Hudson Dusters vs The Marginals; The Kenmare Street Gang vs "Goldmine Jimmy's Gang.

Alliances were abound as well. But alas, if winds of money, revenge, jealousy, or a woman were to change, and different tact would come rather quickly. Enemies became friends, and friends, enemies. So goes the life of a gangster. Friends today, enemies tomorrow, here today, gone tomorrow. Just to name of few of the time...[addendum 6]

And don't forget about the guy all gangsters would need one time or another- "Stitch" McCarthy the all famous Bail Bondsmen in Manhattan. [Gangrule]

The 10th Avenue Gang was the first gang start robbing trains in New York.  The 14th Street Gang. The 106th Street Gang would be the Gambino Crime Family recruiting grounds. 107th Street Gang was founded by the head of the first Sicilian Mafia family in the U.S., Giuseppe Morello. And became the great recruiting ground for "Tommy Brown" Lucchese along with Charlie "Lucky" Luciano in the Bronx and East Harlem; 112th Street Gang were a group of toughs that eventually became Lucchese and Genovese Crime Family members. The 116th Street Gang would be the elite members of Vito Genovese's Family. The "Biff Ellison Association were election time specialists. "Biff" would round up the votes with his favorite weapons, a broken beer bottle and a black jack.

The Black Hand (Mano Nera) a parasitic gang that fattened themselves off the extorted money from their own countrymen. Led by the Sicilian "Lupo The Wolf". They were not adverse to blowing up houses with women and children, if they didn't get the money.

The Car Barn Gang: Famously placed a sign before entering their territory based at 90th street and 2nd Avenue:

This is the dead line for Cops

No Trespassing under penalty of Death

 - the car barn gang

And they weren't messing around. On more than one occasion they laid brutal beatings to cops that entered into their territory. One time, 8 patrolmen had been admitted to the hospital. After they knocked a patrolman out, they continued to "hoof him" (kick and stomp) as he lay out cold on the ground. Patrolmen had think twice before entering the Car Barn's turf without a platoon. [The Sun, August 3, 1919]

The "Chick Tricker" Gang was led by Frank "Chick" Tricker was an early New York gangster who served as one of its last leaders alongside Jack Sirocco. A longtime member of the Eastmans. John Rizzo, a future victim of The Kid, was allegedly a member.

$5  For an ordinary Punching

$10 For an ordinary Punching and a Razor Cut

$30 For a Beating with Brass Knuckles and Free use of Black-Jack

$50 For a Beating that will Send Victim to the Hospital

$75 For a Stabbing

$100 For a Murder

In Hell's Kitchen, The Gopher Gang was lead by the famous casino/gambling guru, boxer and tough guy- Owney Madden. On the Westside, were the Hudson Dusters and the Humpty Jackson Gang headquartered in the cemetery between 1st & 2nd avenues. Uptown, The Gas House Gang were kings.

The One Arm Gang's leader in response to a patrolman directing him to leave the area: "No cop can make me move" -John Painz. Painz called two other one arm members, grabbed the patrolman's own club, and beat him mercilessly with it. It was only when Painz realized that he was shot, that he stopped and went to the hospital. [The Sun, September 10, 1911]

The Whyos' "Dandy Johnny" strutted about Greenwich Village, with his hand Carved Cane, striking fear into his enemies calling "weeeeoooo", alerting other members to action. [NY Times, April 4, 1926] [The Sun August 3, 1919]

Frankie Yale's Brooklyn Mob, The Navy Street Gang, The Lennox Avenue Gang, The Thompson Street Gang, The Marginals, The White Hand Gang, The Yakey Yakes of The Five Points District, and the 19th Street gang. "Dopey" Benny's Gang, Hell's Kitchen Gang, The Jungle Band, San Juan Hill Gang, The Battery Gang, The Canary Gang, Salter's Gang, and Moran's Gang. [The Sun, August 3, 1919]

The Kid would have been recognized by his peers in the neighborhood as earning extra stripes for his stay at Sing Sing. His rank in the Kenmare Street Gang was most certainly elevated.

The Kenmare Street Gang was a relatively new gang (c.1911),  with old guns as members. The organization had old hardened guns from the Louis Poggi, Five Points, and Jack Sirocco Gangs. "The Kid" is cited in multiple sources as being a member, and possible leader. These guys were the most dangerous gunmen in the great city. Their members were experts with automatic pistols, quick and sure in high pressure situations. Shooting, Killing or maiming was nothing to them. They rarely had rivals ready to take them on, but another group of feared gunmen in the city were members of the "Chick Tricker" Gangs and The "Goldmine Jimmy" Kelly Gangs. All three were considered extremely dangerous downtown gangs. They all had great arsenals, steady hands, absolutely no fear, no remorse, and the discipline to carry out the most intricate of plans.

The gang was the first to see opportunities in the strike breaking line of work and furnished nearly all the professional gunmen who act as guards at factories. Chick Tricker another former prize fighter has a gang of his own in greenwich village went into the strike breaking business recently. He was shot dead on April 13, 1913, at a factory in E. 59th st. allegedly by members of the Kenmare Street Gang. [The Evening World,  "Paroled Gunman Killed Policemen and a Gangster", May 5, 1913]

"Goldmine Jimmy" was so called because of the many gold teeth that shined when he smiled. His gang's headquarters were in The Mandarin Café on Mott Street in Chinatown. [NY Times July 22, 1912]

"Chick Tricker" has his headquarters over at 128 Park Row, across from the Brooklyn bridge and around the five points. A former prize fighter [The Sun, July 20, 1919]

Mike Salter's Headquarters were on pell street in Chatham Square. [The Sun, July 20, 1919]

"I got nothing against the honest cop on the beat, you just get them transferred someplace where they can do no harm" -Al Capone

It was Grand Opening Night and the band was playing at Peratto's Café. [Middletown Daily Times-Press May 15, 1913] By all accounts a beautiful Saturday Night on May 3, 1913, the drinks and food were complimentary to all. The "Kid" just pasted a crisp $2 dollar bill on the place's mirror. The combination pool room and cafe at 235 Mulberry St. was packed with gangsters getting free food and drinks.  [Washington Post Mar 28, 1915][For the addresses, and businesses on Mulberry street at the time of the shooting see addendum #5]

A raging gangster party right in the heart of gang land, packed with old time gangsters downing free brew in one of the most vicious and toughest parts of the great metropolis.

These guys weren't the typical armed rabble-rousers that couldn't shoot straight. These guys from downtown were first-rate murderers and the most dangerous gangsters in all of NYC.

All were born in filth and squalor, but the guys on Mulberry Street came with connected families. They could live in nicer places, but they didn't. They chose to be with, and were more comfortable living with and amongst the vermin. Their job- to guard, and to protect, the territories that they staked their own. 

Most out of area gangsters had the brains of a donkey with dementia, and the foresight of a ship in dense fog. But the men from this part of Mulberry Street were a breed apart and far cry from the aforementioned. Sharp in wit, expert with weapons, and versatile with illegal, illegitimate or unlawful acts.

The Rizzo "Kid Morgan" was a Gangster from Mott St, and a Strike Breaker. He was a Sicilian Gangster, who strutted around downtown like he was a cut above the rest. He and his pals wore sharp suits and sported sleek hair styles. He and his fellow gangmen were in the pool Hall when Rizzo displayed the utmost disrespect to The Kid’s Father.

Rizzo had pissed off the Shillitoni's Kenmare Gang by buying a pistol and not making payment.

The rumor on the streets was that Rizzo used the unpaid gun to shoot and seriously wound a striker at L. Loewy & Son at 447 Broadway. [Washington Post March 28, 1915]

After the shooting Rizzo, got rid of the gun, and quickly jumped on a train to flee the scene of the crime. Instead of being a stand up guy, Rizzo 'borrowed the gun' got rid of it and didn't pay for it. Being a strike breaker he was bigger than most, and stood over his comrades.

Michele noticed Rizzo in the Pool Hall and quickly approached him. Michele already knew the A to Z story about the gun, demanded payment- and respect. It showed flagrant disrespect not to report the status of payment to the 'Big Man'.

Rizzo was flushed with drink and tried to downplay Michele's questions. Michele continued as the old traditional Italians would do, and Rizzo, drunk, laughed off the unpaid debt, scoffed at Michele's concerns, and pushed him with a pool stick. Michele, known as a wealthy and powerful man on Mulberry Street, was at first in disbelief, then angered beyond any string of the worst Italian sayings or gestures that accompany such a verbal assault. This very public display of disrespect was a major violation of, and by, the code Michele lives by.

Michele, sternly, under partial control, exits the fine establishment and walks next door into the saloon at 233 Mulberry St. (another shillitani owned building) where Oresto is known to hang out. Michele informs him of the events that took place in the pool room. [Court of General Sessions- The County of New York  (215 N.Y. 715)  The People v. Oresto Shilitano Case #1844]

The Kid was an expert in automatic pistols, a well-known tough guy in the neighborhood, and rumored to be a stone cold killer. The Kid was also a Real hot head when it came to D-I-S-R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

As soon as Michele finishes explaining the details of the event, Rizzo's death warrant was signed. Rizzo committed multiple offenses 1) Disrespect of Family; 2) Disrespect of a Powerful Man; 3) Disrespect in another's territory.

Oresto and his father, storm into the pool room at 235 Mulberry St. and march towards Rizzo 's table. Rizzo by this time is slightly lit up and slouching a bit in his seat. There's three buddies sitting with him that are not half as bagged as him. Oresto's imposing presence is felt by all as he stands over him, loudly slaps his open hand on the table in front of Rizzo and challenges Rizzo to come outside. Both Oresto and his father walk confidently towards the entrance and burst open the doors and go outside the cafe.

They walk away from the cafe towards the front of 241 Mulberry St. (The tenement they own and live-in). Oresto took up his stand, perched on the stoop near the railing. Michele storms inside the same tenement and quickly returns handing Oresto a shiny object that looks like a nickel plated revolver. [Nellie De Carlo Testimony, Court of General Sessions- The County of New York  (215 N.Y. 715)  The People v. Oresto Shilitano Case #1844]

After handing Oresto the .38, Michele walks across the street, for a front row coliseum view of the slaughter. He waits standing tall, chest out, chin up, and arms folded, for the enforcement of Rizzo's Death Sentence. It was customary for an old time gangster- to watch the lamb walk into it's slaughter. Lambs that couldn't be herded and controlled had to be slaughtered or wolves would pick up it's scent and lead to the slaughter of the rest.

Oresto is now fully armed with a .32 ACP and .38 caliber ACP, waiting for the brazen gangster. One of Rizzo's compadres warns Rizzo that Oresto was outside still waiting for him. [New York Times, May 9, 1913]

Rizzo, playing the tough guy, took his time, and walked slowly outside, as if he already knew his fate. To show confidence in front of his pool room comrades Rizzo stands up with a slight wobble and turns to the guys, "The Kid's on his last legs, I might as well finish him up." [Washington Post March 28, 1915].

Rizzo walks to the door slowly, as his buddies slowly follow. Rizzo gets outside the doors and walks towards where Oresto is standing on a railing in front of 241 Mulberry St. Rizzo came out of the poolroom at 235, and starting walking towards No. 239. Oresto sees him and immediately comes off his perch and walks towards Rizzo. The meet in front of 239 Mulberry Street. 

Meanwhile, across the street and a few buildings up, a patrolman of New York City's 12th Precinct was on the beat. A young probationary (rookie) Officer named William Heaney was pulling on doors insuring the shopkeepers had locked up properly for the night. Heaney's post was on Mulberry Street between Spring and Bleecker. It was only 30 minutes or so away from the end of shift (4 pm-12 mid-night)  [Court Testimony, People against Oresto Shilitano Trial #1844]

In front of 239 Mulberry st., The Kid gets into a heated exchange with Rizzo about ten feet away. Suddenly shots are fired. With one shot, Rizzo immediately drops to the ground in front of 239 Mulberry St. The Kid puts his smoking gun in his pocket and signals another gangster, come over and help him drag the body off the street. Oresto and James Morelli, the same Morelli that was sitting friendly with Rizzo five minutes prior, start dragging Rizzo's dead body towards the hallway at 235 Mulberry.  [Court of General Sessions- The County of New York  (215 N.Y. 715 Case #1844)  The People v. Oresto Shilitano Case #1844]

As The Kid and Morelli are dragging Rizzo's body back towards the pool hall, Oresto signals for a second gangster to take over and help Morelli bring Rizzo's body back into the pool hall. [Court of Appeals, The People vs. Oresto Shilitano, (218 N.Y. 161) Case #2101] [NY Tribune, May 15, 1913]

Once shots were heard, it only took a matter of seconds for Officer Heaney to realize where and what had happened. The brave young Officer wrapped the leather from his black jack tightly around his fist, blew his whistle, and ran into the face of extreme danger without hesitation towards No. 235 Mulberry Street, the combination poolroom and cafe. 

After hearing the whistle of a patrolman from across the street, Oresto decided it was time to make his clean break.

With quickness and agility, Officer Heaney intercepted The Kid in his flight from justice. Heaney pulls back on his blackjack, and with a mighty strike blasts the Kid on his head right above the ear. The kid impulsively reacts, the only way he knows how...three Shots rang out, and the young officer fell immediately to the ground and in an instant his career and life would come to an abrupt end.  [Court of Appeals, May 9,1916, The People vs. Oresto Shilitano, 218 N.Y. 161 Case #2101].[NY Tribune, May 15, 1913]

Officer Teare, hearing all the commotion from his post, just one half block away. He ran south down Mulberry Street and quickly responded to the gunfire. He arrives on the scene firing his revolver at Oresto. Got two shots off that missed the Kid. The Kid responds immediately to the shots fired at him by firing back. With one shot, right in the gut, and Officer Teare dropped to the ground.  [The Autopsy released by Coroner's Physician Otto H. Schultz confirmed officer Heaney was shot three times with .38 Caliber bullets. Patrolman Teare was shot once with .32 caliber. Rizzo was killed with one shot that was a .38 caliber bullet.[New York Times May 9, 1913]

"The Kid" knew the heat was really on now. He ran back into the hallway of 241 Mulberry St. where he lived. and then disappeared into the night. It was speculated that this is where he washed off the blood and changed his clothes. Through the backyard, up tenement stairs and along the roof tops, back down stairs and to the train station. [Court of Appeals, May 9,1916, The People vs. Oresto Shilitano, 218 N.Y. 161 Case #2101]

Pandemonium struck Mulberry Street Station. All officers from Mulberry Street Station were 'called in' to the scene.  Some Officers tended to their fallen friends, other Officers had to cordon off the crowds, others were questioning Italians in the crowds and yet other panic stricken officers rushed to the Mulberry Station house at 205 Mulberry St to put a call St Vincent's Hospital to save their fallen brethren. [The People against Oresto Shilitano alias Harry Shields. CASE #1844]

Lieutenant Sullivan quickly ordered all reserves from the Mulberry Street Station to reoprt for duty. After a short while he realized the gravity of the situation, hurried to a telephone, and sent request for all reserves in the great city, south of 14th street to report to Mulberry Station. [NY Times, May 4, 1913]

Officers tending to Officer Teare, heard very little from the fallen officer and couldn't get an idea of what happened. Teare was weak and struggled speaking, but pushed through his pain to speak. But his words were incoherent. [New York Times, May 4, 1913].

Ambulance Surgeon Robert John McGuire got the call. The officer calling in, was so excited, he didn't mention the scene of the shooting. All Surgeon McGuire could make out was that the officer was calling from the 12th Precinct.  Surgeon McGuire immediately rushed to the Precinct. Upon rounding the corner to the Mulberry Station frenzied officers wave him off and towards their fallen compadres. [The People against Oresto Shilitano alias Harry Shields. CASE #1844].

The Surgeon escorted by Patrolmen makes his way through the crowds that packed the streets at the scene of the crime. The cops tried with no avail to push the crowds away from the bodies. [New York Times, May 4, 1913]

Father Gill, from St. Patrick's Church at Mulberry Street, saw the shooting from his rectory window and ran to the scene. He began administering last rites to Rizzo and Officer Heaney, evidently seeing the dire condition of both victims. [NY Tribune, May 5, 1913]

All three men were admitted to St. Vincent's Hospital:

John Rizzo, 35 years old, of 41 Spring Street, NYC was Pronounced Dead on Arrival. He was out on $2,000 bail at the time of  the shooting. Shooting a tailor, Isidore Streir, of 509 Metroplitan Ave., Brooklyn. [NY Tribune, May 5, 1913]

Probationary Patrolman William B. Heaney, 26 years old, of 717 Prospect St., Brooklyn was Pronounced Dead on Arrival. Survived by a young wife. His police funeral was given with full honors and full pension was awarded to the widow. [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 14, 1913] [NY Tribune, May 5, 1913]

Patrolman Charles Teare, 36 years old, of  633 Greenwich St., was Pronounced Dead Two Days After Arrival at St. Vincents Hospital.  His widowed mother, and brother, Fire Captain of Company 43 in the Bronx, were at his side when he died. A police funeral was given with full honors for the 12 year veteran. [NY Tribune, May 5, 1913][NY Times, May 5, 1913]

Of the hundreds of witnesses, not one would admit to seeing the occurrence. Only Father Gill, The priest at St. Patrick's Cathedral would admit seeing the fight and shots. But of course he admittedly could not see or identify the shooter. He would run to the seen and administer last rites to all three victims.

New York Times, May 4, 1913:

"At 12:30 o'clock this morning all Mulberry Street was in an uproar. One Policeman and an Italian Gangster lay dead on Mulberry Street, while another Policeman lay seriously wounded in St Vincents Hospital Police reserves were being rushed into the district from all stations south of 14th street. The Chief of The Detective Bureau showed up himself on the scene and dispatched his detectives all through out the Italian quarter of Manhattan to find the murderer. There were no shortage of theories on who committed the crime, why it happened, and how it happened."

Officers and detectives were already mixed in the crowd trying to find answers. After One Hour of scouring the crowd still not one person on the scene would admit to seeing what happened. Mulberry Street was jammed packed with crowds that numbered several thousand. Crowds came from all directions and were held behind the police lines even past 1:00am. [NY Times, "Slays a Policeman and a Gangman", May 4, 1913]

Detectives from the department theorized there were two shooters because of the accuracy and deadly effect of the crime. Yet others theorize it was a crack shot gangster from one of the dangerous downtown gangs.[New York Times May 4, 1913]. And thus the two shooter theory arises. The Coroner asserted that two men must have done the shooting. They held Ralph Lorito on charges of being the second gunman. Detectives arrested Pedigru Tipaldo due to his resemblance to Oresto. The Policemen knew better. Their Theory was that this was an expert gunman that carried two guns, One large caliber to kill at a distance, one smaller caliber to kill close up to the victim. [New York Times May 4, 1913]

[Washington Post March 28, 1915] [Court of General Sessions- The County of New York  (215 N.Y. 715)  The People v. Oresto Shilitano Case #1844]

"The Man who did most of the firing and who got away, using a Magazine Pistol with Deadly Effect" -New York Times, May 4, 1913

"The Police think that he was one of the crack shots of the dangerous downtown gangsters" -New York Times, May 4, 1913

After carefully interviewing people in the crowd, detectives found out that one Rocco "Ralph" Lorito was shot by the victim (John Rizzo) in November of 1912 and was attending the grand opening that night along with his brother Matilo. Detectives brought him and his brother to the station to assess whether he was a suspect or a witness to the crime. [The World, May 5, 1913]

Out of the Hundreds of people that may have witnessed the shooting that night, No one had been found at 1 o'clock this morning who would admit to having seen the murders. [The New York Times, May 4, 1913]

After being interrogated by detectives Lorito was determined not to be a suspect, and as a witness claimed he saw nothing. [The World, May 5, 1913]

The Captain of detectives theory was that it was impossible for one unaided shooter to shoot all three men dead. He would have had to shoot two different caliber guns one in each hand under the dimly lit green street lights of Mulberry Street. The detectives came to the realization that they underestimated the shooting expertise of this Italian Gangster.

After an interview with NYC Police Comissioner Waldo, The New York Tribune, splashed on it's front page-

All The Sleuths on Case. Waldo puts Every Available Plaincothes Man to Work to Run Down Slayer and Wipe out Gangs [NY Tribune, May 5, 1913]

The Police Department Started an Unprecedented Campaign to Rid The City of of Lawless Gangs [NY Tribune, May 5, 1913]

On May 9, 1913, The New York Times subtitle read Autopsies Show Bullets of Different Sizes Were Used Against Heaney, Teare, and Rizzo. May Have Been Two Slayers.

Mayor Gaynor's policy of treating all citizens with consideration and gentleness regardless of records or affiliations may be changed. It is in process of contemplation the modification his orders as to allow policemen and detectives to deal roughly with known gunmen. And to close up the pool parlors and coffee houses on the east side which are known "resorts of gunmen". [The World, May 5, 1913]

Once the detectives were able to figure out that there was only one shooter, it narrowed down the suspects greatly.

This gangster had to be crackshot and one of the most dangerous gangsters in downtown NY. and who the suspect is, the machinery was set in motion to apprehend the Kid.

The stories abounded exponentially. One source said the Kid was in the pool room, slapping his hand on the table, arguing with Rizzo, calling him out. Another told of Rizzo running Oresto out of the pool room. Yet others told of Oresto's father, Michele, getting into it with Rizzo. Some said it was part of rivals going against each other in a Gang War. Others said Rizzo and Oresto were friends of the same gang. Stories were flying everywhere and in every which direction.

There were credible stories and some that came from a land far far away. The detectives couldn't get a straight story. The only thread that held all the stories together, was that in the end, Oresto called out Rizzo, and those two met outside the poolroom.

Commander Cornelius Willemse, Commander of the First Detective Division of New York, "In the triple of Policemen Heaney and Teare, and a civilian named Rizzo by Killer Oreste Shillitoni we had three witnesses in the House of Detention. [First Hand Account, Commander Cornelius Wllemse, True Crime Detective Monthly April, 2003]

House of Detention for Witnesses

The House of Detention for Witnesses was the holding place for material witnesses who were required to testify in court but couldn't make bail. It was located along side the Mulberry Street Police Station (205 Mulberry Street) at 203 Mulberry Street. The witnesses lived in large dormitory rooms and were able to move about the building freely.  In December of 1915, the House of Detention was condemned by the NYC Buildings Department and was out of operation shortly thereafter.

"They weren't saying a word, and District Attorney Wasservogel called on me to see if I couldn't make them come across the truth." One of the three was a young man named Solito...he dominated the other two. I learned he that Solito had been married only a short while. I had an idea. Each day I took Giuseppe Solito for a walk, always passing his home on Mulberry Street." His wife, "was an extremely beautiful girl" and she would hang out her window exclaiming "Giuseppe! Mio Giuseppe!" so excited to see her new husband.

Giuseppe's response was more than predictable. "Please can I go upstairs?" Begging, "Just a little hour? No? Then perhaps a half-hour, fifteen minutes?, five minutes- one minute?" The commander, "Nothing doing. Giuseppe unless you tell the truth. Come along now." Day after day Giuseppe held strong. It looked as if the Commander's strategy was not going to work. Then a moment of surrender caught him by surprise. In front of his window on Mulberry Street, with his newlywed wife looking right at him, "I'll tell if you loet me go up". The Commander replied "Nothing doing yet. Giuseppe. Come clean, tell the district attorney, and after that the sky's the limit." And from then on the district attorney had his witnesses.

Omerta Scillitano - The Family Code of Honor. The Family Code of Silence.

“My kid brother Freddie told me the next morning about the shooting down the block. He came running to my house at 224 W. 25th Street and tumbled out a lot of stuff as kids will”

"Monday morning The Kid phoned me from a friend’s house up town at 123rd St. I went up there to see him. I went up to see him and he wanted to know what the best thing to do. He knew the coppers were picking up everybody that had a record or they could hang anything on...and that was the reason he slipped away. He had a record you know and had been around the pool parlor at No. 235 not long before the shooting took place." [Washington Post, May 28, 1915]

Johnny said, " He (Oresto) pasted a $2 bill on the mirror in the new place, you remember."

"The police began looking for me right away. I know that. But it took 3 days before they found out where I lived. There was a man on my heels every minute after that, but a lot of good it did them." -Johnny Shillitani via the Washington Post, May 28, 1915

"Cops or no cops, I didn’t fail once to keep any engagement I had with the Kid. The cops would try to stick with me, but they never did all the way through." -Johnny Shillitani via the Washington Post, May 28, 1915

About week and a half went by and the cops are getting really frustrated. There’s lots of heat on them to get my brother. The coppers tried everything. They lied and told me they know he’s innocent, but they want him to turn himself in to prove his innocence. Huh.

"They told me I've got $3000 you can have to help the Kid if he'll come in. I said I didn't want his money, not a nickel of it...They wanted me to sell me brother out. I told them there was nothing doing." -Johnny Shillitani via the New York Tribue, June 15, 1913

"Their messengers tried more than once to let me know that Commissioner Dougherty was willing to give me a sum of money. I told them every time go back and tell Mr. Dougherty that my brother is not cattle, and he is not for sale by me." -Johnny Shillitani via the New York Tribue, June 15, 1913

The coppers were getting desperate. They said they had evidence that could set him free but he’s gotta come in and verify it. I’m wiser than that old plan. I said, "OK then let me know what you got and I’ll tell what it is and we’ll go from there. The coppers didn’t even have a good answer for me."

The Kid was good for staying on the lam. He had $940 in his pocket and nobody had any idea where he was. [New York Times, June 15, 1913] Then he was told his father was arrested and indicted for complicity. Next they arrested this younger brother, Sam.

That’s when the Kid suggested Johnny go to the police and arrange everything to give himself up. He was determined to now turn himself, risk facing and rsik facing the Death Penalty to save his father.

The Kid had Johnny tell the cops what the conditions were. Johnny negotiated for The Kid, and the conditions for turning himself in. He arranged for the meeting place after there were several conditions met. First and foremost, The Commissioner would have to give his word that The Kid’s dad not be implicated regarding to the incident. Next, The Kid would have to be treated with respect and not abused by any of the cops. Lastly, his kid brother Sammy must be released on his burglary charges. [Washington Post, May 28, 1915]

The Kid arranged to turn himself in to rescue his father from jail and eventual death.

His father was arrested at midnight on May 9, 1913 and had been in jail since. [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, June 14, 1913]

The Kid's conditions that were met by the authorities read as follows:

1) Free our father immediately.

2) Exonerate our father from any charges regarding this matter

3) Free our brother Sammy. 

4) No disrespect in the handling of the Kid or his family.

Prior to turning Himself in

The Kid was smart… crazy smart. He arranged through Johnny, meeting a news reporter, and his photographer, right in front of the Tombs around 4 pm. The word was given to all three, Not a Word to anyone.

Johnny, along with the reporter, showed up right on time. Johnny was certain the Kid was ready to turn himself in and was prepared for the fall-out. But the "Kid" had a different idea. The Kid appears seemingly from nowhere and hands Johnny a piece of paper with the conditions of turning himself in.

He coolly and casually asks Johnny to put his back to the tombs and face the photographer. The Kid walks over and puts his arms around Johnny, asks him smile. and tells the photographer to take the picture. The Kid with Johnny, arm in arm, smiling, with the tombs, one of the busiest court houses in the U.S.A., as a setting in the background. All in broad daylight.

Johnny and the reporter must of thought what the hell is he doing? He's got every copper in New York got his eyes open to spot him and he's posing for picture right in front of the courthouse!

They must of thought The Kid was losing it. No, not the Kid. He had a plan. Take a picture of the two brothers arm in arm, smiling, right in front of the tombs. Put the picture on hold in case the coppers didn't hold true and give him a square deal. If the Commissioner and the boys did not come through on the deal, then he instructed the paper guy to release the picture and a story about how The Kid was seen hanging around the Tombs, right in under the coppers noses, with over a 1000 men still looking for him. The coppers would have no choice but to give him a 'square deal' or be publically humiliated. Any aspirations by top brass for higher offices would be crushed upon the release of those photos. The newspaper guy to gets a story, and Oresto has his insurance policy.

It was win-win for both parties. If the Deputy Commissioner holds true to the bargain, the newspaper guy gets the biggest story of the day ahead of time, and holds the tombs story. If The Deputy Commissioner unwisely decides to pull back on his deal, the newspaper guy was instructed to release the picture and story. This is not a plan of a dumb or crazy man

The heat was so high on the commissioner, the mayor, and the governor they agreed to the conditions.

The turning in of Oresto was arranged through his brother, Johnny, Lieutenant Riley, and Deputy Commissioner Dougherty. The arranged pick-up point was at 9:00am on June 14, 1913. The arranged location: Morningside Park at the corner Morningside Ave. and 123rd in the Morningside section of Harlem.

As it so happens, even in the corrupt circus of NYC, both Oresto Shillitani and Deputy Commissioner Dougherty were known to be men of their word. Whether they remain true to their character was yet to be seen.

"You don't shoot cops. Even I know that. The only one who doesn't seem to know that...is you." -Momma Lucas 

After the top brass had their go for a confession, it was time for the highly written about Detective Riley to get into action. They gave the Kid everything he wanted, now it was time for the 'third degree' from Lieutenant Riley.

Riley is hoping for a break with the Kid, but there was nothing doing. Three patrolmen waiting to open the door to take him inside the interrogation area. The Patrolmen walk him firmly but respectfully as promised. They escort Oresto into the interrogation room, a cold, eery, plain room. No windows, only 1 small table with 1 chair on each side and nothing on it's bare white walls.

Oreste is asked to sit. Everyone vacates the room as per the interrogation methods of the time. They leave him alone 'for a while' as the old "make 'em sweat" tactic. Detective Riley walks in with a pad of paper and pencil. The usual "I want you to come clean, you hear me? You need to come clean if you know what's good for you and your family." Just then three big detectives enter the room without a word and lean against the walls staring at The Kid.

The three big detectives look mean and angry about their fallen comrades. They begin to pull away from the walls and towards The Kid. The Kid does not look the bit intimidated. The Kid must of looked frustrated at the routine he had seen several times before.

Riley had received tremendous positive press for the arrest but that was not enough. The heat is on to close this case out. Riley leans over the table and looks down at The Kid. The usual come clean speech or we are going to make things very hard on you and you're family routine was most likely used. The lieutenant must of also threw in the "everyone on the streets will be better off," speech.

Roughing "The Kid" up had to been discussed. Most cops wanted to beat the confession out of him. They all thought with the Boys fists, a blackjack, and a hose we could get something outta him in less than an hour. But the Commissioner as it turns out was a man of his word...Even with street guys. The Commissioner knew that the Shillitoni's were a different breed, nothing was to be gained but a lot of heat from the press and the courts.

Detective Riley walks back in the interrogation room. The Kid looks sharp, attentive, and unaffected. Riley would use all his detective tools to nail this one. The psychological squeeze, letting the Kid know he is against impossible odds. That the police had Not 1, Not 2, Not 3 but 4 witnesses in detention, that said he did it.

Then the good guy technique; give your side of the story, so I can help you. The Kid didn't flinch. Not a word about that night was uttered.

After many was time to put The Kid in his cell at the Tombs. It was reported, the Gangster Original went whistling to his assigned cell on the 7th tier of the Tombs with his Father under arrest for complicity only two tiers down. Oresto announced to Asst. District Attorney Murphy that he knew his rights and there wasn't going to be any talkin' until his Attorney was present. [NY Times, June 15, 1913]

"I Don't want to be Fresh About it, but I Think I know what's best for me."

"His desire to obtain his father's release was the real reason for Shillitoni's ...Surrender. [NY Times, June 15, 1913]

The Manhattan House of Detention was the official name, but everyone in New York City called it the Tombs. It was located at 125 White St. at the corner of White and Centre. The Detention center earned it's moniker the Tombs due to the original building's Egyptian style of architecture. It was built on a freshwater pond that was back-filled and leveled with dirt. The job was hastily done, resulting in a swampy ground which invaded into it's granite foundation.

The Tombs' cells were in deplorable condition. Once entering the cell block the smell of filth and urine infiltrated your sinus cavity. It was a damp, musty, and filthy place. Notoriously over-crowded and under-staffed. It was originally designed to accommodate 300 prisoners with a maximum capacity supposed to be 350. The Tombs would regularly reach up to 2,000 prisoners. Rats in the cells were a common site. Food poisoning occurred on a regular basis. No Windows. No Running Water. Excrements into tin pails. Very little ventilation and temperatures soared into the high 90's during the summer months. There was just enough room in the cells for a man's cot. Not much room for anything else. [Dash, Mike. Satan's Circus. New York: Crown Publishing, 2007]

Noises penetrated the corridors 24 hours a day. Horrendous screaming, clanking of metal bars, crying, whining and other ghastly noises were always present. For most  novice criminals it was torture enough to end their lives of crime, but for The Kid it was just the way the environment was.

He slept like a baby regardless of the atrocious living conditions an awoke to a celebrity-like atmosphere. Hundreds of visitors were waiting for a chance to see him. A hundred notes waited for answers.

Across the way from the Tombs was the Manhattan Criminal Courts building. The two buildings were connected by a walkway that bridged across White and Centre. It was known as the Bridge of Sighs  to the many criminals that tread across it's tear soaked floors. Where the guilty headed back to their temporary cells awaiting shipment off to their new home in one of the state's notorious prisons.

New York Reporters clamoured for a chance to get some answers from the Kid.

Q. "Did you shoot Policemen Teare and Heaney?"

Q. "Did you shoot John Rizzo?"

The Kid must of shocked the reporters with how well he spoke English. (Not very common amongst the gangsters of the time).The Kid explained that he studied English at Cooper Union.

"Perhaps you thought Italians were low-down (var.), well, I hope you don't think so now."

"Why, I had $940 in my pocket when I was arrested?  I am a tailor by trade, and had my own shop. I saved my money; that's all."

Q. Why did you give yourself up?

"..Because my brother Johnnie advised it. That's all there was to it. They would have never caught me."

The Kid was booked and scheduled to plead his indictment before Judge Foster on the Monday following his arrest. [New York Times, June 15, 1913]

[Court of the General Sessions of the Peace, City and County of New York. The People against Oresto Shilitano alias Harry Shields. CASE #1844].

First and foremost items on the agenda for the prosecution were:

DAY 1: Securing the witnesses and Recruiting and securing men with the utmost and impeccable reputations for the jury. Doctors, lawyers, and bankers were sought after for their reputations and to limit the possibility of bribery.

Patrolman Assignment of Duty, New York City 12th Precinct, May 3, 1913

Officer William Heaney: His Shift 4pm - 12midnight; His Post Mulberry St between Spring and Bleecker.

Officer Charles H. Teare: His Shift 10pm-6am; His Post Mulberry St between Spring and Bleecker.

Witnesses for The People: Nellie De Carlo, Frank Chieffo, James Morelli, Gennaro Sellito, John Verno.

Frank Chieffo - 242 Mott St., Part of the "James Brandie Association", knew Oresto since he was a little boy. I lived in the same house as him. I was with Rizzo. Rizzo was in the saloon at 233 Mulberry St., then went to the pool hall at 235 Mulberry. Rizzo was wearing a shirt with black derby...no coat. I heard a shot, I saw Rizzo fall to the ground and I saw Oresto running up the street towards Prince street. They were about 6 feet away from eachother. He saw Officer Heaney across the street pulling on doors to make sure stores that were closed locked up. When the shot went off Officer Heaney tied the leather strap on his club around his hand and ran across the street. When Heaney was a bout five feet from Oresto a shot was fired and Heaney went down. Then a crowd came out and I couldn't see a thing.

Nellie De Carlo: Went to bed about 11:30pm.

James Morelli: 351 The Bowery. Chauffuer. I helped carry Rizzo's body into the hall at 235 Mulberry St.

Gennaro Sellitto: Oresto was 30 feet from Rizzo when the shots were fired. Teare was shot and
The First eye Witness of the crime called was one Gennaro Sellito of 230 Mulberry St. He was lucky enough to have do his brother a favor that night and cover his shift at the pool room. He testified he saw both Oresto and his father in the pool room that night.

District Attorney's Office of New York County
1.Charles S. Whitman - District Attorney (41st Governor of New York 1915-1918)
2.Isodor Wasservogel - Assistant District Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney (Elected to the Supreme Court bench in 1920)
3.Deacon Murphy - Deputy Assistant District Attorney

The Defense Team boasted an all-star staff of 5 attorneys, each with his own specialty. 

The Defense Team of Attorneys - Firm: Goldsmith, Koenig, & Sittenfeld

1.Samuel S. Koenig (Secretary of State of New York 1909-1910)
2.Goldsmith
3.Sittenfeld
4.Ogden L. Mills (State Senator 17th Dist. 1917; Chairman of Affairs of the City of New York 1917)
5.Frank Aranow

John Rizzo in the pool room that night? YES. Did you see Oresto and his father leave the pool room? YES. Did you see John Rizzo leave the pool room? NO. Were you a witness before the grand jury? YES I remember that. Did you testify before the grand jury that Rizzo left the pool room 5 minutes after the defendant and his father left the pool room? I did not see anybody at anytime leave the pool room.

Bailiff, Next Witness Nellie DiCarlo. Do you swear tell the truth and the whole truth so help you God? Nellie, I do. Nellie was a pretty 16 year old Italian Girl from the next door tenements to the saloon. She said she was looking out her window Saturday night. She saw The Kid’s father hand The Kid a shiny that looked like a gun. The Kid put the object up his sleeve and walked toward the saloon.

She testified that Russo walked outside the saloon and The Kid blasted him in front of 239 Mulberry Street, and then Russo lay listless on the ground in a pool of blood.

The Kid ignores his call. The young patrolman persists, drop the body and the gun or I’m gonna clobber you right on the noggin, he stated while waiving his night stick. The Kid ignores him. Because Nellie was the only one of 100’s of potential witnesses that was willing to testify, she was under protective custody of one detective Isabella Goodwin, at an undisclosed location.

Occurred at 11 o'clock at night when the street was crowded find brilliantly lighted from shop windows, few murders have presented such difficulties to the police and the district attorney. It was shown at the trial that the defendant's father, Michael Shillitoni, owns several tenements and business houses in Mulberry street.

Most of the witnesses for the defense either lived or worked in one of these places.

The police finally found Nellie Di Carlo, 18 years old, who testified, under the questioning of Assistant District Attorney Wasservogel that threats were made to prevent, her from giving information to the police; Her father, she said, tried to keep 'her from being an informer, The pressure became so great that she was sent to live at the home of Police Detective -Isabella Goodwin, who constantly guarded her.

The girl described every detail of the killing of the three men by Shillitoni.

Once shots were heard, Officer Heaney ran immediately to No. 235 Mulberry Street, the combination poolroom and cafe.

The defendant Shillitoni had "been in the neighboring, store or saloon, No. 233, and in there had seen Rizzo and a number of other men: Shillitoni left the store, went down the street in front of No. 241, which is where he lived, and took up his stand near the railing. Shortly after that, Rizzo came out of the poolroom at 235, walked down the street in front of No. 239. After a heated exchange of words and threats, Oresto pulls out a pistol from his pocket and drops Rizzo.

Closing Address from Lead Defense Attorney, Mr. Koenig:

"You have to obey the law of the land. The burden of proof is always on the prosecution...The Defendant need prove nothing. The defendant need do nothing. The burden is upon the people who make the charge, and now, gentlemen..."

"...would you, will you, can you, blot out a human life, a life breathed into the nostrils of this human being by the creator, the sole dispenser of life? The Responsibility is yours. Yours to save this life -- yours to destroy, to snuff it out, as one would a wax taper (wick). Beware of mistake. It can never be righted."

Closing Address from Assistant District Attorney Isidor Wasservogel:

"From the very beginning of this defense...the great power of Shilitano, the Elder, again became apparent."

"Just think of it gentlemen, father turned against daughter; brother against sister; wife against husband; mother against son. Is this natural gentleman? What is the influence that brings this about? "

"Gentlemen, I have often heard the expression and I know you have also, "The Fine Italian Hand", but I never knew its true meaning until we were in the midst of the trial of this case."

"Because which ever which way you turn in the consideration of the defense in this case, that fine Italian Hand is present and manifest. They (the Shilitanos)  bring into court a former Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Wright, of Corrections...to testify regarding the line-up. Commission Wright was only brought into this case to make another grand stand play, and his presence was another effort on the part of the defense to throw a little dust into your eyes."

"This crime was committed in the heart of the Italian Colony in this city. It was committed where this defendant's father (Michele) is a man of great influence, a man of power; this defendant's father, gentlemen, as has been testified in this case, is a man of wealth and the owner of considerable tenement property in the Italian Neighborhood."

 In the Court of General Sessions, on March 2, 1914, before Judge James T. Malone

[Court of General Sessions- The County of New York (215 N.Y. 715)  The People v. Oresto Shilitano Case #1844]

Life in The Death House; Sing Sing Prison, Ossining, NY

The Kid was transported from the Tombs to Sing Sing Prison. The most infamous prison that housed America's most notorious criminals. Frequently convicts that entered the prison were under the influence of drugs, but

"I am certain that it was impossible for inmates to obtain drugs at Sing Sing While I was Chief Physician." Dr. Squire 

The appropriately named new home is called The Death House. The Death House is a smaller replica of the main prison. There was a total of 18 cells in the house. The infamous green door is visible at the end of corridor where the cells are located. The door only opens to invite death or cart dead meat back in for a carving. An autopsy room was right outside the green door, and a small room for stove/oven named “chuck”.  and the The famous electric chair, "old Sparky" has a room all to itself. The Death House hosted New York's most dangerous prisoners throughout it's history. All it's killer tenants were in turn sentenced to their own deaths.

"I have been in the Death House for two years and in the that time I have not seen one ray of sunshine or had a chance to look at the stars or the moon." proclaimed one condemned man to a NY Times reporter. "The Death House is regular slaughterhouse...Seventeen men have gone away and let me tell you that is a mighty hard thing to see." On The night before a man's execution, is what the death house prisoners call a "living wake". "Each one of the prisoners reads a chapter in the bible, then someone suggests a song which we all know, and we sing it. These wakes last all night." [Maurice M. Lustig as spoken to The New York Times, July 10, 1912] 

The 'slaughter house' schedule is as follows: Every two weeks inmates are allowed to buy tobacco, and most death house inmates get their entire two supply then. Every Tuesday and Friday they get a shave. A haircut comes every six months. A bath comes only once a week. The bath is at the end of the death house in an open area. [Maurice M. Lustig as spoken to The New York Times, July 10, 1912] 

Three shifts of guards manned the Death House. Prison officials called them correction officers and sometimes Keepers. Convicts called them screws, bulls, or hacks. Guards were typically large men of German or Irish decent. Guards had to be physically intimidating since they would walk in and amongst the most notorious criminals in New York carrying only wooden clubs (since 1910). Pistols were banned from the facility due to a violent unsuccessful attempt to escape, whereby the inmate wrestled away the guard's pistol.

Principal Keeper Dorner would continually remind officers "Your uniform is the visible embodiment of the power and authority the state. Any challenge to the authority must be immediate, resolute, and absolute."

The Executioner at the prison was the person that actually threw "the switch" which turned on the large amounts of electricity to execute the inmate. There was only one person in this position at a time. Amazingly, The Executioner at the prison was not paid by salary. He was paid by commission, on a per job basis. The pay: $150 per execution.

Cells were 4 feet wide, 7 feet long, and 7 feet high. The was a tiny stool, a basin to wash up in, and a dented up tarnished tin cup to drink with. A very dim light bulb hung from the center of the cell and dangled 5 feet 10 inches off the ground. Oreste was one of the lucky ones that didn't hit his head on the bulb on a regular basis. Inmates were locked in their cells each with a bucket containing their feces from 5:30pm to the next morning. The foul smell was trapped in these poorly ventilated cells for the entire night. Drinking water was placed in a bucket next to their excrement which was easily contaminated and was the cause of many infectious disease outbreaks on Death Row.

Beds were made of vegetable fiber with gas piping frame. They were hinged to the walls and measured 2 feet wide and 5 feet 10 inches long. The Bath houses contained four showers of which never more then two worked at a time. The New York Central blew it's steam like clockwork everyday at the same time. The only way prisoners had a sense of time during the middle of the day.

All in all, there were 18 Death House cells each filled with victims of circumstance, whether it be drunken rage, cheating wife, abusive boss, un-compassionate landlord or just plain down on their luck. Most people on death row got their by circumstances, but weren’t cold blooded killers. The Kid was not like the rest. He was a killing machine when provoked.

The Death House at Sing Sing was a damp, ominous place. It was a death row inmate's permanent home, and final resting place. Most prisoners smoked incessantly, walked in circles, and talked to themselves before their scheduled execution. Mumbling to themselves throughout the day, about what shoulda happened, and what coulda happened. Neurotically, counting down the days to their death, over and over again. Not The Kid. He cooly and calmly settled into the Death House and made it a comfortable place to live. To The Kid, this place was just a temporary living place.

Oreste enters Sing Sing penitentiary in chains escorted by 4 guards. He walks through the welcoming sing sing archway that reads "All Hope Abandon Ye Who Enter Here".

The four guards then escort him through a series of iron barred gates. The first one clanks behind him leaving his freedom with it. After the third such iron gate it's time for the first stop. The bath room. There's a four guard escort to a bath that sits in a wide open room. Oreste enjoys a luke warm bath as four guards watch his every move. Oreste, "hey fellas, since you guys are just standing around, one of you screws wanna get my back?" Oreste lifts his arm with soap in hand and looks at the two guards standing at his back. Guards remain silent. The two behind him fold their arms.

While he's drying up another guard hands him his check-in prison package: Underwear, 1 pair of socks, a cotton shirt, a rough gray clothed prison suit, heavy prison shoes, a coat with 'State Prison' Embroidered across the front, a stiff and rough towel, and a cake of soap.

After the Kid dresses in his new duds he is escorted by two guards to the PK (The Principal Keeper). The PK hands him the rules, gives his marching orders for meals, rec time, and lights out. PK. The barber schedule is 1 time a month. Put in your written request for your shave. Only 1 shave per week (Inmates had the luxury of getting a shave because razors were not permitted anywhere in the cell block area. The PK reads with little enthusiasm.

The Sing Sing Prison's Death House visitation rules were as follows. Weekday Visits- Only 2 days a week. Any day except Thursdays; Sunday Visits - Only 2 Sundays a month. 2 hours maximum per visit. Passes for Sundays must be given to the Principal Keeper by Tuesday for and upcoming Sunday visit. All visitors must be fingerprinted. Persons allowed to visit are - Wife, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, In-Laws, Friends, and Kids. All Family members and friends must be fingerprinted and must have court order to visit.

Oreste is now escorted next door to the prison Chaplains office. Father Cashin was a tall long faced priest with round spectacles and a kindly manner. Father Cashin hands Oresto a Bible and the list of books in the prison library as he does with all death house inmates.

Next it's the quadruple team escort to the medical examination room. After a thorough examination and the filling out of form after form it was time for Oreste to be escort to his new home.

The Death House had it's own morse code system of communication at night. Guys would tap on the bars in set rhythms to communicate.

After breakfast they get time in the exercise yard. After lights out the Death House was a dark, dreary and lonely place. Occasional coughs, sighs, cries, and shuffling of feet periodically broke the eerie silence. Inmates of the Death House got to the exercise yard two times a day for 30 minutes each. After lights out the Death House was a dark, dreary and lonely place. Occasional coughs, sighs, cries, and shuffling of feet periodically broke the eery silence. Once after breakfast, and once after lunch.

An inmate on death row was not allowed to have or buy matches. The guards would spend a good time of the day lighting cigarettes for the death row inmates.

The rules of the Death House were very different and much tighter than the general population at the prison. Death row inmates did not leave their cells for meals, whereas the general population would go to the mess hall. Every meal was served through the bars of his cell and each inmate would eat in solitude. The same routine three times a day. No family. No big Italian meals. No homemade vino. A far cry from the big family meals that boasted some of the best Italian cooking this side of the Atlantic.

The illustrious tenants already caged here included Lieutenant Charles Becker convicted 10/1912, Appeal reveals bias by Judge 5/1913; Re-trial Convicted 5/1914; Executed 7/30/1915 (47 yrs old), Father Hans Schmidt Hung Jury first trial 10/1913; convicted 10/1914; executed 2/18/1916(33), Antonio 'Salem' Salemne (26), Guiseppe Marendi (28)(another gangster from Kings), Eng Hing (20), Ludwig Marquardt (51), Louis Roach (40), Antoni Impuellozzo (27), and Hymen Stransky (38). Guards D.J. McCarthy, Ernest Bullard and Charles Nichols. Warden Kirchwey was in office during the escape.

Shortly after his arrival two other high profile inmates arrived- One Charles Becker, and one Hans Schmidt. Becker was a convicted crooked cop that put a hit on a local gambling parlor owner who complained about his strong arm extortion tactics. Ironically the Kid’s cell was next to Becker. One a Cop Killer, and the other a Killer Cop. Schmidt was a convicted murdering priest. All three claimed their innocence to thwart their walk to the electric chair and became friends of circumstance.

Unbeknownst to The Kid, the rumor of the him coming to the Death House was of that of a coming celebrity. Most others in the death house were one time killers that killed in a bout of rage, jealousy, or to protect themselves and/or their images. Most claimed their innocence. More than half even had remorse. The Kid was a much different animal. He was a stoned cold killer. They all quietly watched his arrival.

Court of Appeals, People The State of New York vs. Oresto Shilitano (218 N.Y. 161) TR#2101; May 9,1916

As if this case wasn't colorful enough. The Judges opinions for concurrence and dissent were particularly interesting. Their opinions strongly reflect the truth in thoughts, without the need to be politically correct. Neither Magistrate felt a sympathy for the witnesses being squeezed from both ends, and most likely all fearing retribution from one side or the other. Their power at the time was immense. Such comments today, would surely have cost them their position in the courts. Of particular interest was the opinions of Judges JJ Seabury and J Cardozo.

Magistrate JJ Seabury

- Opinion of Witness' of Violence:

"Bearing in mind that witnesses to crimes of violence are often of low and degraded character. They are sometimes influenced by bribery and other improper considerations."

- Opinion of Witness' Recantation:

"...Prior to the trial and since the trial, vigorous efforts were unremittingly prosecuted by Johnny Shillitano to poison the wells of justice and that sinister means were used to involve these ignorant men in palpable contradiction...to assist the defendant"

- Final Opinion

'There were no errors of law which justify granting a new trial. The Guilt of the defendant is plainly evident. I vote in favor of affirming the Conviction.'

Magistrate J Cardozo

- Judging Witnesses:

"It is his (the trial judge's) duty to say whether they (the witnesses) were conscience-stricken penitents or criminal conspirators to defeat the ends of justice."

- The Buck Must Stop Here:

"I do not understand even the judges who think this judgment should be reversed. With such conflict of oaths, one should not abandon the search for truth. Turning it over to a jury is an easy escape. A trial judges duty is to try the facts and find where the truth likely lay. A judge is not at liberty to to shift upon the shoulders of another jury his own responsibility. That would have been to make the conspiracy triumph."

- Final Opinion

"I Concur with the Verdict."

On examination of the facts on appeal from a judgment entered upon a verdict convicting the defendant of the crime of murder in the first degree the rulings are as follows:

1) Request to impeach testimony of a witness by submission of own affidavits does not over-ride the oral examination by a trial Judge of the witness. The trial Judge held that it was plainly evident the defendant was guilty. No legal grounds for granting new trial is presented.

2) Request to recant witness testimony is not accepted. The testimony at trial is taken to be true as opposed to recantation at later date. The actions of the defendant’s, brother, attorney, and father clearly show the efforts to coerce witness.

In conclusion, there is no legal ground for granting new trial. Motion DENIED.As fate would have the district attorney on the case is planning to run for Governor and would stop at nothing to bolster his resume. He would not let down the heat on this case until a guilty verdict was a lock. He eventually won the campaign for Governor and would deny The Kid’s request for reprieve or retrial.

Issues Often Cited in this Case:

Recantation by Witnesses. Coercing witnesses. Subversive to proper administration of justice. Suppressing evidence against the defendant by sinister means. Nellie DeCarlo, Gennaro Sellitto, John Verno, Frank Chieffo, James Morelli recant. Guiseppe DeCarlo father. Sellitto and Verno accuse officers of improper influence. Chieffo states he was induced to recant by threats of murder. The wife of Sellitto, Angelina testified that Angelina Shillitani gave her money. Victim Rizzo shot Ralph Lorito, a friend of Nellie DeCarlos 

J. Seabury: Affirm conviction. J. Cardoza: Affirm conviction. JJ Hogan Dissents. All three victims had .38 caliber bullets from the same gun. Verno served a term at the Elmira Reformatory under a joint judgment -

[Court of Appeals, People The State of New York vs. Oresto Shilitano (218 N.Y. 161) TR#2101; May 9,1916]

An article released by the Washington Post, displayed a large half page article about the Recantation of Witnesses, in Oresto's Appeal. It is in this article we first see a clear picture of the organization Oresto and his Family belong to.

Is it the fear of an organization as terrible and relentless as the dreaded Camorra...or is it truly a determination not to let a fellow human being suffer unjustly?  [Mar 28, 1915, Washington Post]

What exactly is the Camorra? And what areas does it cover? How does it compare to the Mafia? Is it a Mafia? Is it the Mafia? How important in the Camorra Hierarchy is Oresto's Family? This was an immediate precedence for the examination of Oresto and the rest of his family.

"La Mala Vita" or "Malavita". "The Evil Life" or "The Bad Life".

Since the 1800s, the two largest Italian Secret Societies are the Sicilian Mafia and The Camorra. These two organizations have infiltrated every social and economic aspect of Italian life. In the U.S.,  only one is widely known and a media magnet for news and information...the Sicilian Mafia. At the very fringe of obscurity in America, is one of the most notorious and widespread of all secret societies...The Camorra. What is the Camorra, one might ask. The most simple and easiest explanation goes as follows: The Camorra is to Naples and the Mainland of Italy, as The Mafia is to Sicily.

Camorra (Neapolitan Secret Society) Brethren of The Dagger

The Secret Camorra Society may have dated back to 1575 AD [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 21, 1912] known then as the "Honorable Society" and to it's members as "La Sugleta Annurata" in Naples, Italy. But it's roots may go back even further to the Spanish Rule in the early 1400s. The Camorra was an organization steeped in the traditions of oath, honor, and respect.

The real Camorrista, the traditional Camorrista, was a knight defending his honor and the honor amongst those around him. It was pure chivalry, avenging the misdeeds of foreign tyrannical governments. The society was born from the oppressions, mistreatments, unfair taxations, and the unilateral, and brutal enforcement of unjust laws imposed by foreign invaders upon the people of Italy. These guys were real life swashbucklers, part pirate, part gangster, part sheriff, part knight and part patriots that even went to church on Sundays.

Because it was a natural thing for the people of Sothern Italy to distrust and dislike the laws, the government, and the enforcement, they took justice into their own hands. Many looked to the Camorra, their fellow countrymen, to right the wrongs committed against them.  In these time periods, it was said the common citizen, and common businessman, actively sought out the help of the society, and gladly paid the protection fees associated with such protection.

And hence a Society was born. Defending it's countrymen and it's members.  Bonded with absolute strength, and the hardness of a rock by the blood of fallen countrymen. They were the toughest and baddest of men with extreme convictions.  [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 21, 1912] 

The foundation of the Camorra is it's oath and it's code.  [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 21, 1912] 

The Camorra Oath: 1) Loyalty to The Brethren. 2) Obedience to Superiors. 3) Secrecy about The Brotherhood.

Violation of Oath: Punishable by death...No Reprieves...No Re-Trials.

The Camorra Financial Code: Any and All funds are to be divided as follows:

1. The Police
2. The Members in Jail
3. The Aged
4. Widows and Orphans of those who had died in the cause of a crime
5. The Higher Officers
6. The Shrine of the Saint (Usually Gennaro)
7. The men who do the dirty work

[Train, Arthur. Courts, Criminals, and The Camorra. Miami, FL: Hardpress Publishing, 1912]

When these codes were followed there was great peace and prosperity within the Brotherhood.

At the heart of a Camorrista's persona, he was religiously superstitious...and superstitiously religious. Meetings would be held in churches, where they would worship, pray, and plan for the crimes in the upcoming week. The clergymen loved them, as the Camorra were lavish tithers to the churches of their choosing. The Camorrista strongly felt God would be in their favor, as they were good family men, attended church regularly, and contributed lavishly to their parish. [Nelli, Humbert S. The Business of Crime. Chicago, IL: Oxford University Press, 1976]

They were masters of the victimless crimes. And gave the people what they wanted (Gambling, Booze, Lottery, Policy, Dice, Cards, Protection, Collection etc.) and lived modestly so they can give a part of the spoils back to the poor and aged in their communities. 

In time (mid-1800s) the Camorra strayed from it's roots and obtained a Camorrista Style that could be recognized by his red neck tie which had it loose tails flung over his shoulder, brass rings  on most (or all) of his fingers, a multicolored sash, and a cane loaded also with brass rings. A less than low profile to say the least. A scar across the face and tattoos were also prominent on your Camorrista of the day. One would have the need to live the "Mala Vita" and be a "Bad Man" to think of joining the dreaded Camorra. [Contemporary Review (1891) ]

The origin of it's meaning, Camorra, interestingly enough is still unclear and remains a secret til this day. What we do know is that the name 'Camorra' first appears publically in 1820 in Naples, IT. But we know the society existed well before this. It may have existed under one or more of many society names over the centuries. The codes, the traditions, and the ceremonies  are very similar to Spanish raiders of the 1400s and may have been assimilated into Italian culture during the Spanish occupation of Naples. Author Arthur Train, believes the origin of 'Camorra' derives from the word 'gamura', which was the large cloak worn by Spanish raiders.

Another group of historians strongly believe it stems from the gambling houses first established in which the boss was "capo" and the card game was "Morra". According to these historians, over time Capo-morra was eventually shortened to camorra. The secrets kept by the old and traditional Camorra still remain a secret today.  [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 21, 1912] 

The Camorra had their own signs and language. If they so choose, can carry on in a tavern discussing previous crimes, or planning a future murder, without saying a word. But if they choose to speak, some say the Camorrista had his own exclusive use of around 5000 words. Many of the traditionals would speak in a smooth, fluent and poetic way. But it was only this way on the surface. Hidden in an eloquent stanza, would frequently be orders to kill, details of a murder, or instructions given to a crime.  An example passage of an actual Camorrista given by author Arthur Train in his book Courts Criminals and the Camorra, goes as follows:

The violets are out, Water for the beans, I have pruned my garden, How beautiful is the sun, So many fine sheep are passing

TRANSLATION (Loose): My wife is no longer. She is dead and buried. I have rid the boredom. It is good to be free. There are many fine women now available to me.

A contractor, many years after her death, found her corpse while repairing the walls in a home they once lived in. An old Camorrist had kept a diary of the ancient symbols used by his brotherhood and included this fine poem within. And upon investigation, this poem was found, and he incriminated himself of his wife's murder.

The initiation into the Camorra brotherhood was process and a ceremony that was strictly adhered to according to the fathers before them.

Initiation into the Camorra

Oath to The Brethren: First, No Brawling in the Public Streets. Second, Respect the Novices and they instructions they give. Thirdly, Obey wholeheartedly our professed members and carry-out their commission.

The Blood Ceremony: Blood is drawn from each member of the Assembly. The Initiate must taste the blood of each and every member.

Battle of Daggers (Duel): Now that he is filled with the taste of their blood he must report to the "Capo Di  Tiranta" (Master of Combat) to prepare for battle. He must duel a dagger champion picked by the Capo di Tiranta until blood is drawn. The victor must suck the blood of the loser and reconcile with traditional Italian kiss. If the initiate loses he must continue on to another champion until he wins. [Train, Arthur. Courts, Criminals, and The Camorra. Miami, FL: Hardpress Publishing, 1912]

The Final Step - Tattoo: The last step of initiation is the tattoo. Tattoos of two hearts joined together each with a key for each heart on the arm was common. Signifying the Heart to be big and bound to your Brethren and locked to all others. A heart with upside down crucifix impaled through it, was also a popular Camorrista tattoo. And finally the Spider, representing the secrecy and silence in which he weaves around his victim. Over years there may be a line representing initiation, and a dot placed over when inducted. Women typically had a purplish dot below the eye. [Train, Arthur. Courts, Criminals, and The Camorra. Miami, FL: Hardpress Publishing, 1912]

The Camorra was a very disciplined and formidable society. The head of all is the "capo intesta", there are district heads, full members, recruits, and basistas (affiliates) that help plan and facilitate activities. [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 21, 1912] 

The Society Organizational Chart

TOP: Cap' in Testa (or sometimes Capo Maestra)

LEVEL 3: Capo Paranza - District Leader

LEVEL 2: Picciotti - Experienced Member

LEVEL 1: Garzone - New Member or Initiate

ASSOCIATES: Basistas - Important non-initiated members that worked in government, police, schools, accountants and coordinated operations.

[Train, Arthur. Courts, Criminals, and The Camorra. Miami, FL: Hardpress Publishing, 1912]

Knives (Daggers) of The Camorra

Triangolo - The Murder Knife

'O zumpafuoosso - Deadly Duel Knife

Settesoldi - The Scarring and Ceremony Knife

The Sfregio: a sign of dishonor. A deep scar gauged in the face of an opponent or adversary designed to make them "lose face". An offense to a Camorrista's prestige, or territorial authority would warrant such a branding.  (ie Al Capone, Ralph Daniello) [Train, Arthur. Courts,Criminals, and The Camorra. Miami, FL: Hardpress Publishing, 1912]

"Honey, you got a nice a** and I mean that as a compliment, believe me"

Although there exists many accounts of the fight between Frank Galluccio and Alfonse Capone, the one that seems most plausible and logical goes as follows:

Galluccio saw Capone walking towards him, Galluccio pulled out a knife with a sharp four inch blade and slashed Al's left cheek

Capone required up to 30 stitches at Coney island hospital. Capone himself, gave many different accounts of this same story, one said Galluccio was going for the throat, another said capone turned away and his face was sliced inadvertantly. One of the many accounts by Capone was that his scar was a reminder of his service in France in the "Lost Battalion" during World War I.

After the incident;

Galluccio had a sitdown with the New York bosses and Capone was warned by the underworld

not to attempt retribution for the slashing. It was him, and him alone, that was at fault.  Insulting Galluccio's sister was an actionable cause and the slashing was justifiable. Capone agreed and apologized for insulting his sister. Galluccio did feel bad for scarring Capone, but did what he felt was right in protecting his sister's honor. Capone later hires Galluccio as one of bodyguards for his display of toughness. [Al Capone's Museum, My -online]

The scar on Al Capone's face was not an accident, or an errant strike, as some accounts profess. It seems obvious, it was use of Sfregio, the ancient tradition of the Camorra, to dishonor Capone with a slash in the face for disrespecting a member of Galluccio's family, violating Galluccio's "rights/territory". [Gambino.com]

Capone would go on to live the rest of his life marked by Sfregio, A Camorran sign of dishonor.

There were two integral parts that had to become incorporated in order for the brotherhood to not just survive, but thrive. The incorporation of the "High Camorra" or Camorra Elegante had to mesh with the Camorra Bassa. The organization included a new circle of affiliated members which were from the higher walks of life, Lawyers, Politicians, Teachers, News Reporters, and Judges. They were not official initiated members but had the protections of one. This powerful combination of legislative, judicial, and enforcement made the Camorra a force to be reckoned with. [Nelli, Humbert S. The Business of Crime. Chicago, IL: Oxford University Press, 1976]

No living soul escapes their watchfulness. They have spies everywhere, in every rank of life. They know who's coming. And they know who's going. Nobody escapes their eyes. One may live near or work next to a Camorrista for years, without ever suspecting a thing. The Camorra weaves it's net-work over the entire country. Crime is an absolute monopoly. No unaffiliated rogue is allowed to exist. Politically The Camorras power is immense.

Murder is used when necessary. It Is invariably resorted to punish traitors and to execute vengeance, and Is on occasions undertaken for pay. For suspected traitors death is not only Inevitable, but very swift. So, too, is vengeance.

The cities are divided into districts, and each district is again sub-divided. There are leaders of the sub-divisions, each reports to their district leader or chief. One member recognizes another by certain words and signs, but none except the most important know much about the organization.

It took a special Camorrista to become a long-standing District Chieftain.   There are no elections. The leader was the one that commanded the most respect from the men. The one whom has the presence and personality that stands out among the others. He who can plan well and have men obey his commands willingly would be the Leader. That being said, respect, personality and/or camaraderie is what gets a man into the leadership position, but the one that has the ability to make money, and distribute it properly, is the one that enjoys the lengthiest tenure. [Train, Arthur. Courts, Criminals, and The Camorra. Miami, FL: Hardpress Publishing, 1912]

Over time, as with many groups, the traditions were lost. It was those that were greedy, those that thought themselves above the Brethren, those that broke the code of silence, and those that committed heinous crimes against their own people, tore it's membership apart from the head down to it's toes. The Secret Society of The Camorra had times in it's past where it nearly met it's extinction.

The Camorra in America, 1890s-1900s: A Padrone is 'A Man' that Manages Men

What are, and who are, the secretive yet powerful Padrones? In this time period, the meaning of Padrone had an entirely different meaning then the  Padrone that was defined in 1917. Some of the traditional men, that still walked amongst the Camorra, would come to America in the two decades from 1885-1905. The Padrone System was manifested through the needed services of countrymen looking for work in America, and over-time came

In the last decade of the 1800s and into the first decade of the 1900s, a Padrone was a provider of passage,  a provider of lodging, and a provider of work. Many Padrone charged 10%-15% of the wages, and the fees for transportation, lodging, and food.

With the illiteracy rate in Southern Italy at 57.4% (1899) [The Padrone System] and next to no one speaking the English language, Southern Italians sought the only services available to help them get into the US with room, board, and a job. 

The Padrones used their own capital and fronted their services to most countrymen. It was a needed service, that was provided in times of need. The Honorable Padrone did not take advantage of his countrymen. But some did. And like in any business, the abuses got great publicity and the American politicians would soon enact laws to stop the practice. After utterly vilifying the system of the Padrone, it would almost disappear by year 1910. [Annals of America, Vol 12, 1895-1904.]and the services would soon come to an end. [New York Times, February 21, 1885] [Reports of The Industrial Commission on Immigration and Education, 1901 "The Padrone System"].

The Padroni activities, responsibilities, and power would evolve with time. As truth would have it, the Padrone system turned out to be no where near as lucrative a business as many other enterprises available in America.

As time progressed, the Padroni became powerful overlords of their designated territories and most had their hands in every activity conducted in their area. They were the all powerful and secretive wizard that controlled business and local government, yet many of their names remained shrouded in mystery, to the common citizen. The Padrones all knew each other, respected each other, and held each others territory, sacred and untouchable.

The Camorra in America, 1900s-1930s: A Padrone is 'The Man' among Men in NYC

The American Camorra was not a street gang. But it is a clannish crime group that ran it's operations closely with affiliated street gangs. The structure of the American Camorra emulated the "ring" structure of it's Italian brethren. In that it secured the services of affiliates outside the brotherhood, in high places, to facilitate it's goals. Such as the connections within the Police Department, Tammany Hall, Magistrates, Lawyers, Physicians, Professors and many other reputable occupations.

Many of the Camorristas swaggered the streets of New York City with names like, "The Barber", The "Butcher", The "Shoemaker", "The Grand Master", and "The Paper Box Kid". Named after the actual occupation once worked, or store front they currently operated out of. A far cry from the derogatory names the Sicilians would give their brethren. "Clutch Hand", "Three Finger Brown", "The Wolf" named after a physical handicap, or a habit of preying on weaker souls.

The "Black Hand" was a group often confused as being part of the Camorra. But the classic Camorrista would have been greatly insulted to be associated with such a low down criminal. The Camorrista thought himself from an ancient and honorable profession. And he was not a blood sucking parasite or a common criminal. And the record would show, the Camorra was not part of this ugly group, it was the Mafia that was behind it's treachery.

According to the FBI, The Camorra finances itself through drug trafficking/distribution, cigarette smuggling, people smuggling, kidnapping, blackmail, bribery, prostitution, toxic waste disposal, waste management, construction, counterfeiting, loan sharking, money laundering, illegal immigration, illegal gambling, robbery, arms smuggling, extortion, protection, political corruption, and racketeering and its activities have led to high levels of murder in the areas in which it operates. It is one of the oldest and largest criminal organizations in Italy.

Compared to the Sicilian Cosa Nostra's pyramidal structure, the Camorra has more of a 'horizontal' than a 'vertical' structure. As a result, individual Camorra clans act independently of each other, and are more prone to feuding among themselves. This however makes the Camorra more resilient when top leaders are arrested or killed, with new clans and organizations germinating out of the stumps of old ones. [FBI files, About Italian Organized Crime]

Today, The Camorra has more than 100 clans and approximately 7,000 members, making it the largest of the Italian organized crime groups. Also Called the Secondigliano Alliance by the insiders. It is estimated that the Camorra out number the Sicilian Mafia 5:1 and the "Ndrangheta 8:1. [Saviano, Roberto. Gamorrah 2006]

The American Mafia-Camorra War

After Things have gone from bad to worse, the cycle will repeat itself 

"The arrangement of the condemned cells was barbarous" - Dr Squire. About the same time the Kid received the bad news from his Appeals case, two inmates were executed, one being Roy Champlain, the other Giovanni Supe, an inmate that The Kid had become friendly with. The infamous green door that leads to the execution chamber was only a few feet from where the condemned were housed. Men awaiting execution can hear everything that went on in the chamber, even down to the last words spoken. [Squire, Amos Osborne. Sing Sing Doctor, Madison, Wis.:Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1935]. 

At the time, it was New York State law that the chief physician conduct an autopsy immediately after every person that had been electrocuted. This autopsy also required an examination of the brain, which required the removal of the top of the skull. The autopsy room was gruesomely located inside the condemned men's cell block. Because the autopsy room was small and frequently had 2-4 assisting with autopsy the door was always left open due to the temperature and the smell.

"The most Horrible Thing on Earth was the sound of that Saw." 

Dr. Squire began performing his post-mortem. His powered saw made an eery high pitched noise as he cut into the deceased's skull. With each cut the pitched sound changed higher on the pulling up and the whining-high pitch returned as he cut further across the skull cap- just then the unmistakable smell of burnt skull permeated the death house corridors, and creeped into the condemend cells. This incessant noise and grotesque smell, sparked off The Kid going absolutely crazy in his cell. Dr. Squire heard wood being smashed, pounding, beating, breaking and screaming with noises at a far higher volume than his saw. The Kid had smashed his stool in pieces, ripped his wash sink out of the wall, and tore his bed to shreds. At first the others were watching in awe, and then the other condemned inmates joined in smashing and breaking things in their cells. [Squire, Amos Osborne. Sing Sing Doctor, Madison, Wis.:Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1935]

"Stay here!, I ordered. I'm going after help!" In the turrets above the outer walls were armed guards with standing orders to Shoot on Sight any persons prowling about in the dark.

If they mistook me for a convict My Goose would be Cooked.

"The execution and autopsies of Champlain and Supe coming so soon after the denial of his appeal had driven him into a state of Acute Hysteria." said Dr. Squire regarding Oresto's condition. The guards had to seize him and put him a straight-jacket, where he was removed from his cell and placed in an isolated padded cell.

Each day I would visit him, he would tear out his hair, knock his head against the bars and make wretched inhumane noises. -Dr. Amos Squire

"For many nights it was necessary for to me to give hypodermic injections of hyocine in order to quiet him." From that day on, The Kid would violently thrash about his cell and carry on with loud, hideous sounds. He earned many trips to the cooler which never seemed to bother him. The isolation cells, guards called the 'booby hatch', and convicts called 'the cooler', were airless, pitch black, padded vaults. The doors were grated strips of thick, heavy iron woven tight so as to let little light in. All furniture was removed including the bed. Inmates slept on the floor and were left with a couple slices of bread and the same old tin cup filled with only 2 inches of water every 24 hours. Washing was strictly forbidden.

A stint in the cooler has broken many a man...Not The Kid. He had a plan and nothing was getting in his way. A pipe with a 2 inch diameter through the ceiling and the small spaces between the heavy iron planks provide very limited ventilation.

The Kid's bouts were so maniacal,  so utterly crazy, most men were thoroughly convinced of his insanity. Many times, The Kid was removed from his cell wearing a straight jacket. Sometimes they would leave him in his 'booby suit' for hours at a time in the cooler. When things seemed calm they would eventually place him in his cooler jump suit.

"You'll get yours in 24 hours."

"Shillitoni, this is about the first really crazy statement you have made since you've been with us."

"If he had shot me then he would have spoiled his chances of getting out of the death house.  He was sane enough to figure that out alright."

Ms. Elaine was fully aware of the situation that stood before her. She composed herself and quickly devised a plan to stall the escaped convict that was easily within his killing range. Some accounts had him sitting with his legs crossed, still practically naked- dripping wet in his underwear, and casually flipping through a newspaper while he waited for clothes and a pair of shoes.

She went upstairs and returned with 1 shoe for The Kid, "What good is one shoe?" he exploded. Ms. Elaine in her calming voice "That's alright, that's alright. I am going to find you another one somewhere-you get into this one quickly while I'm hunting for another one."  [pg 165-166, Squire, Amos Osborne. Sing Sing Doctor].

"Get Movin, I ain't got all night." Oresto barked at the seemingly compliant nurse. She brought clothes one item at a time. First a shirt, thensocks, and then a jacket. [The American Weekly, May 4, 1952]

"I gotta have pants!" Oresto's voice now becoming a menacing growl. [The American Weekly, May 4, 1952]

While the Kid is now lacing up his one shoe, Ms Elaine went to the hospital telephone and called the prison, "I think the escaped prisoner you're looking for is downstairs in the hospital. I'll try and hold him until you get here." She would go on with further delays pretending she had to sneak in and get articles of clothing from sleeping patients rooms.

With one shoe laced up, The Kid went back to reading his newspaper patiently, revolver on table by his side, and Sing Sing's Siren blaring in the background. In the nick of time, before The Kid was ready to blow his top, Prison guards armed with shotguns and Local Police surrounded the hospital. The Kid knowing that his goose was cooked, feigned madness once again and asked for his room key politely as if he was staying in a hotel. [Squire, Amos Osborne. Sing Sing Doctor]

The Kid was brought back to a padded death house in utter chaos. Doctor Squire was attending to the wounded guards and then had to examine the Kid. Immediately upon the Doc entering the cell, The Kid congenially greets him, "You are sure one lucky guy, Doc" (pg 167, Squire, Amos Osborne. Sing Sing Doctor). The Kid went on to tell Doc Squire that he had been expecting him to show up as usual that night and that if the Doc had he would have killed him. This The Kid goes on to explain,  for the Doctor not declaring him insane. [The Evening Post June 22, 1916]

The Kid stunned and amazed Dr. Squire with his frankness. "The Kid", Dr Squire quipped even "grinned at me from behind the bars." After the shock wore off Dr. Squire, The Kid went on to confess that he regretted killing McCarthy, and that he was ready to die for that. But, The Kid still insisted he was innocent for the crime which he had been convicted.

"I was sacrificed for the killing of the two police officers and Rizzo, just so three other police officers could get promoted." The Kid goes, "They fooled me. They promised me they would let me go. and told me they were only arresting me to make a showing because the newspapers had said so much about the case."

Confession about how he got the gun: He said the revolver and the cartridges were given to him about a year prior by a man in the condemned cells and he kept it hidden all this time.

Dr. Squire believed this to be a deception to keep his visiting sister-in-law out of trouble. [Squire, Amos Osborne. Sing Sing Doctor, Madison, Wis.:Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1935]

There were only two successful escapes from Sing Sings old Death House. Two inmates over–powered two guards and wrestled away their weapons. They demanded the keys at gunpoint and successfully got past all doors out to the yard. Scaled the prison wall and headed towards a moored small boat in the Hudson River.

Hours later, downriver the boat was found floating bottom up. Both men were found shortly thereafter washed along the river bank. Both men had mortal bullet wounds rumored to be from shots fired by guards. Officially their deaths were never solved. And the other was the Kid. The only inmate to ever make it down river alive.

Sing Sing’s death house was billed as the world’s most escape proof prison. Headlines read “THE PAPER BOX KID SHOOTS GUARDS, ESCAPES” The Kid took advantage of a guard's kindness and used a lot of ingenuity and agility. His bouts of feigned insanity didn’t get him out of his date with the electric chair, it did get him transferred to his own private cell area.

One would ask, and rightly so, how is it that this phenomenal escape story, a once in a lifetime event occur, without spectacular infamy and wide-spread news coverage? The answer may lie in the fact that the newspapershad a bigger news story to report.

The headlines that splashed across the U.S. the next morning read- "War has Begun!". United States loses 98 soldiers on the Mexican border. [The American Weekly, May 4, 1952]

Arrest: February 15, 1917, Sam Shieldiani, Felonious Assault.

Sentence: Case Discharged [FBI Memorandum Dated January 6, 1958]

Arrest: September 10, 1923 Felonious Assault with weapon (gun).

Sentence: Case Dismissed [FBI Memorandum Dated January 6, 1958]

Arrest: June 16, 1933 Felonious Assault. Arrested and Charged.

Sentence: Indictment Dismissed [FBI Memorandum Dated January 6, 1958]

Arrest: May 10, 1944 Bookmaking.

Sentence: Case Dismissed. [The Sun, January 25, 1945]

Timeline

1899 3 Jan: Birth. 241 Mulberry St., New York, New York, United States

1910 1 Jun: Residence. 241 Mulberry St., Manhattan Ward 14, New York, New York USA. Age: 11. Relation to Head of House: Son. 1910 US Census

1913 20 May: Arrested. 241 Mulberry St., Manhattan Ward 14, New York, New York USA. Age: 14."Arrest Scillintani Boy". New York Times, May 21, 1913. Children's Court . Put on Probation May 25, 1913.

1915 1 Jun: Residence. 241 Mulberry St,, New York, New York, United States. Age: 16; Relationship: Son. Occupation: Truck Driver; 1915 NY State Census.

1917 15 Feb: Arrested. New York City, New York, USA. Age: 18. Felonious Assault. DISCHARGED. FBI Memorandum Dated January 6, 1958.

1922 12 Oct: Shot. 235 Mulberry St., New York City, New York, USA. Age: 23. "Cousins Shot Near Old Murder Spot". His Cousin of the same name was shot in the back. The Evening Telegram, Oct 12, 1922.

1923 10 Sep: Arrested. New York City, New York, USA. Age: 24. Felonious Assault with a Firearm. CHARGES DISMISSED. FBI Memorandum Dated January 6, 1958.

1925 01 Jun: Residence. 241 Mulberry St., New York, New York, United States. Age: 26; Relationship: Son; Occupation: Salesman; 1925 NY State Census.

1927 28 May: Marriage to Nicolena R Cioffi. Manhattan, New York, USA. Age: 28 New York, New York, Marriage Indexes 1866-1937. Cert# 16966.

1930 01 Jun: Residence. 241 Mulberry St., New York, New York United States. Age: 30; Realationship: Son; Occupation: Garage Manager; 1930 US Census.

1930: Divorce Nicolena R Cioffi. New York, New York, USA. Age: 31.

1931 01 Jan: Relationship Partner Virgie Biondi. New York, New York, USA. Age: 32.

1933 16 Jun: Arrested. New York, New York, USA. Age: 34. Assault. CHARGES DISMISSED. B#43737. FBI Memorandum Dated January 6, 1958.

1934 15 Jan: Indicted. New York, New York, USA. Age: 35. Felonious Assault. CHARGES DISMISSED. B#43737. FBI Memorandum Dated January 6, 1958.

1935 - 1945: Co-Owner World Laundry Service. 227 Mulberry St., New York City, New York, USA. Age: 36. Social Security Number Application. Business Name where Employed: World Laundry Service 12/5/1936

1936 02 Dec: Application Social Security Number. Form SS-5 Treasury Dept., Samuel Shillitani 10 Monroe St., NY, NY. World Laundry Service. 089-01-6148.

1936 - 1945: Residence Summer. 65 W. Penn St., Long Beach, New York USA. Age: 37. Films, Photos, Sammy's Niece. c1935-c1945. Armand Chankelian.

1940 01 Apr: Residence. 10 Monroe St., Knickerbocker Village,, New York City, New York, USA. Age: 41. Marital Status: Married; Relation: Head; Occupation: Propietor Restaurant; 1940 US Census.

1940 - 1945: Owner Golden Palms Restaurant. 1692 Broadway, New York City, New York USA. Age: 41. Luchese (aka Tommy Brown) Testimony to the United States Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime otherwise known as the Kefauver Committee after Senator Estes Kefauver. At the Golden Palms "Moretti gives Money to Luchese then gives money to Shillitani." NY Times Nov 22, 1952

1944 01 Nov: Arrested. New York City, New York, USA. Age: 45. Bookmaking. CHARGES DISMISSED. Court Orders Phones Restored

1945 25 Jan: Arrested. New York City, New York, USA. Age: 46. Court orders Phones Restored to Sammy Shillitani. NY Sun Jan 25, 1945. New York Post, Jan 25, 1945.

1945 28 Jan: La Guardia Radio Show. New York City, New York, USA. Age: 46. La Guardia Rant Sammy Shillitani

1945 01 Jun: Residence. 319 W. 107th St., New York City, New York, USA Age: 46

1945 - 1957: Co-Owner Alfredos Restaurant. 1692 Broadway, New York City, New York USA. Age: 46. per Resume of his Nephew John Scillitani (Alfredo's Son)

1950 circa: Residence. 210 W 55th St. The Woodward Hotel, New York City, New York USA. Age: 51. per Virgie Shillitani's Niece and Family Photos.

1954 02 Aug: Residence Summer: 69 Jackson St., Saratoga Springs, Saratoga, New York, USA. Age: 55. "Regular Cottager" The Saratogan, August 2, 1954.

1954 - 1977: Co-Owner Ravel Perfume Corp NY. 23rd St. (?), New York City, New York, USA. Age: 55. Family Knowledge, Virge's Niece. Corporate Seal (1954)

1957 - 2000: Residence. 7553 Hispanola Ave., Miami Beach, Florida, USA. Age: 58. U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989, Family Photos, Family Knowledge.

1958 6 Jan: FBI MEMO RE Apalachin Round-up. Apalachin, Tioga, New York, USA. Age: 59. FBI Memo Regarding Report Sam Shields being at meeting. Then later retracted as mistaken identity.

2000 30 Aug: Death. 7553 Hispanola Ave, North Bay Village, FL, 33141-4119. AGE 101 years old. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current.

2000 04 Sep: Burial. North Miami, Miami-Dade, Florida, USA. Southern Memorial Park, Entombment, Death Cert.]

Biographies of The Associates of Sammy Shields

According to a FBI Memorandum written in 1958, Sammy Shields Associated withthe likes of Frank Garofalo, Carmine Galante, and Mike Miranda. These were some of the most respected and toughest guys the mafia had ever seen. Their stories are below. [FBI Memorandum Dated January 6, 1958 RE: Sammy Shillitani.

Jack Joseph Amiel

Owner of 1951 Kentucky Derby Winner- Count Turf and a partner in Jack Dempsey's restaurant in Times Square. He also had a number of other successful race horses, including Mr. Turf. He was a wealthy restaurant owner and ran a commercial real-estate business in the early 1940's.

Armand Chankalian

Nov 14, 1952, New York Journal American: reflected the NY State Crime Commission was Investigating ties between Tommy Luchese and Armand Chankalian. He was Administartive Assistant to United States Attorney Myles J. Lane and resigned February 3, 1953. [New York Herald Tribune, Feb 4, 1953] He had the Title of Administrative Assistant since 1945 [FBI Memo RE: Armand Chankalian, May 13, 1965 NY FBI Office]

Francesco Garofalo 

aka "Frank Carroll", Frank Garofalo,  was the powerful "deputy" of the Bonanno family in New York , from 1931 to until he retired in 1957. Francesco Garofalo was born in Castellammare del Golfo , in the province of Trapani , in 1891. He became a "man of honor"  in the Magaddinos and Buccellato mafia clan of Castellammare. He emigrated to New York in 1910.

A key figure in the Family Castellammarese of Brooklyn, and at the start of Prohibition (1920s) he was in charge of smuggling of alcohol into the US and New York City. 

In 1931, Joe Bonanno, head of his own crime family, becomes his friend and partner and he was appointed to position of "vice".  

In 1943 Garofalo ordered the murder of Carlo Tresca , journalist, anarchist and antifascist.

Garofalo also commissioned the murder of one of his trusted men Carmine Galante. Starting in the late 1940s, Garofalo was in charge of trafficking heroin from Sicily to the United States in the Bonanno family. And at that time had achieved a complete monopoly on the heroin coming into New York. 

Garofalo has had numerous law firms in New York , which in Colorado , and California , including the "High Grade Packing" in California .

In 1956 , he and his wife decided to return to his native Sicily.

Garofalo is well described in the official documents of the FBI, and the Bureau of Narcotics in 1958 : "Present at the meeting mafia Binghampton in 1956, the subject is one of the most important bosses of the United States, and Sicily. "When he was younger he was a dangerous assassin."

Mafia associates: Santo Sorge, John Bonventre, Carmine Galante, Joe Bonanno, Evola, Tom Lucchese, Joseph Di Palermo, Frank Coppola, Lucky Luciano, Sammy Shields.

 

also known as "Lilo" and "Cigar" (February 21, 1910 – July 12, 1979) was a mobster and acting boss of the Bonanno crime family.

Camillo Carmine Galante was born on February 21, 1910, in a tenement building in the East Harlem section of Manhattan. His parents were Vincenzo "James" Galante and Vincenza Russo. Galante emigrated to New York City in 1906 from Castellammare del Golfo, Sicily.

Carmine Galante had two brothers, Samuel and Peter Galante, and two sisters, Josephine and Angelina Galante.

Carmine Galante married Helen Marulli, by whom he had three children; James Galante, Camille Galante, and Angela Galante. For the last 20 years of his life, Galante lived with another woman Ann Acquavella. They had two children together. 

He was the uncle to Bonanno crime family capo James Carmine Galante.

Galante stood around 5½ feet and weighed approximately 160 pounds. While in prison in 1931, doctors diagnosed Galante as having a psychopathic personality.

Galante owned the Rosina Costume Company in Brooklyn, New York and was associated with the Abco Vending Company of West New York, New Jersey.

At the age of 10, Galante was sent to reform school due to his criminal activities. He soon formed a juvenile street gang on New York's Lower East Side. By the age of 15, Galante had dropped out of seventh grade. As a teenager, Galante became a Mafia associate during the Prohibition era, becoming a leading enforcer by the end of the decade. During this period, Galante also worked as a fish sorter and at an artificial flower shop.

On December 12, 1925, the 15 year-old Galante pleaded guilty to assault charges. On December 22, 1926, Galante was sentenced to at least two-and-a-half years in state prison.

In 1930, NYPD officer Joseph Meenahan caught Galante and other gang members attempting to hijack a truck in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In the ensuing gun battle, Galante wounded Meenahan and a six-year-old bystander, both survived. On February 8, 1931, after pleading guilty to attempted robbery Galante was sentenced to 12 and a half years in state prison. On May 1, 1939, Galante was released from prison on parole.

By 1940, Galante was carrying out "hits" for Vito Genovese, the official underboss of the Luciano crime family. Galante had an underworld reputation for viciousness and was suspected by the New York Police Department (NYPD) of involvement in over eighty murders.

In 1943, Galante allegedly murdered Carlo Tresca, the publisher of an anti-fascist newspaper in New York. Genovese, living in exile in Italy, offered to kill Tresca as a favor to Italian President Benito Mussolini. Genovese allegedly gave the murder contract to Galante. On January 11, 1943, Galante allegedly shot and killed Tresca as he stepped outside his newspaper office in Manhattan, then got in a car and drove away.[6] Although Galante was arrested as a suspect, no one was ever charged in the murder. After the Tresca murder, Galante was sent back to prison on a parole violation. On December 21, 1944, Galante was released from prison.

On February 10, 1945, Galante married Helena Marulli in New York.

Galante went from being chauffeur of Bonanno family boss, Joseph Bonanno, to caporegime and then underboss. He was said to have been loyal to Bonanno and often spoke of him with great admiration. They also shared a common enemy, Carlo Gambino of the Anastasia crime family.

In 1953, Bonanno sent Galante to Montreal, Quebec to supervise the family drug business there. The Bonannos were importing huge amounts of heroin by ship into Montreal and then sending it into the United States. In 1957, due to Galante's strong-arm extortion tactics, the Canadian Government deported him back to the United States. In October 1957, Bonanno and Galante held a hotel meeting in Palermo, Sicily on plans to import heroin into the United States. Attendees included exiled boss Lucky Luciano and other American mobsters, with a Sicilian Mafia delegation led by mobster Giuseppe Genco Russo. As part of the agreement, Sicilian mobsters would come to the U.S. to distribute the narcotics. Galante brought many young men, known as Zips, from his family home of Castellammare del Golfo, Trapani, to work as bodyguards, contract killers and drug traffickers. These Sicilian criminals had Galante's total trust and confidence.

In 1958, after being indicted on drug conspiracy charges, Galante went into hiding. On June 3, 1959, New Jersey State Police officers arrested Galante after stopping his car on the Garden State Parkway close to New York City. Federal agents had recently discovered that Galante was hiding in a house on Pelican Island off the South Jersey shore. After posting $100,000 bail, he was released. On May 18, 1960, Galante was indicted on a second set of narcotics charges; he surrendered voluntarily.

Galante's first narcotics trial started on November 21, 1960. From the beginning, the first trial was characterized by jurors and alternates dropping out and coercive courtroom displays by the defendants. On May 15, 1961, the judge declared a mistrial. The jury foreman had fallen down some stairs at his house and was unable to continue the trial due to injury. Galante was sentenced to 20 days in jail due to contempt of court.[12] On July 10, 1962, after being convicted in his second narcotics trial, Galante was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

In 1964, Joseph Bonanno and his ally, Profaci crime family boss Joseph Magliocco, unsuccessfully plotted to murder three rival members of the Mafia Commission. When the plot was discovered, the Commission ordered Bonanno to retire. Over the succeeding 10 years, Bonanno tried to install his son Salvatore Bonanno as boss while the Commission tried to run the family with a series of ineffectual bosses.

In January 1974, Galante was released from prison on parole. A few days after his release from prison, Galante allegedly ordered the bombing of the doors to the mausoleum of his enemy Frank Costello, who had died in 1973.

In November 1974, the Commission designated Philip "Rusty" Rastelli as the official boss of the Bonanno family.[8] However, Rastelli was soon sent to prison and Galante seized effective control of the family. As a former underboss, Galante considered himself the rightful successor to Joseph Bonanno, a man he had always remained loyal to.

During the late 1970s, Galante allegedly organized the murders of at least eight members of the Gambino family, with whom he had an intense rivalry, in order to take over a massive drug-trafficking operation.

On March 3, 1978, Galante's parole was revoked by the United States Parole Commission and he was sent back to prison. Galante had allegedly violated parole by associating with other Bonanno mobsters.[16] However, on February 27, 1979, a judge ruled that the government had illegally revoked Galante's parole and ordered his immediate release from prison.[15] By this stage, Galante was bald, bespectacled and had a stooped walk.

The New York crime families were alarmed at Galante's brazen attempt at taking over the narcotics market. Galante also refused to share any drug profits with the other families. Although Galante was aware that he had many enemies, he said, "No one will ever kill me, they wouldn't dare."[17] Genovese crime family boss Frank Tieri began contacting Cosa Nostra leaders to build a consensus for Galante's murder, even obtaining approval from the exiled Joseph Bonanno. They received a boost when Rastelli, the official boss, sought Commission approval to kill Galante as an illegitimate usurper. In 1979, the Mafia Commission ordered Galante's execution.

On July 12, 1979, Carmine Galante was assassinated just as he finished eating lunch on an open patio at Joe and Mary's Italian-American Restaurant at 205 Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Galante was dining with Leonard Coppola, a Bonanno capo, and restaurant owner/cousin Giuseppe Turano, a Bonanno soldier. Also sitting at the table were Galante's Sicilian bodyguards, Baldassare Amato and Cesare Bonventre. At 2:45 pm, three ski-masked men entered the restaurant, walked into the patio, and opened fire with shotguns and handguns. Galante, Turano, and Coppola were killed instantly. Galante's death picture showed a cigar still in his mouth. Amato and Bonventre, who did nothing to protect Galante, were left unharmed. The gunmen then ran out of the restaurant. 

The Apalachin Round up: Apalachin, NY

[FBI Memorandum- FROM: James P. Kelley and Sherman W. Willao; SUBJECT: Apalachin Round up. RE: SAM SHILLITANI aka SAM SHIELDS, January 6, 1958]

SHILLITANI was alleged by Informant to be present at the round up. The informant believed under the name Louis SANTOS from Havana, Cuba. FBI operatives found that Louis SANTOS is Santo Trafficante. If Shillitani was there, how did he escape clean? What name did he use?

An FBI investigation uncovered that Shillitani (Sam) is known to have operated crap games in New York City with Frank Garofalo under his alias Shields. He admitted to knowing Carmine Galante whom is a close friend of Joseph Barbara. Also friends with Barabara is Joseph DiPalermo aka "Joe Beck" a notorious Narcotics Peddler who is missing along with Galante after the raid.

The Apalachin Meeting was a historic summit of the American Mafia held at the home of mobster Joseph "Joe the Barber" Barbara in Apalachin, New York on November 14, 1957. Of an estimated 100 Mafiosi members from the United States, Canada and Italy are thought to have been at this meeting only 58 detained and indicted [See addendum #7 for list]. The informant identified Sam Shillitani as being there but got his alias mixed up. Was he there?

See and hear Mayor Firella La Guardia's response to Magistrate Eder's and Magistrate Raphael P Koenigs rulings. Justice Eder describes Mr. Sam Shillitani as "a respectable individual". And Shillitani was found to be innocent of bookmaking charges by Magistrate Koenig May 10, 1944.

Justice Eder granted an order for the Police Commissioner to restore phone service to Mr. Shillitani January 24, 1945. "Neither the Police Commissioner nor the Police Department has any jurisdiction or authority over the matter of furnishing, discontinuing or restoring telephone service to the public." [New York Sun, Jan 25, New York Times]

Mayor La Guardia's Response in The New York Times, January 26, 1945

"Shillitani is very fortunate...He Must Be a Very Fine White, Innocent Baby."

The same New York Times reporter asked Police Commissioner Valentine how the decision will alter police procedurer in gambling raids...His acknowledgement of the question with no response spoke volumes for his frustration with the ruling and one Mr. Samuel Shillitani.

Mayor Fiorello La Guardia during his popular radio show: Talk to the People "Patience and Fortitude"  -January 28, 1945

"Say, do you have trouble getting a telephone? There are hundreds of thousands of families and business men trying to get telephones...It is hard to get a telephone these days. Well...maybe it is because you do not belong to the right family - you are not engaged in gambling, no member of your family has committed murder, you haven't sufficiently abused the Police Commissioner and the Mayor. "

"So if you want a telephone, get some member of your family to commit murder, open a gambling place, abuse the Police Commissioner, and then you will get it."

"I suppose you read in the newspapers of the decision of the Supreme Court here in New York, ordering the Telephone Company to restore telephone service to an American citizen, entitled to the telephone, by the name of Shillitani."

"Yes, and the Police Commissioner was abused, and the rights of this very fine upright citizen was defended. You know, I wish I had been there. Let me tell you, Shillitani is known as alias Sammy Shields, a notorious, cheap, tinhorn gambler. Chief Inspector Murphy himself raided the crap games of this tinhorn gambler, several times within the last few years."

"His brother John...was raided in Astoria only a few days ago, where he was conducting a large crap game. Oh wait, I will tell you some more about this fine family. His brother, Orestes, brother of Shillitani...murdered two fine patrolmen, Patrolman Teare and Patrolman Heaney — a few years ago on Mulberry Street. A fine family."

"Orestes Shillitani was sentenced to the electric chair. He could not even behave in Sing Sing. He shot a keeper in Sing Sing and escaped but was apprehended, brought back and placed in the electric chair and electrocuted."

"So don't you see, that, if you have the right kind of a family, it is easy to get a telephone. Do you wonder that it requires Patience and Fortitude for this job."

HEAR Mayor La Guardia's "Talk to the People" Radio Show on January 28, 1945

Before He Died (94 yrs old), to niece's husband:

"I have a gun in my Pocket...You Know Why? You stole MY MONEY. You're Goin to come with me and you're gonna check for my secret stash money."

SAMMY: Now put your hand under the table. Is the box there? Huh?

BOBBI's HUSBAND: Yes Uncle Sam, it's here.

SAM: Where? SHOW ME!

BOBBI's HUSBAND: It is right here.

SAMMY: Oh God. Oh God I'm sorry. I couldn't feel it under there. I thought... [As told by Virgies Niece Bobbi Di Maria]

About Al Capone, to his Niece:

"I knew Al Capone. I knew him when he was a nobody. Just a bouncer. He asked me to go to Chicago with him. I wouldn't go to that place." [as told to his niece]

Regarding Guys and Dolls Play/Movie:

"That's not how it went. I know. It was at a wake and we paid the lady to carry the wake on for hours so we could keep our crap game going in the basement."[as told to his niece]

Regarding Running Liquor During Prohibition:

"They were getting guys all the time. They never got me. I had Mechanics Putting it all under the floorboards and they never figured it out. eh eh" [as told to niece]

News Articles from the time...

• "Cousins Shot Near Old Murder Spot". The Evening Telegram, Oct 12, 1922.
• "Two Cousins Shot". Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Oct 12, 1922  
• "Arrest Scillintani Boy". New York Times, May 21, 1913.
• "Brother of Shillitoni Arrested as a Thief". New York Tribune, May 21, 1913.
• "Three Precincts Chase Boys". New York Sun, May 21, 1913. 

Nicolena Shillitani "Lena" : (Sammy Shields 1st Wife, Oresto's Sister in Law)

AKAs: Lena Cioffi, Lena Shillitani, Lena Shillitain, Lena R Cioffi, Lina Cioffi

1904 05 Dec: Birth. New York City, NY, USA U.S., [Social Security Death Index, 1935-]

1915 01 Jun: Residence. 247 Mulberry Street, New York City, NY, USA (Age: 10). [1915 NY State Census]

1920 01 Jun: Residence. 261 Mulberry Street, New York City, NY, USA (Age: 16). [1920 US Federal Census]

1927 28 May: Marriage to Samuel Shillitani. New York City, NY, USA (Age: 22). New York, NY, [Marriage Indexes 1866-1937 Cert# 16966]

1930 01 Jun: Residence. 265 La Fayette St., New York City, NY, USA (Age: 26). Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Daughter. [1930 US Federal Census.]

1931 01 Aug: Arrested. New York City, NY, USA (Age: 26). Smuggling an Alien into The Country. [Albany Evening News, February 11, 1932]

1932 04 Jan: Trial. Schenectady, Schenectady, New York, USA (Age: 27). Federal Court Smuggling an Alien. [Albany Evening News, February 11, 1932.]

1932 05 Jan: Sentenced. Schenectady, Schenectady, New York, USA (Age: 27). Conspiracy to violate immigration laws. [Schenectady Gazette, January 5, 1932]

1932 11 Feb: Jail. Albany, New York, USA (Age: 27)Smuggling an Alien into The Country. [Albany Evening News, Febrary 11, 1932]

1933 01 Jun: Arrested. Brooklyn, New York USA. (Age: 28) Grand Larceny. [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, October 3, 1950]

1940 01 Mar: Judgement Against. New York City, NY USA (Age: 35). National City Bank vs Nicolina Shillitani, Joseph J Cioffi, Francesco Cioffi, Moe Pagano. [New York Times, March 1, 1940.]

1940 01 Apr: Residence. 25 Prospect St., Babylon, Suffolk, New York, USA (Age: 35). Marital Status: Divorced; Relation to Head of House: Head. [1940 US Federal Census]

1940 18 Apr: Judgement Against. New York City, NY, USA (Age: 35). $3524.90; Credit Equipment Corp. [New York Times, April 18, 1940]

1950 30 Sep: Arrested. 542 60th St., Brooklyn NY USA (Age: 45). Forgeries for over $100,000.Dist Attys Office Hunting for her over 3 years. Lena R Schillitani asst. Dietician at Greenich Hospital. Larceny Charges in 1933. Connected to Bugsy Siegal, and Murder Inc. [Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Oct 3, 1950.]

2004 11 Feb: Death (Age: 99)(U.S. Consulate), Italy. [U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current] 

1906 01 Nov: Birth. Salvato Scilitano; Manhattan, New York, USA Certificate Number: 57936

1916 13 Sep: Departure. Naples, Italy. Duca Di Genova. Age: 9 (with family)

1916 28 Sep: Arrival. New York, New York. Duca Di Genova. Age: 9 Years 19 Months (with Family)

1925 01 Jun: Residence 2403 Hoffman St. Bronx, New York, USA. Age: 18. Butcher

1926 00 000: Sentenced Attempted Robbery. Bronx, New York, USA. 2 years 3 months to 10 years. NY Times October 2, 1963

1928 00 000: Paroled Sing Sing. Bronx, New York, USA. Age: 22. NY Times October 2, 1963

1928 00 000: Convicted Larceny. Bronx, New York, USA. Age: 22. Sent to Sing Sing for Violation of Parole

1929 00 000: Paroled Sing Sing. Bronx, New York, USA. Age: 23. NY Times October 2, 1963

1929 00 000: Attempted Extortion Dismissed. Age: 23. Bronx, New York, USA. Under The Name of Sal Russo. Back to Sing Sing for Violation of Parole

1930 00 000: Inducted into The Mafia. New York City, New York, USA. Age: 24. Joe Bonanno's Crew. At the same time as Joe Valachi, and another tight buddy, Frank Calluce in 1930.

1932 28 Jan: Killed Benedeto Bellini. New York City, New York, USA. V. At Mace and Paulding Avenues. NYTimes, May 26, 1932

1932 28 Apr: Convicted Manslaughter. Bronx, New York, USA. Age: 25. Guilty Bronx County Court, Manslaughter in the Killing of Benedetto Bellini at Mace and Paulding Avenues, Bronx NY. NY Times, October 2, 1963. Served 14 years. NY Times Apr 28, 1932.

1940 01 Apr: Residence Attica State Prison, Attica, New York, USA. Age: 33. Marital Status: Single

1945 00 000: Released Attica State Prison. Bronx, New York, USA. Age: 39. NY Times October 2, 1963

1946 03 Sep: Social Security Application. New York City, New York USA. Age: 39.Employer: Bonded Auto Sales, 53rd St. & Broadway, New York City, NY USA

1947 00 000: French Connection Drug Ring. Marseilles - Paris - Corsica - USA. Age: 41. According to FBN, this is when Drug-Ring Began. NY Times, Dec 21, 1951

1948 01 Jun: Residence. 331 E. 88th St., New York, New York, USA. Age: 42

1951 01 Jan: Residence. 27 E 124th St., Manhattan NY, USA. Age: 44. NY Times, Sept 22, 1952

1951 28 Jul: Arrested - Narcotics $100,000 Bail. New York City, New York USA. Age: 44."Foreign Dope Handlers Held" Evening World Herald, Omaha, Sat, 1951. "Taken in Dope Ring" Total of 12 men and 1 women arrested. Federal Agents broke up $10,000,000 a year illegal narcotics ring. NY Times, July 30, 1951. Sentebced to 15 years.

1951 30 Jul: Linked Directly to Lucky Luciano. New York City, New York USA. Age: 44. Utica Daily Press, July 30, 1951

1951 00 Nov: Convicted Counterfeiting & Narcotics. New York City, New York USA. Age: 45. Selling Counterfeit Money to Finance the Import of Narcotics. Convicted with Joseph Orsini and Miss Marcelle Ansellen.

1951 20 Dec: Sentenced Counterfeiting & Narcotics. Washington DC USA. Age: 45. "Woman; 2 Men Get Crime-Ring Terms", NY Times, Dec 21, 1951

1954 29 Aug: Notorious E 107th St. Mobster. New York City, New York USA. Age: 47. The American Weekly August 1954

1963 02 Oct: Valachi Senate Hearing. Washington DC USA. Age: 56. Joseph Valachi Testifies to Senate Committe. Implicates Sal Shillitani and many more Mafia Members. The Boston Herald, October 3, 1963

1965 06 Jan: Bonanno Crime Family. New York City, New York, USA. Age: 58. Alleged Member of The Bonanno Crime Family. "1,500 in 5 Crime Families Identified", NY Times, January 6, 1965

1965 00 000: Landmark Case "Contempt". Washington DC, USA. Age: 59. United States v. Shillitani, 345 F.2d 290 (1965) No. 412.

1966 06 Jun: Convicted Contempt. Washington DC, USA. Age: 59 Classification Number:83.31-1194: Sumpreme Court Ruling Contempt of Court. Associated Press, Name Card Index to AP Stories, 1905-1990.

1967 23 Dec: Luchese Crime Family. New York City, New York USA. Age: 61. "Cat-and-Mouse Game: U.S. and Luchese Mafia Gang's Leaders" FBI & US Attorney Morganthau.

1971 25 Jul: Senate Investigations Committee. Washington DC USA. Age: 64. Securities Exchange Fraud. Mutual Funds. The Lowell Sun (Lowell, Massachusetts) July 25, 1971, Page 1

1990 09 Sep: Death. Dade, Florida, USA. Age: 83. U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-Current about Salvatore Shillitani Name: Salvatore Shillitani SSN: 134-22-2090. Born: 21 Nov 1906 Died: 9 Sep 1990 State (Year) SSN 134-22-2090 issued: New York (Before 1951) Age at Death: 83

Lived: 329 E. 11th St. NYC (1905 NY Census, 1910 US census), 2408 Hoffman St. NYC 1923 (DEC 19, 1923 manifest ellis island), 2408 Hoffman St. (1925 NY Census), Newark, NJ 1941 Directory, 27-29 E. 124th Street NYC (1905-1952 ?) 

The Golden Palms Restaurant: A meeting place for the Underworld: 1692 Broadway at The Corner of 53rd St., New York City (1945); NY STATE CRIME COMMISSION to Thomas Lucchese (Mr. Lucchese, unbeknownst to everyone in the committee was already the head of the Lucchese/Gagliano Family. He already testified he knew Sal Shillitani in 1946.): Q-How about Sal Shillitani? A- What about him? Q-Did you ever give Moretti (Willie Moretti) money to give to Shillitani A-No Q-How many times did you meet Shillitani? A- Can't really say, I don't remember. Q- Did you meet Shillitani often in the Golden Palms, owned by members of the Shillitani family? A- Can't really say, I don't remember. [Testimony, Thomas Lucchese, New York State Crime Commission, New York Times, Nov. 22, 1952]

Knickerbocker Auto Wholesale: 1692 Broadway at The Corner of 53rd St., New York City (1934)

Alfredo's Restaurant: 1692 Broadway at The Corner of 53rd St., New York City (1952)

Bonded Auto Sales: 53rd St., Possibly Same building at 1692 Broadway.

John's Restaurant: 226 Mulberry St., 238 Pearle St.

Ravel Perfume Corporation: New York, New York USA, Incorporated 1954

World Laundry Corporation: 227 Mulberry St.

Long Beach: 64 Penn St., Long Beach, NY

Saratoga: "right across from the college"

Gambling: Permanent Floating Craps Games, Mulberry Street, Policy Horse Racing, Book Making,

I lost a million and a half on the horses...And the funny part is...if someone handed me another million I'd put it right in the nose of some horse that looked good to me. -Al Capone

Saloons, Pool Rooms, Cafe's

New York City: 

• 350 1st Ave., New York City; c.1970- July 13, 1976; [Alfred J. Shillitani Certificate of Death]
• 240-242 E. 11th Street, Owned. Rosina Scillitani, [Ellis Island Manifest Sept. 20, 1916]
• 329 E. 11th Street, New York City; Michele #2 and Family. [1905, 1910 Census]
• 319 W. 107th St., New York City; May 12, 1944 - c. 1946 [Listed as mailing address Veterans Administration]
• 27-29 E. 124th St., New York City
• 224 W. 25th St., New York City (Johnny 1913)
• 774 E. 165th St., New York City (Joseph Schillitani, 1945)
• 2408 Hoffman Street, New York City, [Ellis Island Manifest, Dec. 19, 1923]
• 10 Monroe St., New York City; c.1935 - c.1946: Sammy and Viginia Shillitani [1940 Census]
• 40 Monroe St., New York City; c.1935 - c.1946: Alfredo Shillitani, Antoinette, Mike, John, Samuel [1940 census] [Listed as home address Veterans Administration]
• 248 Mulberry St., New York City; Owned.  [Testimony of Witness- Michele is his Landlord, People Against Oresto Shilitano; Trial #1844 pg 292]
• 245 Mulberry St., New York City; Owned.
• 243 Mulberry St., New York City; Owned c. OCT 1904 - 1915: lost in Bankruptcy possibly from legal fees Oresto Trial. [Testimony of Witness- Michele is his Landlord, People Against Oresto Shilitano; Trial #1844]
• 241 Mulberry St., New York City; On or Before JAN 3, 1899- c.1938: Owned and Lived. 6 Story Tenement house. Michele Shillitani, Angelina, Rosa Verzicco, Oresto, Sammmy, Freddy, Antoinette, and children. 1st Floor all 4 rooms. Alleged Wine making operation in basement during prohibition. Labels, Bottles, and Vats are good indications. [Manhattan Transfers, New York Times, November 28, 1940; Michele to Alfredo][Birth Cert, Saverio Scillitano, January, 3 1899. 241 Mulberry St.]
• 240 Mulberry St., New York City; Owned. [Testimony of Witness- Michele is his Landlord, People Against Oresto Shilitano; Trial #1844]
• 221 Mulberry St., New York City; Owned.
• 223 Mulberry St., New York City; Owned.
• 225 Mulberry St., New York City; Owned.
• 227 Mulberry St., New York City; Owned. World Laundry Cleaners - In back is Numbers, and Gambling Parlor.
• 168 Thompson St., New York City; Owned. [Real estate record and builders' guide: v. 95, no. 2449: February 20, 1915]
• 139 Thompson St., New York City; Owned. 5 Story Tenement House [Manhattan Transfers, New York Times, November 17, 1945]
• Woodward Hotel, Long Term Apartments

Long Beach, NY:

• 65 W. Penn St., Long Beach, NY;  Owned. c.1946- Oct 15, 1948 [Change of Address Veterans Administration]

Saratoga Springs, NY:

• 69 Jackson Street, Saratoga Springs, NY - A regular "cottager" during racing season. [The Saratogian, August 2, 1954]

America's first gambling resort city. Home of big time illegal casinos. It is said this is where Meyer Lansky and Lucky Luciano graduated from craps to casinos. Frank Costello brought the class of the Copa and Adonis the operators. Frank Erickson was NY's largest bookmaker. Frank Tierney was the front man who got all the paperwork and licenses necessary. 1930's-1950's

1. The Chicago Club - commanded by Lucky Luciano himself was a card room and a horse parlor. Run by Gus Deneatteo and Martin Burns. Lucky Luciano was the first to come and Meyer Lansky and Frank Costello would follow.
2. Piping Rock Club - opened by Meyer Lansky.
3. The Arrowhead Inn - was also a casino that was run by the Mob. J.A. OK Coakly, and Lefty Clark, Joe Adonis and Charles Manny were put in charge. Each in their own areas of expertise.
4. The Meadowlark entertained the less than desirable crowd. Doc Farone was a stakeholder in several of the casinos. Riley's Lake House was run by James Siro. It was a glorious town for gambling and the Mob.

[Casino Chip News, Volume 22 Number 3 39][Lacey, Robert. Little Man Meyer Lansky and The Gangster Life]

Florida:

• 7553 Hispanola Avenue, FL, c1960 - 2000

Hallandale Clubs:

Colonial Inn run by Meyer Lansky's brother Jake. Partnership was call Miller and Lansky. Ike Miller. The "It" Club was a side club of Millers.

The Colonial Inn - Set up by Ben Marden in the early 1940's. George Sadlo, Wertheimer, and Ruben Mathews were partners with Jimmy Blue Eyes, Frank Erickson, Joe Adonis and Lucky. And of course Meyer. [Lacey, Robert. Little Man Meyer Lansky and The Gangster Life]

The Plantation Farm -

1. FamilySearch.org - Great Site provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that goes back to the country of Origin. Free
2. Ancestry.com - Great for Organizing your Search. *Free. *Worth upgrade for minimal monthly fee
3. EllisIsland.org - Ellis Island Arrival Manifests. **Free **Worth small donation to become member
4. Chroniclingamerica.loc.gov - Online Newspapers Across the US 1836-1922. Part of The Library of Congress. Free
5. Google - a) Search  b) Books  c) Images : With Searches, if name or item is common try using " ". Having an ancestor come up inside google books may be a sign there's a famous or infamous person in your blood lines. Images are also a jackpot if you are lucky enough to have one of your ancestors show up here.

There are also hundreds of other really great sites for your journey. Focus on sources close to your roots and localities of known relatives.

Addendum 2 - Michelangelo Scillitano

Name: Michelangelo Scillitano
Birth Date: 1783
Birthplace: Palme, Calabria Ultra, Italy
Age: 38
Spouse's Name: Maria Giacinta Spadaccino
Spouse's Birth Date: 1803
Spouse's Birthplace: Foggia, Capitanata, Italy
Spouse's Age: 18
Event Date: 07 Jun 1821
Event Place: Foggia, Foggia, Italy
Father's Name: Giambattista Scillitano
Mother's Name: Maria Rosa Grio
Spouse's Father's Name: Francesco Spadaccino
Spouse's Mother's Name: Costansa Fraticello

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M84343-7
System Origin: Italy-EASy
GS Film number: 1178443
Reference ID: Roll 425 bk 1 p62
Citing this Record: "Italia, Matrimoni, 1809-1900," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XKSD-VY5 :
accessed 17 Jul 2013), Michelangelo Scillitano and Maria Giacinta Spadaccino, 07 Jun 1821.
Courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Born Oreste Scillitano, known by the family as Oresto Shillitani, known on the streets (and NYPD) as Oresto Shillitoni, known to the NYC Courts as Oresto Shilitano, and known to Sing Sing Prison as both Oresto Shillitoni (#59254) and Oresto Shilitano (#64301).

1. Oresto Shillitani: NY House of Refuge admission log, October 26, 1904, The Evening World, May 10, 1916
2. Oresto Shillitoni: Sing Sing Prison inmate #59254, May 08, 1909 (The name he commonly went by on the streets)
3. Oresto Shilitano: Sing Sing Prison inmate #64301, March 06, 1914
4. Oresto Shilitano: New York City Court of General Sessions, Case #1844, February 24, 1914
5. Cresto Sciallentano: New York Times, May 6, 1913
6. Oresto Schillitoni: Washington Herald, June 15, 1913
7. Cresto Shillitoni: New York Times, March 3, 1914,
8. Oreste Shillitani: The Boston Globe, June 22, 1916
9. Oreste Sullitone: Ellis Island Manifest, SS California, Dec 03, 1895
10. Oresto Shillanti: The Evening Ledger-Philadelphia, June 30, 1916
11. Oresto Shieldiana: Middletown Daily Times-Press, May 7, 1913
12. Oreste Sullitone: Ellis Island Manifest, Dec 03, 1895
13. Orests Scillitano: The New York Catholic Protectory, 1903 enrollment. p1198

1.Joseph "The Barber" Barbara
2.Rosario "Russell" Bufalino
3.Dominick Alaimo Caporegime
4.Angelo J. Sciandra
5.Ignatius Cannone
6.Anthony "The Gov" Guarnieri
7.James "Dave" Ostico
8.Pasquale "Patsy" Turrigiano
9.Emanuel "Manny" Zicari
10.Salvatore "Vicious" Trivalino
11.Pasquale "Patsy" Monachino
12.Pasquale "Patsy" Sciortino
13.Bartolo "Bart" Guccia
14.Giovanni "John" Bonventre
15.Anthony "Tony" Riela
16.Natale "Joe Diamonds" Evola
17.Vito "Don Vito" Genovese
18.Gerardo "Jerry" Catena, Underboss
19.Michele "Big Mike" Miranda, Consigliere
20.Salvatore "Charles" Chiri
21.Carlo "Don Carlo" Gambino
22.Joseph "Staten Island Joe" Riccobono 
23.Paul "Big Paul" Castellano
24.Carmine "The Doctor" Lombardozzi
25.Armand "Tommy" Rava
26.Vincent "Nunzio" Rao
27.Giovanni "Big John" Ormento
28.Joseph "Joe Palisades" Rosato
29.Joseph "Don Peppino" Profaci
30.Joseph "Fat Joe/Joe Malyak" Magliocco
31.Salvatore "Sam" Tornabe
32.Frank Majuri
33.Louis "Fat Lou" LaRasso 
34.John C. Montana Buffalo crime family
35.Antonino "Nino" Magaddino
36.Rosario "Roy" Carlisi
37.James "Jimmy" LaDuca
38.Samuel "Sam" Lagattuta
39.Dominick D'Agostino
40.Constenze "Stanley" Valenti
41.Frank Valenti Underboss
42.Joseph Falcone
43.Salvatore Falcone
44.Rosario "Roy" Mancuso
45.Michael "Mike" Genovese
46.Gabriel "Kelly" Mannarino
47.Joseph "Joe" Ida
48.Dominick Olivetto
49.John Scalish
50.John DeMarco
51.Frank "The Cheeseman" Cucchiara
52.Frank Zito
53.Santo Trafficante Jr.
54.Joseph "Joe" Civello
55.John Francis Colletti 
56.James "Black Jim" Colletti
57.Frank DeSimone
58.Simone Scozzari

[Reavil, Gil. Mafia Summit. New York NY: St. Martin's Press, 1967]

1. Frank Chieffo
2. John "Swift" Verno
3. James Morelli
4. Gennaro Sellitto
5. Nellie DeCarlo - Margaret T. Goodwin, Female officer that held Nellie in protection before the trial at her personal residence.]

New York City Police Department

1. Police Commissioner: Rhinelander Waldo
2. Deputy Police Commissioner: George S. Dougherty
3. Lieutenant of Detectives (Italian Squad): Dominick Riley
4. Officers Killed in Action: Officer William Heaney (1st Patrolman), Officer Charles Teare (2nd Patrolman).
5. Inspector Joseph Faurot
6. Detective Felix De Martini
7. Detective John Fogarty - Spoke to Nellie.
8. Leo Gambardella -
9. Joseph Digilio- accused by Nellie De Carlo of slapping her in the face and threatening to kill her if she didn't say she saw Oresto kill Rizzo. "If you don't say what we tell you, we will kill you."[Appeals]
10. Coroner Feinberg [NY Tribune, May 15, 1913]

District Attorney's Office of New York County

1. Charles S. Whitman - District Attorney (41st Governor of New York 1915-1918)
2. Isodor Wasservogel - Assistant District Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney (Elected to the Supreme Court bench in 1920)
3. Deacon Murphy - Deputy Assistant District Attorney

The Defense Team of Attorneys

Firm: Goldsmith, Koenig, & Sittenfeld

1. Samuel S. Koenig (Secretary of State of New York 1909-1910)
2. Goldsmith
3. Sittenfeld
4. Ogden L. Mills (State Senator 17th Dist. 1917; Chairman of Affairs of the City of New York 1917)
5. Frank Aranow

Witnesses on Behalf of The People

Frank Chieffo - 242 Mott St., Part of the "James Brandie Association", knew Oresto since he was a little boy. I lived in the same house as him. I was with Rizzo. Rizzo was in the saloon at 233 Mulberry St., then went to the pool hall at 235 Mulberry. Rizzo was wearing a shirt with black derby...no coat. I heard a shot, I saw Rizzo fall to the ground and I saw Oresto running up the street towards Prince street. They were about 6 feet away from eachother. He saw Officer Heaney across the street pulling on doors to make sure stores that were closed locked up. When the shot went off Officer Heaney tied the leather strap on his club around his hand and ran across the street. When Heaney was a bout five feet from Oresto a shot was fired and Heaney went down. Then a crowd came out and I couldn't see a thing.

Nellie De Carlo: Went to bed about 11:30pm.

James Morelli: 351 The Bowery. Chauffuer. I helped carry Rizzo's body into the hall at 235 Mulberry St.

Gennaro Sellitto: Oresto was 30 feet from Rizzo when the shots were fired. Teare was shot and then fell after two or three paces.

John "Swift" Verno: 285 Mott St., Real Estate Eckerson Co. Convicted Burglary 1909. Elmira

Witnesses on the Behalf of The Defense

Raphael Pepe: 248 Mulberry is owned by Michael Shillitani. YES 15 years. 1914. Michele owned it c1899. Then recanted that Michael Shillitani is the Landlord.

William DeCarlo:

Addendum 11 -  Wardens and Staff. Death House, Sing Sing Prison (1913-1916)

Wardens*:

1. James M. Clancy (July 1913– April 1914) 
2. Thomas Mott Osborne (Dec 1914– Dec 1915)
3. George Washington Kirchwey (Dec 1915- July 1916)
4. Thomas Mott Osborne (July 1916)

*Other short-lived and/or acting wardens included: James Connaughton (warden) (June 1913) acting warden; Thomas McCormick (June 1914); George Standish Weed* (October 1914) acting warden 

Prison Guards 

1. Frederick Dorner - Guard Captain and Principal Keeper (PK)
2. Guard Daniel McCarthy - Killed during Escape entering cell with bucket.
3. Guard Ernest Bullard - Guard Shot in arm during Escape.
4. Guard Charles Nichols - runs from Kid and Sounds Alarm while shot in the leg. 

Chief Physician

1. Dr. Amos Squire - Death House Doctor. Doctor that seems to enjoy autopsy dissection

Chaplain

1. Father Wiliam J. Cashin - Sing Sing's beloved Catholic Chaplain

"It's great to have both sides of the family get together"

Caggiano: aka Coggiano, Cogiano, Cagiano, Martino, Russo

Gaetano Coggiano: "Sold Forged Papers of Naturalization" Arrested with Bruno[New York Times, May 20, 1903 - lived @ 128 Baxter Street]

James Caggiano: aka James Cogiano, James Martino, James Russo. 1)  "3 Caught Demanding Bootlegging Tribute" James also charged with carrying a weapon. [New York Times, July 24, 1931 - lived @ 330 Broome Street]. 2) "Detective Kills Man After Theft of Coat" arrested with Louis Sandano "both  former reform school inmates" [New York Times, December 20, 1940 - arrested on Mott St. said he lived @ 159 Prince St.] Sandano was shot in the head while reaching in his pocket and died instantly. 3) "Boys Held as Safe Robbers" [New York Times, September 24, 1934 - lived @ 224 Lafayette Street , 18 yrs old]. 4)  "Counterfeiters Guilty" Arrested with James De Sapio, Joseph Catrone,  John Chicarella, James Russo (James Caggiano), Joseph Catrone. [New York Times, July 30, 1930]

Anthony Caggiano: 1) "Pollice Take Gang For Blowing Safes" [New York Times, December 30, 1912 - lived @ Elton & 159th]. 2) "Board Fast Auto Which Hits Priest" Arrested with Frank Barbone  both of 655 Morris Ave. and Thomas Amino 279 E 153rd. [New York Times, April 16, 1913]. 3) "Raid Reveals Rum at $18 a Half Pint" [New York Times, August 16, 1921]

Rocco Caggiano:

Joseph Coggiano: Arrested with Peter Stoco" Stool Pigeons Accused of Bribery" [New York Times, August 20, 1895]

Michael Coggiano: 1) "Counterfeiters Guilty" Arrested with James De Sapio, Joseph Catrone,  John Chicarella, James Russo (James Caggiano), Joseph Catrone. [New York Times, July 30, 1930]. 2)  "Indict 22 For Liquor Aboard a City Scow" Arrested with Frank Bruno, Joseph Barese, Sam Cohen, Thomas Davis, Joseph Deluca, Irving Friedman, Charles Kellis, Joseph Marino, John Murhy, James Roth, Peter Russo (Peter Caggiano),  Michael Russo (Michael Caggiano), John Reid, John Salvatore, John Tito, George White, Sam Harris, John Wishnon, Edward Smith and Joseph Katz.  [New York Times, August 23, 1930].  3) "Shot going to Trial as Counterfeiter" [New York Times, July 22, 1930] James De Sapio (suspected squealer) was shot. Others in the ring are : Joseph Arnone, Joseph Catrone, Philip Villiano.

Peter Caggiano: "Counterfeiters Guilty" Arrested with James De Sapio, Joseph Catrone,  John Chicarella, James Russo (James Caggiano), Joseph Catrone. [New York Times, July 30, 1930]. "Indict 22 For Liquor Aboard a City Scow" Arrested with Frank Bruno, Joseph Barese, Sam Cohen, Thomas Davis, Joseph Deluca, Irving Friedman, Charles Kellis, Joseph Marino, John Murhy, James Roth, Peter Russo (Peter Caggiano),  Michael Russo (Michael Caggiano), John Reid, John Salvatore, John Tito, George White, Sam Harris, John Wishnon, Edward Smith and Joseph Katz.  [New York Times, August 23, 1930]

Wiiliam Caggiano (Russo): Brother of Joseph (20yrs old). Sentenced ten years [New York Times, September 27, 1930]

1931–1936 — Charles "Lucky" Luciano— arrested in 1936 and then deported in 1946.
1936–1951 — Vincent Mangano — disappeared in April 1951
1951–1957 — Disputed leadership
1951–1957 — Joseph Bonanno — led the Conservative faction along with Joseph Profaci and Stefano Magaddino
1951–1957 — Frank Costello — led the Liberal faction along with Albert Anastasia and Tommy Lucchese
1957–1959 — Vito Genovese — led the Liberal faction along with Tommy Lucchese and Carlo Gambino. He was imprisoned in 1959 and died on February 14, 1969.
1959–1976 — Carlo Gambino — allied with Tommy Lucchese and retired Frank Costello. He died on October 15, 1976

The original bosses of the Five Families weren't formed until 1931. The Founding Heads of the Original Five families and their corresponding Modern Family in parentheses are: being Joe Bonanno (Bonanno), Lucky Luciano (Genovese), Vincent Mangano (Gambino), Joe Profaci (Colombo) and Tommy Gagliano (Luchese).
New York mobster Thomas Gagliano, goes into semi-retirement and leaves day to day activities of the Family to Acting Boss Thomas Lucchese 1951

These enterprises evolved over the course of 3,000 years during numerous periods of invasion and exploitation by numerous conquering armies. Italians became more clannish and began to rely on familial ties for safety, protection, justice, and survival.

An underground secret society formed initially as resistance fighters against the invaders and to exact frontier vigilante justice against oppression. A member was known as a “Man Of Honor,” respected and admired as he protected family, friends and countrymen.

These secret societies eventually grew into the Organized Criminal Societies we know today. Since the 1900s, thousands of Italian organized crime figures have come into this country. Many who fled here in the late 1800s and the early 1900s have melded together what we know today as La Cosa Nostra (American Mafia). [Cosmopolitan Magazine, Volume LI, August 1911, The Terror of the Camorra]

Top Gangsters in America all born in Sicily??

Al Capone: Born in Brooklyn

John Gotti: Born in the Bronx

Frank Costello: Born in Calabria ."The Prime Minister" of the Mafia

Vito Genovese: Born in Naples (vicinity) "Don Vito" Head of the Five Families.

Sicilian Mafia (Sicilian Secret Society)

The Sicilian Mafia formed in the mid-1800s to unify the Sicilian peasants against their enemies. In Sicily, the word Mafia tends to mean “manly.” The Sicilian Mafia is infamous for its aggressive assaults on Italian law enforcement officials. In Sicily the term “Excellent Cadaver” is used to distinguish the assassination of prominent government officials from the common criminals and ordinary citizens killed by the Mafia. High-ranking victims include police commissioners, mayors, judges, police colonels and generals, and Parliament members.

Sicilian Mafia in America (American Mafia)

Giuseppe Esposito was the first known Sicilian Mafia member to emigrate to the U.S. He and six other Sicilians fled to New York after murdering the chancellor and a vice chancellor of a Sicilian province and 11 wealthy landowners. He was arrested in New Orleans in 1881 and extradited to Italy. New Orleans was also the site of the first major Mafia incident in this country. On October 15, 1890, New Orleans Police Superintendent David Hennessey was murdered execution-style. Hundreds of Sicilians were arrested, and 19 were eventually indicted for the murder. An acquittal generated rumors of widespread bribery and intimidated witnesses. Outraged citizens of New Orleans organized a lynch mob and killed 11 of the 19 defendants. Two were hanged, nine were shot, and the remaining eight escaped.

• Frank Cirofici, Harry Horowitz, Joseph "Whitey Lewis" Sidemschner, and Louis  "Lefty" Rosenberg - executed 13 April 1914.
• Pietro Rebacci 
• Giuseppe DeGioia
• Michael Sarzano
• Vincenzo Campanelli
• Giuseppe Gino
• Vincenzo Buoninsegno
• Joseph Ferri
• Lieutenant Charles Becker -  Highest level Cop Executed in the History of The U.S.
• Antonio 'Salem' Salemne
• Pasquale Vendetti
• Giuseppe Marendi
• Father Hans Schmidt - First Priest Executed in the History of the U.S.
• Roy Champlain  - After the noise and smell of cutting through his carbonized brain, Oresto started a raucous in the Death House. Sawing sounds, puncturing, piercing and smashing.
• Giovanni Supe
• Antonio Impolluzzo - Murdered Gaetano LoMonte, leader of a Morello/Terranova clan on Oct. 13, 1915

1. Francis Mulchfeldt - 19 January 1914
2. Frank Cirofici  - 13 April 1914
3. Harry Horowitz -  13 April 1914
4. Joseph Sidemschner - 13 April 1914 "Whitey Lewis"
5. Louis Rosenberg - 13 April 1914 "Lefty"
6. Pietro Rebacci - 22 June 1914
7. George Coyer - 31 August 1914
8. Giuseppe DeGioia - 31 August 1914
9. William Bressen - 2 September 1914
10. Joseph McKenna - 2 September 1914
11. Michael Sarzano - 9 December 1914
12. Lee Dock - 5 February 1915
13. Eng Hing - 5 February 1915
14. Vincenzo Campanelli - 26 February 1915
15. Robert Kane - 26 February 1915
16. Oscar Vogt - 26 February 1915
17. Giuseppe Gino - 22 March 1915
18. Vincenzo Buoninsegno - 31 May 1915
19. Joseph Ferri - 30 June 1915
20. David Dunn -  2 July 1915
21. Charles Becker - 30 July 1915 *First Police Officer Executed in the History of New York State
22. Samuel Haynes - 30 July 1915
23. Karol Draniewicz - 27 August 1915
24. William Perry - 3 September 1915
25. Lewis Roach - 3 September 1915
26. Antonio Salemne - 3 September 1915
27. Thomas Tarpey - 3 September 1915
28. Pasquale Vendetti - 3 September 1915
29. Worthy Tolley - 17 December 1915
30. Ludwig Marquardt - 17 December 1915
31. Antonio Pontón - 7 January 1916
32. Giuseppe Marendi - 4 February 1916
33. Father Hans B. Schmidt - 18 February 1916  *First Catholic Priest Executed in the History of U.S.
34. Walter Watson -  3 March 1916
35. Charles Sprague - 1 May 1916
36. Roy Champlain - 2 June 1916
37. Giovanni Supe - 2 June 1916
38. Oresto Shillitani - 30 June 1916
39. Bradford, Allen - 4 August 1916
40. Jan Trybus  - 1 September 1916
41. Thomas Bambrick - 7 October 1916
42. Charles Kumrow  - 19 December 1916
43. Stanley Millstein - 19 December 1916
44. Antonio Impoluzzo - 17 May 1917
45. Arthur Waite - 24 May 1917
46. Arthur Waldenen - 12 July 1917
47. Joseph Mulholland - 30 August 1917
48. Alex Shuster -  30 August 1917

An unprecedented Manhunt for "The Kid" ensued after he killed three people, including two New York City Patrolmen and a Gangster. [The Washington Herald, May 6, 1913]. A complete shutdown of all ways out of New York City was ordered. When bridges and rails were re-opened no one could leave Manhattan without proper identification, jamming up every mode of transportation in the city for an unprecedented six weeks. For six weeks, hundreds and hundreds, of patrolmen, detectives, and reserves came up with nothing. Not one person would give up his whereabouts, for fear of death.

After days of frustration, U.S. Soldiers were even brought in to help. Nothing. With an over-whelming 1000 plus law enforcement and government employees on the trail, they could only come up with a 100 or so look-alike suspects. When "The Paper Box Kid" decided to save his father from prosecution, he turned himself in. For these crimes the courts of New York sentenced him to death. [Washington Post, May 28, 1915] The grueling manhunt came to an end only when the gangster original decided it would. By turning himself in, he walked into a sure fate of death, saving his father from living the rest of his life in jail.

The Kid started early, a real young up and coming Italian Gunfighter. the industrious Kid runs several business' by the time he is 15. By the time he is 21, he is one of the most feared gangsters in the N.Y.C. and runs many business' up and down Mulberry Street.

All gangsters had codes and rules to follow, but the code of Respect...reigned supreme to all others. A gangster's survival depended on it. Without respect on the streets you were either an organ grinder, a peanut vendor, or a dead gangster. Disrespect of a gangster's territory, family, or person, carried the death sentence in all realms of the gangster justice system. Every gangster knew the code and it's ramifications.

Cops in New York City would make their rounds walking to the code of "kill your own and we leave you alone". The cops were happy to see another dead gangster, and the gangsters were happy to "off" a rival without having to worry about a long stint in prison. These unwritten codes, with gangsters and cops alike, governed the streets of the big city for decades. 

Separation from these codes, left two fine police officers and one brazen gang leader dead on Mulberry Street. The Gangster Original followed the rules and codes he lived by, and took care of things the only way he knew. On this day, his life, and quite possibly the territories of the American Mafia, would change forever.

Gangster Original was the only one to survive an escape in the death house's 185 year history, he was recaptured, and "The Paper Box Kid" was executed by electric chair as witnessed by a standing room only crowd in The Death Chamber. [Squire, Amos Osborne. Sing Sing Doctor, Madison, Wis.: Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1935]

His Escape was the catalyst of prison reforms that prevented escapes in the death house for the remainder of it's operation (successful or not) from 1916 - 1969 (Death House closure). [Squire, Amos Osborne. Sing Sing Doctor, Madison, Wis.: Doubleday, Doran & Company, 1935] The only other escape in the history of The Death House at Sing Sing, was by Frank Rohl and Thomas Pallister. In 1893, they got shot in their escape raft and never made it alive to the free shores of the river. [Number 1500, Life in Sing Sing, Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs-Merrill Co., 1904][Lawes, Lewis. Life and Death in Sing Sing, 1929]

Although the alma mater of Sing Sing Prison includes some of the most notorious, infamous, devious and crafty Gangsters, whom drafted, drawn, and plotted hundreds and hundreds of escape plans...None were ever able to escape to Death House and make it to free shores. The annals of history will show it was only "The Paper Box Kid" that accomplished this feat. [Lawes, Lewis. Life and Death in Sing Sing, 1929]