Chapter 1

Page 1

Big Al in the federal pokey in Atlanta
On October 18, 1931, Al Capone, the notorious Chicago gangster (1899-1947), aka "Scarface," was convicted after trial on various charges including tax evasion and prohibition-related and, on November 24, was sentenced to eleven years in federal prison, fined $50,000 and charged $7,692 for court costs, in addition to $215,000 plus interest due on back taxes. The six-month contempt of court sentence was to be served concurrently. While awaiting the results of appeals, Capone was confined to the Cook County Jail. Upon denial of appeals, he entered the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta, serving his sentence there and at Alcatraz. More...

the Chicago Outfit
The Chicago Outfit is an Italian American Mafia crime family based in Chicago, Illinois, and throughout the Greater Chicago area, originating in the city's South Side in the early 1910s.

Page 2

pineapples come…
In the 1930s, "pineapples" was a colloquial term for the Mk 2 fragmentation grenades, which became a military standard during this period. While actual pineapples were not exploding, the iconic grenade's grooved, cast-iron body gave it a strong resemblance to the fruit.

Santa Flavia
Santa Flavia is a small town in Sicily known for its picturesque coastal scenery, as well as its Mafia presence which has historically included significant power and activity. The municipality has been identified as a key area for Cosa Nostra operations, including drug trafficking, extortion, and other organized criminal activities. Mafia activity in Sicily during the 1930s focused on controlling businesses and local politics through extortion and intimidation, rather than operating under formal, legitimate fronts like a chamber of commerce.

Page 4

prominent loophound
a loophound is a somewhat mocking slangy term for someone (sometimes a lawyer, sometimes a layperson) who hunts for loopholes instead of engaging with the spirit or intent of a rule.

Page 5

REO Speed Wagon
a light motor truck model manufactured by REO Motor Car Company. An ancestor of the pickup truck, it was first introduced in 1915 and production continued through at least 1953. Wikipedia

Page 6

run his usual unsociable O-O
In detective and law-enforcement slang, “run an O-O” means to conduct an “observation operation,” which is shorthand for a stakeout or surveillance job.

Page 7

front page of the Journal
The Milwaukee Journal was a dominant force in Milwaukee during the 1930s. It was known for its widespread readership and large circulation, making it the largest newspaper in Wisconsin at the time.

Page 8

doubtful tomato quality
In the 1930s, the slang term "tomato" most commonly referred to an attractive, good-looking woman. The term originated in the late 1920s and was based on the idea of "juicy plumpness". In this context, amateur or non-professional criminal matters were low rent, including the attractiveness of the women involved.

Page 9

a Christmas créche
In French villages the Christmas crib (crèche) traditionally contains figurines representing a miller, a wood-cutter and other villagers as well as the Holy Family and the traditional cow, donkey and shepherds. The Three Wise Men are added to the nativity scene at Epiphany (6 January, Twelfth Night).

Page 11

time-motion snoopers
The phrase "time-motion snoopers" is a derogatory term for the practice of using employee monitoring to conduct time and motion studies. While traditional time and motion studies were an industrial engineering technique to improve efficiency, the term "snoopers" implies surveillance, distrust, and an invasive, dehumanizing approach to management.

swindle sheets
a derogatory slang term for an expense account or a log sheet, implying the document is used to deceive or defraud someone. The term originated in the US in the early 20th century and was famously used by truckers to describe log books where they would falsify entries to show proper rest when they were actually driving more hours.

Old Log Cabin
During prohibition (1920-1933), Old Log Cabin, an American company, was made in Canada and became a favorite import of bootleggers, especially Al Capone’s infamous smuggling operations. Old Log Cabin website

Korbel brandy
While Korbel wasn't a big favorite in Wisconsin, Wisconsin drinkers did develop a taste for brandy during the Prohibition era, primarily from other California producers. Milwaukee and Wisconsin drinkers enjoyed the broader availability of brandy and incorporated fruit and soda into their old fashioneds, a practice that continued after Prohibition ended.