1920’s Chicago Outfit Boss – Giovanni Torrio

During the 1920’s, the Chicago version of the Mafia family was known as the Outfit that operated under the leadership of Giovanni Torrio also popularly called as ‘Papa Johnny’. This criminal family ran prostitution racked and illegal liquor empire. In American organized crime’s history, the Outfit’s feud with the American-Irish bootleggers has been stated to be the worst kind of violence witnessed during this period, which paved way for the leadership of Al Capone. Torrio, in his later life had assisted in creating the Commission, which is known to be still in place in the United States, governing the mob.

Early life

With regards to the birth place of Torrio, no one is sure, with some experts suggesting it to be on 20th January, 1882 and somewhere in South Italy. At the small age of 2, his father died, after which, he was taken to New York City by his mother.

He grew in the slum neighborhood on Manhattan’s Lower East Side that was populated by immigrants. After his mother’s second marriage to a grocery store owner, his stepfather had hired him to work as a porter. The store was considered to be Torrio’s crime introduction and served as illegal liquor front.

Life as a mafia

Giovanni’s joined a gang of boys called James Street Gang of whose leader, he became very soon. This gang was allied to Lower Manhattan’s notorious 4 Points Gang.

With the money saved, Torrio had a billiards hall opened up in Brooklyn for his boys to hang out and to plan crimes. Through this parlor several young criminals were raised, which included the famous Al Capone.

Paulo Vaccarelli or Paul Kelly, as he was known and boss of Five Points Gang, was impressed with the business success of Torrio and made him his lieutenant. From a street thug, Torrio converted into a well dressed businessman vested with legitimate interests, thereby earning the name ‘the Fox’.

His members were involved in several rackets, like opium trafficking and prostitution. But gambling, especially the numbers game was their big money earner. Also, he had few legitimate businesses which included Coney Island tavern called Harvard Inn and billiards hall. Later on, he joined his uncle and led the mafia enterprise called ‘The Chicago Outfit’.

On 16th April 1957, he suffered a major attack when at the barber’s place and died several hours later. Due to his becoming obscure, his death was not take notice of by the press.