October 11, 1926 Chicago, Illinois Gangster Hymie Weiss (born Henry Earl J. Wojciechowski) is killed in a gangland hit Weiss, sometimes called “the only man Al Capone feared,” was with Sam Peller (his bodyguard), Paddy Murray (another gangster), William O’Brien (an attorney), and Benjamin Jacobs (an investigator working for O’Brien) when two men shot at… Continue reading Chicago gangster Hymie Weiss killed in hit
Tag: 1920s
Brothers who remained inseparable in life hang themselves to die inseparable as well
September 26, 1922 Gorham, Maine The bodies of two men are found hanging in a tree in a suspected double suicide The men, Charles and James Westervelt, were identified the day following their discovery, after initials were found on their clothing and traced back to a clothing store and laundry service. The men were from… Continue reading Brothers who remained inseparable in life hang themselves to die inseparable as well
Girl kidnapped, raped, killed; killer goes to execution with indifference
September 22, 1924 Gary, Indiana 10-year-old Annie Tomicik is abducted, sexually assaulted, strangled, and buried Annie was offered a ride by Peter Vergolini who killed her and buried her nude body, her hands still restrained at her sides, in sand dunes. Vergolini was questioned about her disappearance and, after an “all night grilling,” confessed to… Continue reading Girl kidnapped, raped, killed; killer goes to execution with indifference
Woman dies of ruptured bladder, thought by some to have been killed during sexual assault
September 9, 1921 San Francisco, California Actress Virginia Rappe dies of a ruptured bladder and peritonitis Rappe had attended a party on September 5 with various other celebrities including Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle. During the evening, the guests became drunk (despite the party occurring during the Prohibition), and Rappe reportedly began stripping after complaining she could… Continue reading Woman dies of ruptured bladder, thought by some to have been killed during sexual assault
Man depressed over his unemployment kills 8, is wounded in shootout with police
September 3, 1927 Youngstown, Ohio Tony de Capua (alt. spelling Decapua) kills 7 family members and a neighbor after becoming despondent from being unemployed De Capua (42) was an out-of-work steel mill worker; it appears his unemployment was the motive behind the mass murder. On September 3, de Capua used a revolver to shoot those… Continue reading Man depressed over his unemployment kills 8, is wounded in shootout with police
