He emphasizes the fact that in as much as he had previously pled guilty to the same charges, and now is standing trial for them, he had greatly weakened his case, so that there was no possibility of any verdict other than guilty to be returned by the jurors.
At the present time this man is quite bitter toward the officials whom he feels double-crossed him, or would not live up to the agreement that they had made, and by which they induced him to plead guilty in the present case. His attitude towards his present environment, however, is quite favorable. He is interested in his surroundings and appears to be interested in carrying out the conditions imposed by the prison rules. He states that he is at present assigned to work in the shoe shop, where he gets along very well but finds the work not at all interesting, and in as much as the periods during which these men are permitted to go out on the recreation field is quite short, he stating that it is from 3:30 - 3:55 PM daily, and for about a quarter hour each Monday and Wednesday evening, during the summer months, he does not get enough physical exercise nor enough recreation outdoors.
Capone states that he is very interested in athletics and likes to take an active part in such sports as baseball. It is on this account that he is anxious to be assigned to work on the athletic field or on the athletic detail. He is looking forward to the possibility of being permitted to sponsor some professional fights for the entertainment of the prison body.
During the interview this man exhibits no mannerisms. No evidence of hallucinations or delusions can be elicited. The stock of general information and school knowledge is in keeping with his educational advantages and experience. His insight is good. He states that he is been dealt with unjustly, especially by the press, and that numerous crimes, for which he had no knowledge and in which he was in no way implicated, related his door merely to increase the circulation of the papers and to add interest to the story. He states that this having been done has caused him to be looked upon as a much more lawless individual that actually is. He readily admits, however, having violated the national Prohibition act, and in fact states that practically all of his money has come from the source and from gambling. He uses as an argument in defense of himself as regards the income tax violation, the statement that/he filed income tax returns and shown the source of his revenue, the government, by accepting part of it as a tax, would have been party to the offenses of which he was guilty. During the interview very little information other than that brought out could be elicited. On several occasions he stated that he could not give this information, or he wished to have the information given kept as confidential. His judgment as evidenced by his behavior during the interview is shown to be good.
* * *
Theresa Capone photographed in the yard of the Prairie Avenue property in Chicago.
May 6, 1932
Theresa Capone
7244 Prairie Ave.,
Chicago, Illinois
Mother’s Day Greetings to a dear mother. You’re everybody’s mother you can help and cheer. You’re always spreading sunshine to everybody near. You mother people’s troubles. You smile the clouds away. You always know just what to do and sweetest things to say.
God bless you mama,
Alphonse Capone
#40886
* * *
December 24, 1932
Mrs. Theresa Capone
7244 Prairie Ave.
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Mother,
Well Ma how are you and the family. Am wishing all of you at home a Merry Christmas. Also Joe, Ralphie and Delores and Mafalda a real nice big Christmas kiss for me. Am in hope of seeing you real soon and will give you yours’. Don’t worry try and be merry and may God Bless all of you. Love and kisses to you the sweetest little mother in the world.
Alphonse Capone
Number 40886
* * *
May 13, 1933
Mrs. Theresa Capone
7244 Prairie Ave.
Chicago, Ill.
Dear Mother,
It’s just a simple little word. But it seems the world to me. For it means the best and noblest word that anyone can be. I know that God made that little word to stand for all that’s true. I know he called mother because he named after you. All that I am, all that I hope to be, I owe all to you.
Dear Mother with the passing of years the realization of my debt of gratitude grows more profound and my love ever deeper and stronger. May God Bless you and love to all.
Your Dear Son,
Al
* * *
Mrs. May Capone Atlanta, GA May 13, 1933
Address: 7244 Prairie Ave.
Chicago
Dear Wife
We have set apart a Mother’s day from all the days in the year. And I want to bring my tribute to somebody precious and dear. I want to wish all gladness and happiness to the sweetest woman – my wife.
For you are part of Mother’s day. And the greatest part of my life. All that I am, all that I hope to be I owe to you dear wife. With passing years the realization of my debt of gratitude grows more profound, and my love ever deeper and stronger for you, and may God Bless you and love to all.
Your dear husband
Al
Alphonse Capone
Number 40886
* * *
Atlanta, Georgia
Dear Sir:
I respectfully appeal to you for a construction of “Bulletin No. 24” as it will apply to me, or rather to the visits of my Mother, Wife, Son, and the rest of my family. Since my incarceration here it has been the custom of my family to visit me each month, and until this new rule has been applied, I have had the pleasure of having three visits a month, to run consecutively for three days, at one hour each day. Such visit’s has been the privilege I have valued highest of all, for I know such visit’s short as they may have been, always have been a world full of joy and happiness for my family and myself.
But if I correctly interpret the import of Bulletin 24, starting this month our visit’s are to be shortened to one visit a month, and for one, and one day, regardless how far the visitor must travel to visit the prisoner relative, that kind Sir, is the point I am appealing to you for information upon. In order to visit me my family must travel approximately two thousand miles, that is the trip both way’s, will that distance Sir, entitle them to at least see two days in a row, for one hour each day, Mr. Warden if you can see your way clear to allow me that privilege. I am sure that you will be doing something that will be more than appreciated, and I know it will sure make my family and myself happy and contented.
Now Sir, if you can’t possibly allow me this privilege, then maybe you will possibly consider this other favor for me, will you allow me, that is if you can’t do the above for us, allow me to have my same three visit’s on the 24, 25, 26th of this month, to run consecutively, and at the same time as always, that is one hour each day, and then I will arrange with my family not to come down until after three months are over, now Sir, the reason I ask this favor, is the fact of the long trip, it is rather expensive, and if you will kindly give me the power of it being done this way, I am sure that we will more than appreciate it, sure hope you will consider this condition, for the sake of my family, as it sure mean’s plenty to able to see them for a few hours a month, thanking you in advance, and sure hope and pray that you will consider this favorably.
Mr. Warden, I am sorry to take so much of your time, but I would like to again have the pleasure, of again reminding you, if you can possibly give me a chance or some other detail, as I know have been here over two years, and I am sure that my work has been satisfactory, and intend to keep it so as long as I am here, I request Sir, if you will consider me, for work either at the Baker Shop or at the Tennis court as a helper, as I am familiar with both details, and the main reason Sir, is the fact that they are both too good details where I can get plenty of exercise, and sunshine and fresh air, as I have a terrible case of nose trouble, and have been operated on twice, and Dr. Ossenfort, can a
lso verify my condition, and as long as I can get some air and sun, and exercise, I will sure be grateful to you, and sure will do my utmost to prove the privilege will be respected.
In regards to my job at the Shoe Shop, I have been running the “Sticher” for my whole period that I have been here, and understand my job 100%, and have broken in a new man who understands running the machine very well, but if Sir, will grant me chance to change my detail, I will be more than glad to fix the machine on my stopade time, or any other time I am needed, and be glad to help at all times, sure hope you will consider me, and give me a chance to advance myself, and also improve my health, thanking you again, and sure hope you will give me a chance to prove myself.
Respectfully yours,
/s/ Alphonse Capone 40886
* * *
Capone’s transfer order to the United States Penitentiary Alcatraz.
A photo of the prison train that carried Capone from Atlanta to the front doorstep of Alcatraz. The inmates are shown being unloaded and lined-up to make their march up to the cellhouse. This photo was taken by a family member of an Alcatraz guard. The six-car train with barred windows was dubbed the “Forty Thieves Special” as it rolled across the United States with forty notorious passengers. The trip took three and a half days from Atlanta to San Francisco.
As part of one of the first groups of inmates to arrive on Alcatraz, Capone would be subject to some of the most strict and harshest conditions during its history. He would hold two job assignments; one as the yard sweep in the Alcatraz Recreation Yard, and later in the Clothing Issue located inside the Shower Room. While working in the yard, he had a front row view of the Golden Gate Bridge during its construction and opening in May of 1937, as well as watching planes fly overhead during the pioneering era of aviation.
7244 Prairie Avenue
Chicago, Illinois
December 3, 1934
Hon. Homer Cummings
Attorney-General United States
Washington, D.C.
Honorable Sir:
During all of the time my son, Alphonse Capone, was incarcerated in the Federal Prison at Atlanta, his wife and myself were permitted to visit him in compliance with the rules of that prison.
We desire to visit him at the prison at which he is now confined, namely, the Alcatraz, located in the Pacific Ocean. We understand the rules of that prison in respect to visitors are such to make it impossible to meet under the same conditions which existed at Atlanta, Ga.
We respectfully request you exert your influence to enable us to visit this prisoner as formerly, and to be accorded the same privileges as existed at that time. We trust that we are not, in this request, seeking a special and forbidden privilege, and relay upon your sense of fairness and humanity to enable us to secure this privilege.
I remain,
Respectfully yours,
Theresa Capone
* * *
February 25, 1935
Warden
U.S. Penitentiary
Alcatraz Island, California
Dear Sir:
We have just received a memorandum from the division of investigation dated February 20, 1935, reading as follows:
Kindly be informed that Mr. Claude E. Sorensen, a guard at Alcatraz Island, recently conferred with the Special Agent in charge of this Division at San Francisco, California, and furnished the following information concerning Al Capone, who at the present time is incarcerated in that institution.
He stated that his duties brought him into contact with our Capone considerably and that recently he has noticed the Capone has been endeavoring to be exceptionally friendly to him; that he had made many friendly overtures, and on one occasion how Capone suggested that he would subscribe to several magazines to be sent to Mr. Sorenson; that he, Mr. Sorenson, advise the agent in charge that he believes these friendly advances on the part of Capone were intended to lay the groundwork for future requests. It was ascertained by the agent in charge that Mr. Sorenson had not submitted this information either to the Warden project the Warden, and I thought the same should, therefore, be called your attention.
It seems strange that an employee of your institution would divulge any information of this character, and we are asking that you make an immediate investigation and report the facts to us, with such further recommendation as you may care to make.
Yours very truly,
W. T. Hammack
Assistant Director
* * *
United States Bureau of Investigation
Date: February 27, 1935
Report made at San Francisco, California
File Number: 62-138
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:
J.W. Watts
J.W. Watts, inmate Alcatraz federal penitentiary, furnished information certain convicts in connivance with certain guards at Atlanta federal penitentiary “strong-armed” subject Capone on a number of occasions and extorted large sums of money from Capone; that guards Sparling, Chadner, and Coleman brought into the penitentiary narcotics; that the guards or civilian employees would take out messages for convicts, if paid. Heard rumors only that Dr. Beall was presented with pony by subject Capone.
REFERENCE
Report by Special Agent Walter A. Scott Jr., dated December 3, 1934, at San Francisco California.
DETAILS
J.W. Watts, inmate Alcatraz federal penitentiary, furnished the following information in strictest confidence and under no circumstances which is his name revealed, and is under the impression that his life would be taken if he became known as a “squealer.” J.W. Watts stated that he was committed to Atlanta federal penitentiary December 15, 1929, to serve twenty-five years for mail robbery and was removed Alcatraz federal penitentiary in August, 1934; that while in Atlanta federal penitentiary he worked as a clerk in the duck mill; that Alphonse Capone was a fellow convict at Atlanta; that on a number of occasions money was obtained from Al Capone through extortion and threats of death and bodily harm while at Atlanta federal penitentiary by certain convicts with the cooperation in connivance of certain guards, named Guard Sparling, nicknamed “Shell Shock,” now a tenant of guards at Alcatraz penitentiary; Guard Coleman and Guard Chadner, both of whom are, as far as he knows, still at Atlanta penitentiary, and probably other guards; that he knows of two or three occasions on which subject Capone was “strong-armed” by convicts Coggins “Bamma” (true name not known), “Tennessee” (true name not known), and Sheehan, the point of a knife struck on the throat of Capone, and he was made to promise to produce a specified sum of money - $1,800 at one time; that guards Sparling and Coleman received a part of this money; that other convicts who were beneficiaries of the extortion obtained from subject Capone were Doc Lancaster, J.M. McGinnis, and “Grip,” a convict from Los Angeles (last name unknown), and H. Montgomery (AZ-67), now an inmate of Alcatraz penitentiary.
Harold Montgomery
Watts stated that convict Montgomery had established a contact at a small hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, name of which sounds like “Piedmont” but he is not sure of the correctness of name; that the money extorted from subject Capone was brought to the set hotel and called for by Guards Sparling, Coleman or Chadner; that Coleman with part of the money extorted from Capone would buy a morphine and bring it into the penitentiary and deliver same to convict Montgomery who sold the dope to other convicts; that he (Watts) on two occasions saw Guard Coleman deliver morphine to convict Montgomery. J.W. Watts further stated that in cooperation of his statements in regard to Guards Coleman and Chadner, the government should be able to readily verify same from an ex convict, one Johnny Spizzato, who was a name cellmate of his (Watts) at Atlanta federal penitentiary and who on his release from Atlanta penitentiary went to Albany, New York, and made several shipments of narcotics through an underworld contact to Guards Coleman and Chadner, which shipments of narcotics were eventually brought into the penitentiary at Atlanta; that convict Montgomery used his sister, are believed to live in Albany, New York, to make
outside underworld contacts and to whom convict Montgomery furnishes money.
J.W. Watts also further stated that there was a rumor at Atlanta penitentiary that subject Capone gave Doctor Beall a Shetland pony but has no direct information concerning same. He also further stated that the guard or civilian employee at Atlanta penitentiary who would not take out letters, messages or money to be forwarded to connections, relatives or friends of the convicts was the exception and for which he would charge “plenty”; that in case of money being surreptitiously sent out by convicts, a man by the name of Butler and a foreman or guard in charge of the tailor shop in Atlanta, a man about forty years of age, height 5’8”, weight about 180 pounds, slightly gray hair, we charge 30% of the amount taken out as a commission; that guards Coleman, Chadner and Sparling and other guards and foreman took a commission 50% of the money taken out.
Letters from Alcatraz Page 7
