Chi-Town

The year 1837, Chicago incorporated. Later the fledging town literally was mud jacked from the swamp lands which it sat on, and eventually implemented its own police presence sometime in the 1850’s. The boom town with its rag-tag group of law enforcement officers took on a life of its own and still struggles with many of the same issues today.

Chicago from its earliest beginnings has been home to some of the most famous and notable Mafioso crime figures in American history.

Law enforcement agencies of Chicago still faces the same status quo today as in the past. With its continuous corruption by certain local elected politicians and exploitation of a small number of police; lawlessness, disorder and mayhem continue running wild and uncontainable. Will Chicagoans’ ever learn?

It was not until later in the late 1800’s early 1900’s, that the city’s most notable underworld figures came crawling out of the woodwork, like Roger Plant. An emigrant who migrated from England and established the first house of ill repute called, “Under the Willows” whorehouse. From this modest beginning, this criminal practice got its start and quickly made its presences known in Mud-City or Chi-town as it is now frequently referred to. The criminal element emerged quickly during the latter part of the 1800’s and early 1900’s, when many notable crime figures appeared in the windy city filling a void for corruption and exploitation.

Michael “Hinky Dink” Kenna and John “Bathhouse John” Coughlin were an unlikely pair who appeared on scene around that time. They were total opposites. Hinky Dink was very low key and passive, while Bathhouse John was flamboyant and lively. They were two of the most memorable and colorful men born around 1850’s and later become known as “Lords of the Levee”. Both were later elected as aldermen in Chicago’s 1st ward which held the distinction of being the richest but most corrupt ward in Chicago at the time. Ward 1 boasted of its diverse businesses such as bordello’s, cheap hotels, nightclubs, bars and churches. Plus, a mixture of brothel-keepers, prostitutes, bettors, thieves, business men, both professional and common crooks.

Chicago’s Ward 1 operated wide open up until around 1910 when all houses of ill repute and wagering parlors were forced to close. But that was not the end of the notorious era of Chicago’s underworld only a precursor as to what was to follow.

During the early years of mob presences, many notable characters appeared from out of nowhere,

such as:

Al Capone, Don O’Banion, Bugs Moran and Tony Accardo to name a few.

Around the time of the Great Depression Chicago underwent numerous changes and considerable turmoil. Chicago was in a for a turbulent ride for years to follow. Many different events which changed the cultural and tone of the city during the years from 1930 thru 1939.

Chicago held its own Century of Progress World’s Fair.

There were even outbreaks of violence by those calling themselves Communist on public streets and on public property.

The University of Chicago Medical Center was completed.

The Committee on Social Thought was formed.

The Heisman Trophy was awarded for the first time in Chicago in 1937 by the Downtown Athletic Club.

A second Chicago Union Stock Yard fire in Chicago’s history happened in 1934.

It was not long until A Great Migration of Blacks invaded the city, settling on the south side later became known as the Black Belt.

“The Little Steel Strike” as it was referred to was an indiscriminate and brutal slaughter of ten people killed by local police.

The Chicago Cubs baseball team won the National League pennant.

And Raceway Park completed.

*Wikipedia

The underworld had become so entrenched during those early years and yet runs deep in Chicago’s overall fabric even today. It’s not the bad boys of yesteryears but a “New Breed” today. They are smart, sophisticated bankers, lawyers, and business entrepreneurs along with lesser educated street thugs who are brilliant and intense in their own right. They are the street-smart pimps, drug dealers, savvy hustlers experienced in handling the dangers within the urban environment in which they live. It’s still as lawless and corrupt metropolitan area same as yesteryear but on a diverse level. Its violent corrupt ways are more intense and unforgiving today as any time in its past. Today’s drive-by shootings and killings in the windy city is no different than in the 20’s or’30’s, only more frequent and without explanation, purpose or justification.

No matter how much things have changed over the years, violence still runs ramped in Chi-town as in the bygone days. The gang violence, and lawlessness on the city street of Chi-Town today are no different than in its heyday of the mob supremacy in the windy city. There’s still an ongoing, uphill battle as the city fathers raise public awareness, along with their rage against such acts of violence but to no avail. It’s a most difficult challenge, one which continues in taking the lives of its young and old without rhyme or reason.

The “New Breed” as they were later referred began forming in the late 1960’s on the south side of Chicago. Two rival groups laid the foundation for a gang called the “Black Gangster Disciples.” Since that time the numerous gangs (past and present) have continually reorganized themselves throughout the city, struggling with deadly activities on a daily basis in order to retain power and dominance over rival gangs throughout the city.

Rival gangs with diverse backgrounds and ethnicities clash over anything not in their best interest. You find pockets of the New Breed in all neighborhoods throughout Chicago, especially the south east and south west sides.

Part of that New Breed “aka”, The Black Gangsters, is considered one of the most notorious and infamous of all the gangs running wild in the windy city.