The lifestyle of the 1920's was like none other for Americans. F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby is an excellent example of the culture and the mood of the 1920's. Spendable income was at an all-time high, while the "noble experiment" or prohibition was turning the common man into a criminal. With the passage of the 18th amendment, organized crime exploded on the urban scene. Also, the American dream was being realized every day.
             "Gangsters who trafficked in illegal booze were greedy and battled each other to monopolize the liquor trade in various parts of American cities and States" (Pietrusza 31). New York City and Chicago were focal points for gangster and organized crime in the 1920's. Chicago had always been known for its excessive gambling and prostitution rings, but the 18th amendment opened a new door for illegal money to flow (Pietrusza 32). One of the more familiar names from Chicago's wild past is that of Al Capone. After being raised in New York City, he moved to Chicago in 1919 and met Johnny Torrio. Torrio was the nephew to criminal mastermind Big Sim Colosimo. Torrio was an ambitious man and was envious of his uncle. When Colosimo rejected Torrio's bootlegging offer, Torrio made arrangements to have him killed. Torrio ordered Capone to do the job. After the murder, Capone and Torrio took over Chicago's south side (Pietrusza 31).
             Chicago's north side was headed by mob boss Dion O'Banion. O'Banion decided to get out of the bootlegging business in May 1924. He sold Sieben brewery to Capone and Torrio for $500,000, but before Capone could use it O'Banion tipped off the cops, and the brewery was destroyed. On November 10th, 1924, Capone would have his revenge on O'Banion. In one of his flower shop fronts, O'Banion was making flower arrangements for Mike Merlo's Funeral when four of Capone's men entered and shot O'Banion dead (Pietrusza 32). Capone took the main stage in 1926 when Torrio was wounded in a gunfight ...