From The Archives - November 2013

Ralph "Bottles" Capone, Sr.

Raffaele James Capone, aka "Ralph" or "Bottles", is historically known as the older brother of the notorious Alphonse "Al" Capone.  Although his criminal reputation paled in comparison to that of Al's, he became a key player for the Outfit in his own right.  Born in Italy in 1894, his mother took him and his brother, Vincenzo, with her to start a new life in America where his father, Gabriele, had gone six months prior.  They settled near the Navy yards in Brooklyn, New York after having entered the United States through Ellis Island.  Alphonse was born four years later, and the Capones soon after moved away from the Navy yards to Park Slope, Brooklyn, New York.  At the age of 21, Ralph married his first wife, Filomena, who was four years his junior.  They had one son, Ralph Gabriele Capone, Jr.  During this time, Al had begun his relationship with Johnny Torrio (see above).  When Torrio had beckoned Al to come to Chicago with him in anticipation of Prohibition in 1918, Al brought along Ralph, who only brought with him his son as Filomena did not want to join him.  Their divorce was finalized in 1921.  While Al would eventually come to lead the Outfit, Ralph was placed in charge of the bottling plants, hence his nickname "Bottles".  The Outfit tried to monopolize the non-alcoholic beverage and soft-drink industries because of how frequently both were used to mix with alcohol.  The success he had in the business was exemplified when he was regarded as the top soft-drink vendor behind Coca-Cola at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.  In April 1930, the Chicago Crime Commission named Al Capone "Public Enemy No. 1" - Ralph was named No. 3.  Once Al was convicted of tax-evasion in 1931, Frank Nitti took control of the Outfit, while Ralph was put in charge of Chicago's Cotton Club, a white's-only nightclub chain that was originally established in New York.  It served as a front for gambling and other vices.  Ralph was not as careful about hiding his wealth as his brother, Al, which made him a target for Elliott Ness (U.S. Treasury Department)and Nels Tessem (IRS).  Ralph was arrested at a boxing match and, like his brother, was indicted and convicted of tax-evasion charges, which led to a three-year prison sentence.  After his release, Ralph moved to Mercer, Wisconsin, where he opened up "The Red Hotel" and attached tavern named "Billy's Barn".  The hotel served as a reliable place for members of the Outfit to hide out.  Although Ralph was regarded as a front man and "elder statesman" for the Outfit, the amount of influence he had was minimal at best.  This was revealed in his testimony to the U.S. Senate Kefauver Committee, which investigated organized crime that crossed state boundaries.  Ralph died of natural causes in 1974 in Hurley, Wisconsin.  This article discusses some of the testimony Ralph gave to the Kefauver Committee.  
        
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