So, as promised, I’ve found some new information on Silver Dollar Sam and want to pass it on to everyone.
First, regarding the story on Sam and Al Capone meeting at the New Orleans train station and Sam sending him packing back to Chicago with his bodyguards nursing broken fingers. It appears more likely that the source for this myth would likely be that, yes, a Capone was in New Orleans but it was Ralph “Bottles” Capone. Bottles was arrested several times in February of 1928. The Fairgrounds Race Track in New Orleans was a premiere winter race track in it’s day and Bottles was a known “horseman”. Whether or not he had a horse in the races I haven’t been able to find out. Ralph, at least in that time frame, bore a good resemblance to Al as well.
How and when this (actual event) morphed into the popular myth I don’t know but I think it’s safe to say that it’s just that!
Regarding the end of Sam’s life and his return to New Orleans. I recently got hold of some old Life magazines and one had an article that helped shed light on that time period. In the summer of 1969 Sam’s son Anthony and daughter Sarah Misacura travel to Italy to bring their ailing father back to the States. From Windsor Canada he slips back into the U.S. via Detroit early in 1970. He’s discovered by a local newsman as a patient in a NOLA hospital in February of 1970 having suffered from a heart attack. When it was discovered by authorities that Sam was illegally back in the US a Grand Jury indicted him. After leaving the hospital Sam stayed with his daughter Sarah. The case against Sam would end up going nowhere as he dies a few months later in June 1970. Sarah would pass in 1980 and Anthony in 2007 while holding the title of boss of NOLA.
One last note. The last name of the family is often seen as Carolla but can be found as Carollo as well. I’ve confirmed the correct spelling is Carollo from the family tomb.
A big thanks to Mario Gomes for the Bottles info and pictures. Recommend checking out his site for all things Al. My Al Capone Museum
"I'm always learning something new," he says. "Often when I think I have the whole story down on a subject, some new bit of info will pop up and lead off into another interesting direction."
Among the tales of pirates, voodoo priestesses, and vampires, New Orleans holds a long Mafia history. Most people will automatically think of Carlos Marcello, as the father of the New Orleans Mafia. Most people will also assume that the first Mafia family was in New York City. Even many locals don't know that New Orleans has Mafia roots predating the Civil War, giving their wonderful city the distinction of being home to the first Mafia family in the United States.
So let's explore the lesser known stories, facts, and even some OC fiction in a little space of the NCS Ron calls, the Crescent Corner.
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