Johnny Torrio

Born: January 20th, 1882

Died: April 16th, 1957

Johnny "The Fox" Torrio was an Italian-American mobster who built up the gang empire known as the Chicago Outfit. Johnny Torrio became Al Capone's biggest mentor and partner in crime during the 1920s.

Johnny Torrio

Early Life

The young Torrio was born in Italy on January 20th, 1882. At the age of two, Johnny and his family came to New York and lived in the ghettos of the Lower East Side of Manhattan. As a child, he worked as a porter at his stepfather's grocery. There he was exposed to moonshine and beer drinkers.

Even as a teenager, Torrio was involved in gangs. His first gang was a small crew of thieves called the James Street Gang. This is where he got enough money to open a pool hall. In the pool hall, many other enterprises rose up such as gambling and loansharking. It was there where Paul Kelly, The leader of the largest and most powerful gang in New York City, the Five Points Gang, saw Johnny Torrio. It was also there where Kelly observed how Torrio directed and managed the gang at the pool hall. Kelly was impressed and made Johnny his Vice President for the Five Points Gang. Eventually, by word of mouth, other mob leaders knew all about Johnny Torrio. At a young age, Johnny gained many partners such as Frankie Yale. They would frequently do favors for each other. They would exchange jobs, and get protection from police.

Johnny Torrio as a Teen

Life of Crime

Johnny Torrio had many connections in the gang society. Johnny was believed to have sent the young Al Capone to work for his close partner, Frankie Yale. This is where Torrio became close allies with Capone. He was also related to his cousin Victoria Moresco who was married to Big Jim Colosimo, a gangster who made his fortune through politics and prostitution. After Johnny helped Colosimo get rid of some blackhanders that were bothering him, Big Jim invited Torrio to stay and run some of his prostitution businesses. Johnny decided to redecorate many of the joints to make it seem classier. After this investment, Big Jim's prostitution businesses became very popular and gave competition to the other major clubs in Chicago.

Colosiimo with his dad and John Torrio

One of the"classy" prostitution clubs run by Johnny Torrio.

With the popularity of the clubs that Torrio ran, Colosimo made him the manager of his cabaret and restaurant called Colosimo's. Later he moved to a prostitute joint known as the Four Deuces and managed it. This is also where Torrio made his office at.

The Four Deuces

In 1919, Torrio asked for help in his gang affairs and Frankie Yale sent Johnny Torrio the young Al Capone who needed some adjustments in his character. Torrio and Capone worked very closely and many believed that they were involved in Jim Colosimo's murder. After the gangster's death, the two took over Colosimo's large empire and ran it without hesitation.

With his business booming, Torrio gained several enemies such as O'Banion who double-crosses Torrio in a brewery deal. After the betrayal, Johnny decided to put a hit on O'Banion. After the death of O'Banion, his gang members were very hostile towards Torrio and he felt threatened. In 1925, he was even attacked by Hymie Weiss and George "Bugs" Moran while riding in his car. Bugs and Hymie shot at Torrio and he was hit in the arm, the jaw, his lung and abdomen. Bugs Moran pressed his gun in Torrio's temple for the final shot but he was out of ammo. They fled and got away while Johnny was coughing up blood.

During prohibition, Torrio quickly expanded the business to include bootlegging. Johnny also placed Capone second in command.

Torrio hit scene

As Torrio recovered slowly, he refused to name his assailants to the police. Al Capone was always there for his long time friend. He had guards protect Johnny every day and he promised to get revenge on the rival North Side gang. This would eventually lead to the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. John Torrio eventually hands over the Outfit Gang to Al Capone. After spending a year in jail for prohibition violations, he chose to retire with his money. and savings.

Later Life

John Torrio lived a long life with his wife in New York City, but he would occasionally come in and out of retirement to oversee certain organized crimes. His opinion was respected by many gangsters and he was considered an "elder" and "architect" of organized crime. On April 16th of 1957, he died of a heart attack in a barber's chair. The press supposedly found out about his death three weeks after his burial.

Torrio's Grave.