Frankie Yale

Frankie Yale

American gangster
Date of Birth: 22.01.1893
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Biography of Frankie Yale
  2. A Rising Gangster
  3. The Harvard Inn and Al Capone
  4. The Rise of the Mafia
  5. The White Hand Gang and Assassination Attempts
  6. The Tragic End

Biography of Frankie Yale

Frankie Yale, whose real name was Francesco Ioele, was born in 1893 in Longobucco, Calabria, Italy. His family moved to America in 1901, and it was there that Frankie grew up. From an early age, he showed a penchant for street life and had no interest in education. He soon befriended John Torrio, who would later become his mentor and introduce him to the Five Points Gang.

A Rising Gangster

Frankie Yale quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of organized crime. He openly engaged in extortion and became a monopolist in his own right. By the age of 17, he had earned a reputation for his brutality and was suspected of murder. As a member of the New Generation of American Gangsters, Yale believed in the power of force and soon became one of the authorities in the underworld.

The Harvard Inn and Al Capone

In 1917, Yale opened a bar called the "Harvard Inn" on Coney Island. It was at this bar that an unknown waiter named Al Capone received the famous scar on his face, inflicted by Frank Galluccio, for insulting Yale's younger sister. Yale would later be known as one of Capone's mentors, and Capone would join Torrio's gang in Chicago.

The Rise of the Mafia

Yale's gang became the first Italian-only mafia clan, offering protection to small businessmen in exchange for payment. Those who refused to pay would face dire consequences. Yale also ran a funeral parlor and was involved in cigar production. He was known for his flamboyant style, expensive suits, and love for jewelry, especially diamonds. Despite his criminal activities, Yale was also known for his acts of kindness, often helping less fortunate neighbors and compensating stolen goods for merchants.

The White Hand Gang and Assassination Attempts

Yale's gang faced a deadly war with the Irish White Hand Gang. He survived multiple assassination attempts, including one in 1921 where he was severely wounded but managed to recover. However, in the mid-1920s, Yale's power began to decline due to conflicts with Al Capone over whiskey distribution territories.

The Tragic End

On July 1, 1928, while at the Sunrise Club, Yale received a call informing him of something amiss with his new wife, Lucy, and their one-year-old daughter at home. Rushing to his car, he found himself pursued by a Buick with four individuals. In an attempt to escape, Yale lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a building, resulting in his death. The investigation into his murder yielded no results.

Frankie Yale's funeral became a symbol of extravagance for American gangsters, with two women claiming to be his widow at his graveside.

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