Hey All,

Here is an awesome article posted from Real Deal on Pittsburgh:

1. http://newsinteractive.post-gazette.com/prohibition/

2. http://partners.nytimes.com/books/first ... -game.html (This article is on Hillsville, PA which is "just across the Youngstown" border and known to be the first area where Black Hand members settled)

JCB1977,Thanks for an amazing find. I'm from the western PA area,and am familiar with a lot of the history,but the photos and extra info really made for a dynamite read.

I had mentioned in one of my earlier posts that a friend and former business partner had told me his Mother's maiden name was Monastero.He remembered his Grandmother vaguely referring to some tragedies in the family,but had no idea who Stefano Monastero was,or the place he held in local Mob history.
When I filled him in he nearly swallowed his teeth.

By the way,do you know if the Zappala mentioned in the article was a direct ancestor of our current DA Steven Zappala?

Again thank you for the post,and the consistently great info you provide on the Western PA,WV,and OH area Mob scene.

Yes, Steve Zappala actually had Chucky Porter's son as a law partner in his early law career and was related to John Bazzano Jr.

See article below towards the latter part of the article.

http://www.post-gazette.com/politics-sta...es/201102220166

Obit for John Bazzano Jr's brother Paul.

http://obituaries.triblive.com/listing/219757/Paul-A-Bazzano/

John Bazzano Sr's wife was a Zappala and her dad was Chief Justice and her brothers were high powered lawyers.

Good stuff again JCB.

Here are a few more recent articles done on Pittsburgh's prohibition era:

1. http://www.post-gazette.com/Op-Ed/2008/0...es/200802030274

2. http://www.post-gazette.com/life/2013/12/05/Hic-hic-hooray/stories/201312050249

Here are some other articles relating to the Zappala family and their connection to organized crime through the Bazzano family.

1. http://pghcomet.blogspot.com/2009/04/zappalas-influence-big-business.html

2. http://www.post-gazette.com/state/2010/0...es/201004080407

Thanks JCB

Pittsburgh
The city was incorporated in 1816. In 1837 a canal was completed between Pittsburgh and the eastern sea board. In 1854 Pittsburgh was connected to Philadelphia by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Pittsburgh’s first blast furnace was opened in 1859 and within a decade the city was the iron and steel center of the US.


Siciliano born Nicola “Nick” Gentile in USA
Nick Gentile was born in Siculiana and went in 1903 to New York and stayed at the home of Domenico Taormina, then he went to Kansas City where also his brother Vincenzo Gentile arrived. He is a friend of Vincenzo Lolordo.


Pittsburgh
4 December 1904 was Sicilian Peter Scalise (20) stabbed to death by camoristi. Dying Scalise told police he had angered the camorra in Boston, he had the fled to Chicago but was pursued and fled to his sister in Pittsburgh to be killed there


Baltimore fruit tycoon Joseph Di Giorgio
Local fruit dealer Joseph di Giorgio (his brother Rosario Di Giorgio and they came from Cefalu) founded in 1904 the Baltimore Fruit Exchange


Baltimore
Joseph Di Giorgio was president of the Atlantic Fruit company, the Di Giorgio Fruit Company, the Baltimore Fruit exchange, the Mediterranean fruit Importing Company of New York and vice president of the Connolly Auction Company of new York.


Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) were 9 August 1907 the Italians Giovanna Graziano and Giorgio Quagenti (Guagenti) hanged for the murder of wealthy Italian merchant Antonio Cappibianci in Pittsburgh. Police arrested Frank Glanco and Nick Ferrolio who were suspected of having arrived from NY to break the condemned men from prison


Pittsburgh black Hand leader Felipi Rea (Rei)
Salvatore Lupo disclosed that lanasa traveled to Pittsburgh in November 1907 to arrange with Black Hand leader Phillip Rei to send extortion letters to Joseph Di Giorgio


Pittsburgh black Hand leader Felipi Rea (Rei) killed
Felipi Rea (Rei) was shot and killed in Pittsburgh in December 1907 by Joseph Sunseri (possibly related to Hennessey murder accused Salvatore Sunseri) it was alleged the murder had been ordered by Baltimore fruit dealer Joseph di Giorgio


Baltimore
Local fruit dealer Joseph di Giorgio (his brother Rosario Di Giorgio and they came from Cefalu) had as concurrent Alfred Goffe and his partner the Jamaican Antonio Lanasa. 10 December 1907 was fruit dealer Joseph di Giorgio’s house damaged by a bomb. Police arrest as a suspect Salvatore Lupo in Buffalo who had worked for Lanasa and who became a witness. Also witness Joseph Tamburo. John Scarletta (Schiatta aka Scarietta) was arrested in Cleveland. Also arrested were Rosarto Romeo, Ignazio Castalano and Frank Porcelli. Also suspects Rea murderer Joseph Sunseri and Nunzio Battaglia (Battaglonia)


Baltimore
Petrosino assisted Baltimore City detectives in this case.


Baltimore
During Lanassa’s trial, he admitted that his friend Vito Laduca had christened his child and that Vito Laduca was Lanassa’s collaborator in a lemon importing concern. Thornton Rollins (vice president of DiGiorgio’s Atlantic Fruit) served as foreman of the grand jury. Lanasa was defended by senator William Pinkney Whyte (who had also been Maryland governor, Baltimore mayor, comptroller of Maryland and the state’s attorney general). Goffe was represented by George Dobbin Penniman (who was hired by the British consul Gilbert Frazier). Salvatore Lupo said the group was run from Brooklyn by Black Hand boss Carmelio La Rosa “The Cavalier” (real name Tony Calcagno a barber)


Brroklyn based Black Hand leader Tony Calcagno (important in Pittsburgh)
Carmelio La Rosa “The Cavalier” (real name Tony Calcagno a barber) a Black Hand leader in Pittsburgh was shot and killed early February 1908 in Brooklyn


Pittsburgh connected
Giuseppi Creami (Cerami?) of New York was killed in march 1908 because he had identified the body of Carmelio La Rosa “The Cavalier” a Black Hand leader in Pittsburgh


Siculiana born Nicola “Nick” Gentile (FBN book page 794)
In 1909 Gentile went back to Siculiana and married 20 June 1910 and 4 April 1911 was their daughter Maria Gentile born.


Baltimore fruit tycoon Joseph Di Giorgio
In 1911 he bought the Earl Fruit Co. (a California fruit shipper)


Pittsburgh Calabrese boss Ferdinand Mauro
Pittsburgh Calabrese boss Ferdinand Mauro and his lieutenant in Johnstown was Calabro


“Pittsburgh banana King” Salvatore Catanzaro (from Termini Imerese) killed
The Calabrese boss Ferdinand Mauro had extorted Salvatore Catanzaro “the banana King of Pittsburgh” (from Termini Imerese). During 1913 was Salvatore Catanzaro “the banana King of Pittsburgh” (from Termini Imerese) stabbed to death


Pittsburgh mobster Stefano Monastero
Pittsburgh mobster Stefano Monastero and his brothers Lorito Monastero and Sam Monastero were the sons of New Orleans Mafioso Pietro Monastero who was hanged from a lamp post for the murder of Hennesey


Pittsburgh mobster Stefano Monastero
Angelina Casale’s home had in june 1914 been partially wrecked by a bomb after she had received black hand letters demanding 500 dollar. Carmell Casale her husband had committed several years earlier suicide by jumping into the Allegheny river (black hand victim desperation??)


Pittsburgh mobster Stefano Monastero
Stefano Monastero his brother Lorito Monastero (president of the Italian Aeroplane Co. of Pittsburgh) shot and killed Stefano Monastero’s former mother in law Angelina Casale (52) of 954 Reesdale Street, Northside 30 August 1914 when she opposed his suit for the hand of Stefano Monastero’s divorced wife Rosie Casale. Stefano Monastero later remarried his former wife Rosie Casale


Pittsburgh capo mafia Gregorio Conti
Pittsburgh capo mafia Gregorio Conti (his nephew Giuseppe Cusumano) was the boss in 1915 and reigned till 1920 when he retires and he was followed up by Salvatore Calderone


Pittsburgh consigliere Nicola Gentile
Gentile arrived around 1915 in Pittsburgh. Gentile says that the Pittsburgh mafia paid a tribute to the Calabrese boss Ferdinand Mauro until Gentile and one of his man killed the killer of Salvatore Catanzaro “the banana King of Pittsburgh” (from Termini Imerese) in 1915 in front of a bar


Pittsburgh consigliere Nicola Gentile
When Sicilian LaMantia was victimized by Calabro of Johnstown then Gentile and his men killed some of Mauro’s men in 1915 after which Salvatore Caldarone made peace and Ferdinando Mauro joined the Pittsburgh family.


Pittsburgh Black hand leader John LaPaglia wounded
In 1917 were in Pittsburgh the Black Hand members John Cappa and John LaPaglia (28) shot by Charles Russogutto and Joseph Russogutto, Jack Guastaferra and his father Angelo Guastaferra. Cappa was killed and LaPaglia wounded


Los Angeles (California) murder case Joseph LaPaglia
March 17, 1918 was Joseph LaPaglia shot to death on the corner of 52nd St. and Central Ave. Suspect Matranga gang.


Pittsburgh capo mafia Gregorio Conti killed
Gregorio Conti watered down some liquor of Ferdinando Mauro and Conti was shot and killed 24 September 1919 in his car. Spoken free were Orazio Lenone, J C Catalano and Joseph catalano who admitted they were in the car with Conti when he was killed


Pittsburgh capo mafia Salvatore Calderone
In 1920 Salvatore Calderone became Pittsburgh capo mafia what he is till 1925 when he retires and he was followed up by Stefano Monastero




NY BASED SALVATORE D’AQUILA REIGN




Cleveland capo mafia Joseph Lonardo orders attack at Nicola Gentile
Nicola Gentile survived in 1920 a murder attempt by the Lonardo brothers


Sicily visit by Nicola Gentile
Nicola Gentile was on vacation on Sicily when Francesco De Paglia (LaPaglia??) was shot and killed and he had named Gentile as his killer.


Sicily visit by Nicola Gentile. Giuseppe morello and Valenti
Gentile was secretly met by the clutching hand Morello and Valenti who told him they were afraid that Salvatore D’Aquila would have them killed.


Gentile goes back to USA
Gentile went to Chicago’s boss Mike Merlo, Pittsburgh’s boss Salvatore Calderone and Cleveland boss Joe Lonardo (who supports D’Aquila).




BALTIMORE




Baltimore fruit tycoon Joseph Di Giorgio
In 1920 established he the DiGiorgio Fruit Co.


Baltimore fruit tycoon Joseph Di Giorgio
When Prohibition ended in 1933 Joseph DiGiorgio formed Del Vista Wine Co


Baltimore fruit tycoon Joseph Di Giorgio ides
Joseph Di Giorgio died in 1951 and the company was then run by his nephew Robert DiGiorgio


Baltimore fruit tycoon Joseph Di Giorgio (dead)
In 1966 his company signed a contract with Cesar Chavez United Farm Workers Organizing Committee.




PITTSBURGH




Pittsburgh Black hand leader John LaPaglia killed
19 October 1924 was in Pittsburgh John LaPaglia (35 and he would marry Jemma DeMino and she changed her name to Viola Morin) killed in his bed with a hatchet at 18 Tunnel Street and he himself was a suspect in 10 murders. Lapaglia’s friends suspected Louis “The Pig” Lamandola and Pete Curatola

Jemma DeMino aka Viola Morin then married Arthur Ambrose but they separated within a month and Ambrose was soon arrested


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero
In 1925 was Salvatore Calderone followed up as capo mafia by Stefano Monastero


Pittsburgh suburb Wilmerding family Volpe (Neapolitans)
The eight brothers John Volpe (killed), Arthur Volpe (killed), James (Jimmy) Volpe (killed), Louis Volpe and Joseph Volpe were racketeers in the Turtle Creek Valley and virtually owned police and politicians in Wilmerding. James Volpe served on Wilmerding Council. Guy Volpe


Wilmerding based Volpe brothers
Wilmerding’s police chief Joseph Corteal was a brother in law of the Volpe brothers. (his sister Amelia Corteal Volpe had married John Volpe and their daughter was Clara Volpe Bacco who married Arthur Bacco??)


Joseph Biondo
Joseph Biondo married in 1925 Louise Volpe. Nicola Gentile claimed he educated Biondo as a mafioso in the 1920's (Gentile, p.63).


Wilmerding based Volpe brothers
John Volpe and Guy Volpe and their cousin Joseph Mandella were suspected in the December 1926 murder of Harry Davenport police chief of the Westinghouse Air Brake Company ??


Pittsburgh capo mafia Luigi Lamendola
Pittsburgh capo mafia Luigi Lamendola imported seven Chicago gunmen under whom Jack Palmere. Other Lamendola men were Giuseppe Spinelli (real name Phillip Spallino) aka "Little Joe" aka “Big Mike”and Antonio "Toto" Amarosa aka “Toto” Argenti


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero
Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero was suspected in the 20 May 1927 murder of Luigi “Big Gorilla” Lamendola who was shot and killed in front of his Chatham Street Restaurant and wounded was his friend Pete Curatola (he was later killed).


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero
in 1928 rebel Giuseppe “Joe the Ghost” Pangallo was wounded when his car was blown up (suspect Mike Russo from NY at orders of Monastero)


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero
Johnnie Daniels was shot and killed in 1928 because he was a friend of rebel Joe “The Ghost” Pangallo


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero
Dominic Caputo was killed in 1928 because he was a friend of rebel Joe “The Ghost” Pangallo. Dominic Caputo had left a letter which accused Mike Russo of the murders of Dantti, Michiele, Domenico Grillo and Dominic Caputo himself


Pittsburgh bootlegger Morris Curran
first move was an attempt to scare Penn Avenue racketeer Morris Curran out of the racket. On Aug. 1, 1929, a bomb was placed under his building, 1233-35 Penn Avenue, and did heavy damage. Two persons were seriously injured.


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero killed
Stefano Monastero was 6 August 1929 shot and killed by Joe “The Ghost” Pangallo (McKees Rocks racket baron who a few weeks earlier had went to homicide detective chief David Corbett, deceased, and asked him permission to bring in murderers to kill Monastero and Corbett sends him away). Stefano Monastero was visiting his wounded gunman Charles Spallino at St John’s Hospital Northside and his brother Sam Monastero just escaped. Stefano Monastero was followed up by Siragusa, who made a fortune supplying beer makers with yeast, his rackets were controlled by Salvatore Maranzano of New York. Joe Bonanno of New York fame became Maranzano's apprentice, supervising his whiskey stills in Pennsylvania. Like many bosses in smaller cities, Siragusa made tribute payments to Maranzano.
Pittsburgh capo mafia Joseph Siragusa


Pittsburgh
McKees Rocks racket baron Joe “The Ghost” Pangallo died in February or early March 1930 of pneumonia


Pittsburgh
Stefano Monastero his brother Sam Monastero was found strangled to death 18 March 1930 and was Pittsburgh’s 77th gangster victim


Violet Ewart (27)
In June 1931 Penn township speakeasy owner Frank Gazzo shot and killed Albert Kesley (of Canton) in a quarrel about the woman Violet Ewart (27)


Pittsburgh bootlegger Morris Curran killed
Penn Avenue racketeer (Pittsburgh) Morris Curran was killed 24 June 1931 and accused was Chicago Milwaukee mobster Angelo La mantia (36)


Pittsburgh capo mafia Joseph Siragusa killed
13 September 1931 Joseph Siragusa (49), a bootlegger known as the "Yeast Baron" of Allegheny County, walks into the main room of his house basement and finds himself facing three men with guns. Five bullets rip into his chest and face.


Pittsburgh boss J Bazzano
John Bazzano sr (son John Bazzano Jr.) became the new boss. John Bazzano Sr. worked as a theater manager, then built an empire by controlling sugar and yeast for beer makers.


Pittsburgh
Jack Palmere (35) was owner of the Locust Auto Repair Company in Locust street where he stored beer and whisky and was killed 7 October 1931 when he was talking with Joe Colleli.


Toto Amaraso fled to Turtle Creek where he and Palmere operated a still on the third floor of a building at 644 Church Avenue. He warned Leonard Ciscerone, 21, and Leonard's brother, Alphonse, 17, to admit no one, and tried to sleep.


Just 18 hours later was the body of his partner Antonio "Toto" Argenti (Saverio Amaraso) found in a burning car. Police suspect their partner Giuseppe "Little Joe" Spinelli (of 134 Middle Street, Wilmerding


Policeman Ferris said he had found that Palmere and Toto were themselves murderers. He said they had killed James Courtney, an alcohol cooker at one of their stills, to silence him when he refused two years ago to kill a rival racket man at their command.


Violet Ewart (27)
16 December 1931 would Joseph Virgo (34) marry Josephine Merola (24) but the day before his face was disfigured when somebody threw acid in his face and police suspect his former girlfriend Violet Ewart (27)


Pittsburgh capo mafia Gianni “John” Bazzano Sr. orders murder of Wilmerding based Volpe brothers
Pittsburg boss Gianni “John” Bazzano had agreed to take on the Volpes as his partners, and they used the Roma Coffee Shop on Wylie Avenue, which Bazzano owned, as their headquarters. But when the brothers expanded their territory into East Liberty and the North Side, Bazzano ordered them rubbed out. 29 July 1932 gunmen led by Giuseppe “big Mike” Spinelli pulled up to the coffee shop and opened fire. John Volpe was shot four times on the sidewalk. Inside the shop, a spray of bullets struck Arthur Volpe as he ate a bowl of corn flakes. James (Jimmy) Volpe died trying to hide behind the counter.


In Pittsburgh the 3 Volpe brothers were killed by 3 associates of Nicola Gentile at the orders of Pittsburgh capo mafia John Bazzano Sr (his brother in law is Frank Zappala).


Pittsburgh
the October 1933 ice pick murder of John Aliberti (his girlfriend was Viola Morin and his chauffeur was Ralph Girdano (Giordano) a man of the Volpe brothers


Giuseppe “Big Mike” Spinelli
Giuseppe “big Mike” Spinelli got 17 December 1935 thirty years in Italy for the murder of the 3 Volpe brothers in Pittsburgh.


After the Volpe hit, two of the surviving brothers, Louis Volpe and Joseph Volpe, complained to the Commission in New York. The Volpe brothers came from Naples just like Vito Genovese who believed Bazzano received permission from his close friends Vincenzo Mangano, Albert Anastasia, Joseph Biondo and Nicola Gentile (consiglieri of Cleveland capo mafia Ciccio Milano) to murder the Volpe brothers. Genovese contacted Anastasia who promised Genovese satisfaction. Bazzano came to NY to justify his actions with Anastasia, Mangano and Biondo and asked in anger why he couldn’t eliminate the Neapolitans (the Volpe brothers) and Bazzano was killed on the spot


John Bazzano was accompanied to his death by his bodyguard Giuseppe “Big Mike” Spinello of Wilmerding (Pittsburgh suburb) and probably Joseph tito


Brooklyn murder case Pittsburgh capo mafia John Bazzano sr
On Aug. 8, 1932, his body turned up in the middle of a street in Brooklyn, N.Y., wrapped in a burlap sack. He had been stabbed 22 times in the chest with ice picks and strangled with a rope. His tongue had also been cut out and his lips sealed with tape. Bazzano was replaced by Vincenzo Capizzi, Sotto capo Frank Amato (Neapolitan friend of Genovese), Consiglieri Nicola Gentile
Pittsburgh capo mafia Vincenzo Capizzi


Albert Anastasia
Police arrested 17 August 1932 fourteen men at a restaurant party including Albert Anastasia (discharged), Paul Palmeri, Joseph Trainia, John Oddo, Ciro Gallo, Peter Lombardi and Tony Bonasera. The charge: loitering. Soon 5 were released and those were: Michael Russo from Pittsburgh, Carlo Sparlino from Pittsburgh, Santo Volpe from Pittsburgh, Frank Adrano from Pittsburgh and Michael Bua from Pittsburgh. Police free the 14 and then re-arrest 9. Police said they never could gather evidence to prosecute anyone for the killing.


Giuseppe “Big Mike” Spinelli
Police also wanted to question Giuseppe “Big Mike” Spinelli about the John Bazzano murder.


Pittsburgh
Capo mafia Vincenzo Capizzi, Sotto capo Frank Amato (Neapolitan friend of Genovese), Consiglieri Nicola Gentile


Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh soldier Jack Gadazzo (townsman of the boss Capizzi but Gadazzo was supported by Gentile and Charles Cavallaro) was robbed by Amato’s associate Sam DiBella and a split in the borgata occurred. Capizzi and Amato sought advice of Vito Genovese who told them to kill Gadazzo and his supporters Gentile and Cavallaro. Soon was Jack Gadazzo killed in 1934, a year later they also kill a friend of Gadazzo. Anastasia protected Gentile and Cavallaro by taking them into the Mangano borgata.


Mangano soldier Nicola Gentile (Siculiana born)
Nicola Gentile became in 1935 part of the Family led by Vincent Mangano and Joe Biondo. Mangano and Biondo had Gentile link up with drug dealer Charles La Gaipa aka Big Nose Charley (from Porto Empedocle and later killed) who became Gentile’s son in law.


Gentile was a member of Giuseppe Parlapiano's Manhattan crew. gentile stated that the gambino family had just 2 crews in Manhattan


most of their members were from Agrigento area. (?? Sciacca mainly??)
Vincenzo Locicero, Capo, died 1923.
Accursio De Mino, Capo, killed 1922.
Nicola Gentile, Senior Capo, Manhattan.
Joseph Parlapiano, Capo. (Sciacca)
Gaetano Trupia, Capo. (born in Agrigento)

soldiers
Agostino Amato
Domenico Arcuri.
Giuseppe LiCalsi.
Eduardo Aronica.
Salvatore Curto.
Pietro Stincoe.
Alfonso Attardi.
Calogero DeLeo.
Calogero LaGaipa.
Luigi Marciano, Suicide 1933. (born in Sciacca)
Onofrio Modica. (born in Sciacca, Agrigento)
Andrea Torregrossa.
John Sciacia.


Pittsburgh capo mafia Vincenzo Capizzi resigns
In 1937 resigned Vincenzo Capizzi as boss and was followed up by his underboss Frank Amato Sr.
Pittsburgh capo mafia Frank Amato Sr


Pittsburgh
17 January 1946 was in Pittsburgh “Big” Gus Gianni shot and killed and suspect is Joe Rosa with whom he quarreled


Pittsburgh
In February 1946 was Newport hoodlum Danny Myers killed. Myers had himself killed a man


Pittsburgh
17 May 1948 were Freddie Garrow and Frank Evans (suspect in a holdup murder) shot and killed found in a car. The suspected shooter is Tony Delsanter and other suspects are Frank Valenti and Tony Ripepi


Pittsburgh
Giuseppe Polimeni aka Tony Ripepi was also sought in Italy for murder


Baltimore
Baltimore police wanted Antonio Ripepi for the shooting and wounding of Angelo Tromberi. Angelo Tromberi himself had shot club operator Frank Corbi.


Pittsburgh
22 March 1948 was race track bookmaker Harry Weidetz killed


Pittsburgh boss Frank Amato Sr resigns
Frank Amato Sr. expanded the family's influence beyond Allegheny County, concentrating mostly on gambling, but in 1956 developed a kidney ailment and resigned to become underboss. John Sebastian LaRocca took over. underboss became Gabriel "Kelly" Mannarino and Michael Genoves became a capo. LaRocca was backed by the Genovese family of NY and was strong in Youngstown.
Pittsburgh boss John Sebastian LaRocca

anybody knows the in 1933 deceased Salvatore Calderone is the old boss calderone??



Pittsburgh capo mafia Luigi Lamendola
Pittsburgh capo mafia Luigi Lamendola imported seven Chicago gunmen under whom Jack Palmere. Other Lamendola men were Giuseppe Spinelli (real name Phillip Spallino) aka "Little Joe" aka “Big Mike” and Antonio "Toto" Amarosa aka “Toto” Argenti


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero
Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero was suspected in the 20 May 1927 murder of Luigi “Big Gorilla” Lamendola who was shot and killed in front of his Chatham Street Restaurant and wounded was his friend Pete Curatola (he was later killed).


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero VS Pangallo
in September 1927was Giuseppe “Joe the Ghost” Pangallo wounded when his car was blown up (suspect Mike Russo from NY at orders of Monastero).


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero VS Pangallo
While Giuseppe “Joe the Ghost” Pangallo was in hospital his cousin Joseph Gorilla (of Cleveland) came to visit Pangallo but was near the hospital shot and wounded


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero VS Pangallo
10 January 1928 was Joseph Luciasano (32 of 80 Norton Street, Mount Washington) shot and killed in the shoe repair shop of the Pangallo brothers at 643 Braodway Avenue, Stowe township. It is the wrong one because the killers had wanted to murder Giuseppe “Joe the Ghost” Pangallo


10 January 1928 was also bootlegger John Daniels (24) shot and killed in a car


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero VS Pangallo
21 May 1928 was Giuseppe “Joe the Ghost” Pangallo shot and wounded in his car. It was the third attempt on his life and police arrested as suspects Larry Chiocca (Chicora) (27), Kate Drago, Domenica Finetta (40), Nick Uipon (34) and Frank Sero (37)


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero VS Pangallo
Johnnie Daniels was shot and killed in 1928 because he was a friend of rebel Joe “The Ghost” Pangallo


Pittsburgh capo mafia Stefano Monastero VS Pangallo
Dominic Caputo was killed in 1928 because he was a friend of rebel Joe “The Ghost” Pangallo. Dominic Caputo had left a letter which accused Mike Russo of the murders of Dantti, Michiele, Domenico Grillo and Dominic Caputo himself


Pittsburgh bootlegger Morris Curran
1 August 1929 a bomb was placed under Penn Avenue racketeer Morris Curran his building at 1233-35 Penn Avenue, and did heavy damage. Two persons were seriously injured.


Pittsburgh North Side capo mafia Stefano Monastero (40 or 46) killed
Stefano Monastero was 6 August 1929 shot and killed by Joe “The Ghost” Pangallo (46) (McKees Rocks racket baron who a few weeks earlier had went to homicide detective chief David Corbett, deceased, and asked him permission to bring in murderers to kill Monastero and Corbett sends him away). Stefano Monastero was visiting his man Charles Spallino who had been operated at St John’s Hospital Northside and his brother Sam Monastero just escaped with their bodyguards Angelo Stella (23 from Youngstown), Louis Leone and Greilla Ciarino (Clarino) (40). Stefano Monastero was followed up by Siragusa, who made a fortune supplying beer makers with yeast, his rackets were controlled by Salvatore Maranzano of New York. Joe Bonanno of New York fame became Maranzano's apprentice, supervising his whiskey stills in Pennsylvania. Like many bosses in smaller cities, Siragusa made tribute payments to Maranzano.
Pittsburgh capo mafia Joseph Siragusa


Sam Monastero goddaughter Josephine Campisi (21) was also questioned


Carlo “Charles” Sparlino, Michael Bua (arrested in 1918 for murder and his brother in law was Anthony Chiavetta), Michael Russo and Frank Adrana were spoken free of the murder of Stefano Monastero


Pittsburgh based Chiavetta family from Trabia (Palermo)
Brothers Anthony Chiavetta (a shoemaker who arrived in 1914 in Carnegie, Pittsburgh and married Mary Elizabeth Bisesi) and Leonard Chiavetta. Michael Chiavetta and wife Antonina Bua (sister of Michael Bua??) had as son Giovanni Chiavetta


Giordano (Jordan) family
The Jordan's ( name changed from Giordano) has a very prosperous banana and fruit wholesale business the tri-states area of w.Pa, W.Va., and Ohio. They still have a wholesale business in Dravosburg ,Pa.


Pittsburgh
McKees Rocks racket baron Joe “The Ghost” Pangallo died in February or early March 1930 of pneumonia


Pittsburgh
Stefano Monastero his brother Sam Monastero was found strangled to death 18 March 1930 and was Pittsburgh’s 77th gangster victim


Violet Ewart (27)
In June 1931 Penn township speakeasy owner Frank Gazzo shot and killed Albert Kesley (of Canton) in a quarrel about the woman Violet Ewart (27)


Pittsburgh bootlegger Morris Curran killed
Penn Avenue racketeer (Pittsburgh) Morris Curran was killed 24 June 1931 and accused was Chicago Milwaukee mobster Angelo La mantia (36)


Angelo La Mantia
23 may 1931 was frank Aiello (35) shot and killed in his house. Angelo La Mantia was charged with the murder.

Angelo La Mantia
15 october 1931 was Angelo La Mantia indicted with 3 others for the slaying of two gangsters in Pittsburgh. Philip Spaldino (from Pittsburgh) was indicted for the murder of Antonio Argento who was strangled and burned near Turtle Creek. Cimo Romano aka Anthony La mantia and Angelo La Mantia aka Joseph Rizzo were indicted in the murder of Morris Curran who was shot to death 24 june 1931.

Angelo La Mantia aka Joseph Rizzo
Angelo La Mantia aka Joseph Rizzo was arrested in October 1939 in Philadelphia for a robbery in Camden (NJ).


Pittsburgh capo mafia Joseph Siragusa killed
13 September 1931 Joseph Siragusa (49), a bootlegger known as the "Yeast Baron" of Allegheny County, walks into the main room of his house basement and finds himself facing three men with guns. Five bullets rip into his chest and face.


Pittsburgh boss J Bazzano
John Bazzano sr (son John Bazzano Jr.) became the new boss. John Bazzano Sr. worked as a theater manager, then built an empire by controlling sugar and yeast for beer makers.


Pittsburgh
Jack Palmere (35) was owner of the Locust Auto Repair Company in Locust street where he stored beer and whisky and was killed 7 October 1931 when he was talking with Joe Colleli.


Toto Amaraso fled to Turtle Creek where he and Palmere operated a still on the third floor of a building at 644 Church Avenue. He warned Leonard Ciscerone, 21, and Leonard's brother, Alphonse, 17, to admit no one, and tried to sleep.


Just 18 hours later was the body of his partner Antonio "Toto" Argenti (Argeno) (Saverio Amaraso) found in a burning car. Police suspect their partner (Philip Spallino 28) Giuseppe "Little Joe" Spinelli (of 134 Middle Street, Wilmerding


Policeman Ferris said he had found that Palmere and Toto were themselves murderers. He said they had killed James Courtney, an alcohol cooker at one of their stills, to silence him when he refused two years ago to kill a rival racket man at their command.


Violet Ewart (27)
16 December 1931 would Joseph Virgo (34) marry Josephine Merola (24) but the day before his face was disfigured when somebody threw acid in his face and police suspect his former girlfriend Violet Ewart (27)


Pittsburgh capo mafia Gianni “John” Bazzano Sr. orders murder of Wilmerding based Volpe brothers
Pittsburg boss Gianni “John” Bazzano had agreed to take on the Volpes as his partners, and they used the Roma Coffee Shop on Wylie Avenue, which Bazzano owned, as their headquarters. But when the brothers expanded their territory into East Liberty and the North Side, Bazzano ordered them rubbed out. 29 July 1932 gunmen led by Giuseppe “big Mike” Spinelli pulled up to the coffee shop and opened fire. John Volpe was shot four times on the sidewalk. Inside the shop, a spray of bullets struck Arthur Volpe as he ate a bowl of corn flakes. James (Jimmy) Volpe died trying to hide behind the counter.


In Pittsburgh the 3 Volpe brothers were killed by 3 associates of Nicola Gentile at the orders of Pittsburgh capo mafia John Bazzano Sr (his brother in law is Frank Zappala).


Salvatore Calderone?????
Giuseppe Landolina (born 16 May 1894 in Trabia and died 24 March 1988 in Pittsburgh) who married Maria Anna Calderone in Pittsburgh in 1932. He was the son of Nicosio Landolina (brother of Cosimo). She was the daughter of Salvatore Calderone, born 1858 in Termini Imerese and died in near Pittsburgh in 1933.


Pittsburgh
the October 1933 ice pick murder of John Aliberti (his girlfriend was Viola Morin and his chauffeur was Ralph Girdano (Giordano) a man of the Volpe brothers


Timeline courtesy of "Puparo"

Mrs. Rose Bazzano's father was not the Chief Justice. It was her nephew, Stephen, her brother Frank's son. Frank was the father of the powerful attorneys, Stephen, Richard, Charles and Frank.

fantastic find and posts. Was there a mafia in Baltimore? for some reason that had never occurred to me that it was possible till i saw it mentioned in this thread.

Does anyone have any more information on "the banana king" Salvatore Catanzaro, who was stabbed to death in 1913? I have been trying to track down this story for quite some time, with no success. I did find a story from 1892 where Salvatore Catanzaro was stabbed, but later recovered. At the time of his death in 1916, he was quite a successful produce merchant and businessman in Pittsburgh. This Salvatore Catanzaro has an impressive monument in Calvary Cemetery.

The only source for the Catanzaro death in 1913 was Nicola Gentile. It was without a doubt the same person who died in 1916. Gentile confused events, which was not hard to do considering he was recalling things from 35+ years earlier.

Thanks for the clarification Maggie. Much appreciated.

More can be found on Catanzaro in these links:

https://www.google.com/search?q=%22salvatore+catanzaro%22+pittsburgh&num=100&safe=off&source=lnms&tbm=bks&sa=X&ei=f7fFUvS6FsH6oATJ9oFw&ved=0CA8Q_AUoAg&biw=1280&bih=890


This has a great article on the murder of John Bazzano in 1932 and covers many other early Pittsburgh figures. I highly recommend it:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/47748475/Informer-January-2011

Thanks for the links. I am quite familiar with the piece on John Bazzano. One thing that has always bothered me about his story. Why would he arrange for the killing of the Volpes in a business where his brother worked? From the reports of the day, it sounds like Santo barely escaped the massacre.

Over the years, a number of lists have been posted with the names of members of the Pgh Family. Most of the names I can identify, but some I can't. Can anyone help me identify these people?

4. Giuseppe Agostino (1899-1966) Soldier
20. Anthony D'Allesandro (1920-1978) Soldier
32. Francesco Genovese (1877-1965) Capo
33. Gabrial Genovese (1919-1983) Capo
36. Joseph Gigliotti (1903-2001) Soldier
44. Salvatore Mannarino (1920-1993) Soldier
45. Anthony Martrano (1950-2007) Soldier
46. Joseph Maruca (1925-1981) Soldier
50. Louis Miano (1890-1959) Soldier
52. Cesario Norece (1885-1961) Capo
55. Giuseppe "Joe Peachey" Picci (1911-1943) Soldier

Mike Genovese's brothers were Felix & Fiore, his parents were honest, hard working immigrants. I have NEVER heard of any of these fellas, but again, my research starts around 1937

JCB are there any video documentarys etc about pittsburgh mafia, can't seem to find any out there