Recently, reputed mobster Antonio "The Florist" Mucci, 56, was freed on $40,000 bail in Montreal. He is said to be a contender to succeed Vito Rizutto as head of the Montreal Mafia. Mucci, who served eight years in jail for attempted murder in the 1970s, formerly ran a florist shop in the city, hence his nickname. He had, however, a far more notable predecessor.
Flower-loving Charles Dion O'Banion was born about 1892 in Aurora, Illinois, son of an immigrant Irish plasterer and house painter. Raised in Chicago's infamous 'Little Sicily,' also known as 'Little Hell,' he found religion in his early years at the Holy Name Cathedral on North State Street. There he spent four years as a chorister and altar boy under the guidance of Father O'Brien, who hoped he would enter the priesthood.
Alas, the preteen turned to street gangs such as the Market Streeters, rapidly engaging in crimes at variously levels. Before his twentieth year he had served two short prison terms. This despite he had killed or ordered the killing of at least 25 men, according to the chief of police.
O'Banion was not only an organized crime leader; he looked and acted the part. He was a snappy dresser, even if those sharp clothes did conceal three pistols. And he could shoot accurately with either hand. Married with no children, he lived in a 12-room apartment, declined alcohol and was no womanizer.
So fond of flowers was O'Banion that he became a partner in William Schofield's flower shop at 738 North State Street, directly opposite Holy Name Cathedral. There he spent most days, a sprig of lily of the valley or a white carnation in his buttonhole, creating arrangements for weddings, funerals and other auspicious occasions. Frequently, these involved gangsters who came to appreciate O'Banion's floral services.
Outside the florist business, there was little skullduggery he and his gang were not involved in. And with the advent of Prohibition in 1920 bootlegging was a welcome additive. Like many, it was to be his undoing. Exasperated by the rotgut peddled by rival bootleggers, he burst out: "Tell them Sicilians to go to hell."
Just after noon on Monday, 10 November 1924, O'Banion was busy at 738 North State preparing funeral arrangements for a recently deceased gangster, dead from cancer. In the rear room, his assistant was sweeping up the debris from the previous night. He saw three men enter the store. His employer obviously knew one of them, as he extended his hand to be shaken and called out to close the door separating the store from the rear work area.
Shortly, six shots rang out. The assistant threw open the door and rushed out. The three men had disappeared. Dion lay dead, his blood splattering the blooms toppled as he fell.
Charles Dion O'Banion lies buried in Chicago's Mount Carmel Cemetery. The florist's shop he loved so much continued in business at the same location up until 1960, when it was torn down and replaced by a parking lot. The business moved south to 714 North State Street.
Wes Porter is a horticultural consultant and writer based in Toronto. Wes has over 40 years of experience in both temperate and tropical horticulture from three continents.
