Francis Cavanaugh

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Francis Alberto Cavnaugh
Born November 9, 1906 (1906-11-09)
Chicago, Illinois
Died July 23, 1940 (aged 33)
Penalty Imprisonment from 1929 to 1940
Status deceased
Occupation Gangster, Hitman
Spouse Christine Callaghan
Children Lucas Cavanaugh

Francis "Fast Frank" Cavanaugh (November 9, 1906- July 23, 1940) in Chicago, IL. Irish Mafia hitman in the early prohibition days.

Contents

[edit] Early Years

Francis Alberto Cavanaugh was born to Joseph Killian Cavanaugh.[1] Frank grew up very poor and ended up having to take on a job at thirteen running messages and deliveries for mob boss George "Bugs" Moran.[2] Surprisingly, he finished high school at St.Thomas in Chicago and ended up in honour's classes. At the age of nineteen he was officially admitted into the North Side Gang by Moran.[3]

[edit] Early Orders

Frank was a hitman ordered by Moran at any moment. On January 5, 1925 he was ordered by Moran to kill Johnny Torrio. He almost got his chance but Torrio survived.[4] On January 25, 1925 Johnny Torrio was to be murdered outside of his home by Moran and Earl "Hymie" Weiss but with lack of ammunition, the hit failed.[5] However this near death sentence had forced Torrio to end his mafia career. By the time he turned 21 he had been in prison twice for illegal possession of alcohol.[6]

[edit] Life

The Cavanaugh Family Tree as of 2008.
The Cavanaugh Family Tree as of 2008.

Frank eventually married at 22 to Christine Callaghan.[7] The two eventually had a child, Lucas Cavanaugh. Christine had enough of Frank's business and threatened to take the child and run away, Frank eventually killed her as she tried to flee with their child. He planted the gun on one of his nemesis Angelo Genna.[8] Frank took the child and raised him on his own with lover Marie Frances.[9]

[edit] Battling the Gennas

Now that Torrio was gone, it was time to go after an old rival -- the Gennas.[10] Moran first went after Angelo in a dangerous car chase. After Angelo crashed into a building Moran, Weiss, and another member of the gang pulled up next to his car and blasted Angelo's corpse.[11]

Then, Samuzzo "Samoots" Amatuna, a Genna family backer, was gunned down by Vincent "The Schemer" Drucci.[12]

Finally, Tony Genna was shot to death.[13] It was said Capone ordered his death. Or did Frank on a hit from Moran? Police ended up finding the gun and prints to Cavanaugh and Francis was sentenced to jail for life.[14] Before Frank was put in prison he gave his child to Moran to raise into the business and surpass him.[15]

[edit] Jail & Death

Cavanaugh spent almost 10 years in prison still performing hits inside the bighouse for Moran and company.[16] Until July 23, 1940 when he was murdered in prison by Al Capone's hitman who had recently been in a war with Moran. Cavanaugh's throat was slit and had many stabs to the chest when found in his cell. His son was later given the news by police officials and Moran.[17]

[edit] References

[edit] Web

North Side Gang

[edit] Books

  1. ^ Cavanaugh, Francis A. A Day in my Life
  2. ^ Cavanaugh, Francis A. A Day in my Life
  3. ^ Cavanaugh, Francis A. A Day in my Life
  4. ^ Terrence, Jacob M. Life at Wat: The Cavanaugh Family
  5. ^ Terrence, Jacob M. Life at Wat: The Cavanaugh Family
  6. ^ Terrence, Jacob M. Life at Wat: The Cavanaugh Family
  7. ^ Cavanaugh, Francis A. A Day in my Life
  8. ^ Cavanaugh, Francis A. A Day in my Life
  9. ^ Cavanaugh, Francis A. A Day in my Life
  10. ^ North Side Gang
  11. ^ North Side Gang
  12. ^ North Side Gang
  13. ^ Zorbaugh, Harvey Warren. The Gold Coast and the Slum
  14. ^ Zorbaugh, Harvey Warren. The Gold Coast and the Slum
  15. ^ Zorbaugh, Harvey Warren. The Gold Coast and the Slum
  16. ^ Enright, Laura L. Chicago's Most Wanted
  17. ^ Enright, Laura L. Chicago's Most Wanted
  • Enright, Laura L. Chicago's Most Wanted: The Top Ten Book of Murderous Mobsters, Midway Monsters, and Windy City Oddities. Dulles, Virginia: Potomac Books Inc., 2005. ISBN 978-1-57488-785-3 (Enright, p. 114)
  • Zorbaugh, Harvey Warren. The Gold Coast and the Slum: Sociological Study of Chicago's Near North Side. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1929. ISBN 978-0-226-98945-7 (Zorbaugh, p. 178)
  • Terrence, Jacob M. Life at Wat: The Cavanaugh Family Chicago, Illinois: University Northern Illinois., 1987. ISBN 978-1-56793-739-4 (Terrence, p. 214)
  • Cavanaugh, Francis A. A Day in my Life Chicago, Illinois: Joliet Correctional Center., 1928. ISBN 978-0-657-92836-7 (Cavanaugh, p. 257)