Dean (Dion) O'Banion
O'Banion, known as a homebody and family man, had a successful business supplying flowers and garlands for mobsters funerals... it has been heard that if one was short a body for a funeral, he could supply that as well.
Of course, from the back room of his flower shop, O'Banion planned liqour hijackings which gave roots to a very profitable bootlegging industry, providing hooch to Chicago's Gold Coast and North Side slums.
Having invested in a large brewery, O'Banion was tipped that the police were planning to raid the establishment. Acting quickly, O'Banion sold his interests in the brewery to a Johnny Torrio, a rival South Side gangster, who was then arrested during the raid.
Torrio was yet to have his revenge. On November 10, 1924, three men arrived at O'Banion's flower shop to discuss the arrangements for a funeral. Upon entering, O'Banion held out his hand to greet the lead man, who reciprocated with a tight death grip. The two other men brutally shot O'Banion in the face and chest.
O'Banion was given one of the most lavish funerals in Chicago history. He had a $10,000 bronze casket, complete with golden candlesticks and silver angels at either end. His funeral attracted over 20,000 spectators, including rivals Al Capone and none other than Johnny Torrio.
O'Banion's most devoted henchman, George "Bugs" Moran, looking Capone and Torrio in the eye, swore then and there to avenge O'Banion's death. This vow sparked a 5 year gangland war eventually ending with the ruthless and bloody St. Valentine's Day Massacre.
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