Review of "The Chicago Underworld," (Original title: "Gem of the Prairie") by Herbert Asbury, 1940. New York: Ace Books, paper, 292 pages.
(This book is about the past corruption, violence, and mayhem in Chicago. I am glad to report that the city is one of the safest on earth, now, and everything is fine and peaceful. I found this book at my favorite thrift shop. This particular copy is terribly bent and worn, with pages falling out on the floor. It has been a challenge reading it. As I turn the pages they fall apart... it is turning to dust, as would a mummy...)
“Chicago at Night” would be another good title for this book. As all homeless people, and all Chicago residents, know, it is the darkness of the night that is the most haunting thing on earth, the most threatening when people are trying to survive, to sleep, to hide, and to just get to another day.
This book does cover all major crimes, criminals, and police activity up to the late 1930s and as such does not delve into World War II. It starts with the slab cabins "perched on the lake shore ooze" and ends with Capone sent to Alcatraz. The book is very entertaining, and it shows us how corrupt the mayors were, how busy the whorehouses were, and how dangerous the city was in the early days up to Capone's exit.
Chicago was a terribly dangerous and lawless place -- and there were scores of murders on a regular basis for years and years. Though the number of murders went down some of the years, the numbers were still high enough that the city was known worldwide for being a crazy-deadly place. From the very beginning, there were massacres, stalking, threats, robberies, rapes, gang activity, and vendettas. At the same time, there were any number of wild parties, animal sex shows, gambling, escorts, whores, and their pimps.
In short, Chicago was an exciting place to visit. It was also a very deadly place to visit, and many customers in the various rough establishments were beaten, drugged, and robbed on a daily basis. It was thrilling but frightening.
Cicero is also discussed, at length, and all of the Italian and Sicilian details of the players and the businesses are included. I had not realized the town had such a rich and violent history. Nowadays, things seem to be more peaceful there.
There are many, many versions and printings of this book. It is a classic and had a different name when first published. This copy includes a bibliography, an index, and footnote references (but at the end).
Chicago fans and residents will enjoy the names of the communities and the references to certain streets and areas. For example, when the intersection of Clark and Montrose was not yet part of the city, there was a huge and well-known whorehouse/tavern there. For many years, I lived one block from there on a little street called "Dover." But when I was there, the business on that corner was a Dunkin Donuts.
I encourage you to look it up and find out about Chicago origins, corruption, murders, lawlessness, political machines, and yes, even about Mrs. O'Leary's cow.