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Capone's Big Jim: Colosimo As A Bouncer

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At about 20 years of age, Capone left New York for Chicago at the invitation of Johnny Torrio, who was imported by crime boss James "Big Jim" Colosimo as an enforcer. Capone began in Chicago as a bouncer in a brothel, where he contracted syphilis. Timely use of Salvarsan probably could have cured the infection, but he apparently never sought treatment.[15] In 1923, he purchased a small house at 7244 South Prairie Avenue in the Park Manor neighborhood on the city's south side for US$5,500.[16] In the early years of the decade, Capone's name began appearing in newspaper sports pages, where he was described as a boxing promoter.[17]

Chicago's location on Lake Michigan gave access to a vast inland territory, and it was well-served by railroads.

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