Scarface and the Untouchable

by Max Allan Collins

Rebecca McFarland has worked diligently to preserve the memory of the real Eliot Ness, even down to seeing that the Untouchable—forty years after his death—received a proper funeral. She lent her full support here, sharing decades of research and making herself readily available. Max is particularly gratified that Rebecca—inspired to study the real Ness years ago by Max’s novel The Dark City—could help bring our mutual fascination with the subject to fruition.

  Scott Leeson Sroka, grandson of Untouchable Joe Leeson, made available his groundbreaking research into the lives of the other Untouchables, bringing these famed but blurry figures into focus. A tireless defender of Ness’s reputation, Scott opened doors, making much of our research into the real Untouchables possible, and we look forward to his own upcoming book on Ness’s men. Special thanks to Scott’s wife, Marla, and son, Eliot, for their hospitality during one of Brad’s many visits to D.C.

  Barbara Osteika, historian for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, granted access to personnel files on every Untouchable as well as other Ness-related documents. She put faces to the names of several agents with their official ID photos. Thank you to Barbara and everyone at ATF headquarters in Washington, D.C.—especially Ginger Colbrun, Hilary Martinson, and Corey Ray.

  Paul Heimel, Ness’s first biographer, gave selflessly of his insight and research, from articles and documents to interviews with those no longer with us. If we’ve seen farther, as the old saying goes, it’s because we had Paul’s shoulders to stand on.

  James B. Cloonan, son of Untouchable Barney Cloonan, supplied memories, photographs, and documents of his famous father, including his father’s daybook—a precious piece of history giving a unique and personal window onto the lives of the Untouchables.

  Marco Bruzzi, Monica Melotti, Emanuela Verlicchi Marazzi, and Francesca Balestrazzi of MB America furnished a tour of 93 Palm Island in Miami, which proved vital in picturing the house as it appeared in Capone’s day. We thank them both for the visit and for ensuring the preservation of this historic property.

  Vanya Scott arranged a visit to view the Ness collection at the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., making available amazing artifacts before their display in our nation’s capital. The staff of Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia made going to prison both fun and enlightening, and staff historian Annie Anderson shared key material regarding Capone’s time behind bars. Ken Alder of Northwestern University disclosed documents illuminating Ness’s relationships with the inventors of the lie detector. We’re grateful to John Carson of the University of Michigan for making introductions (as well as training Brad to be a historian).

  The resources of various branches of the National Archives and Records Administration were key to the writing of this book. We salute the archivists and staff in Chicago, College Park, San Bruno, and Washington, D.C., as well as at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch, Iowa. Special fedora tips to Adam Berenbak in D.C. for opening the files of the Kefauver Committee, Henry Mac in San Bruno for pulling Capone’s prison records, and Gene Morris in College Park for helping with the Notorious Offenders files.

  The Federal Bureau of Investigation gave access to a wealth of information by processing numerous Freedom of Information Act requests in a comprehensive and timely manner. The National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, quickly located personnel files for Eliot and Edna Ness and Alexander Jamie at long distance. The United States Secret Service delivered information on Giuseppe Zangara.

  Crucial research was conducted at numerous archives in and around Chicago, including the Chicago History Museum, the Newberry Library, the South Suburban Genealogical and Historical Society, the Harold Washington Library Center of the Chicago Public Library (Special Collections and Microfilm divisions), and the University of Chicago archives. Librarians, archivists, and staff at each institution made every visit a privilege and a pleasure.

  The Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, Ohio, remains the first port of call for Ness research, and they offered vital help on this project as they have for Max’s previous Ness-related works. The Cleveland Public Library and Cleveland State University Library yielded essential information. Special thanks to Brian Meggitt at the Cleveland Public Library for scanning loads of photos quickly and courteously, and Emily Vernon for opening the archives of the Cleveland Police Historical Society Museum.

  In Coudersport, Pennsylvania, John Rigas and Natalie Phelps shared their memories of Eliot Ness, making the Untouchable come alive. Natalie’s siblings, Linda and Joe Phelps, gave their own recollections of Ness in phone interviews. Doug Bretz of Coudersport presented his private collection of Nessiana. David Castano and Diane Caudell arranged a quick but valuable visit to the Potter County Historical Society. Special thanks to Matthew Pearl for making the trip to Coudersport happen, and sharing his own research.

  Additional research was conducted among the collections of the Lilly Library at Indiana University in Bloomington, the American Heritage Center of the University of Wyoming in Laramie, the Bancroft Library of the University of California–Berkeley, the Miami-Dade Public Library, the University of Michigan Library, the Michigan State University Library, the Wisconsin Historical Society Library at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, the Capital Area District Library, the Library of Michigan, and the Princeton University Library. We are indebted to the librarians and staff at each institution. At the main branch of the Pima County Library in Tucson, Arizona, Betsy and Victoria kindly tracked down a newspaper article about Eliot Ness.

  For insights helping illuminate the life of Al Capone, we are indebted to Eleanor Benson, Art Bilek, Deirdre Capone, Jan Greco, and Peg Hagenauer. Suzanne Andrukaitis, Ron Lazer and Kathy Fitzsimmons, and Sue and Tom Stewart generously offered lodging on research trips.

  Governor James J. Blanchard helped us understand Capone’s time in Lansing, Michigan.

  Ross Harris of the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency has been a tireless advocate for this project. Fedora tips to Ross, Stuart Krichevsky, Shana Cohen, Hannah Schwartz, and the entire SKLA team.

  Few editors are more enthusiastic and encouraging than Peter Hubbard at William Morrow; we’re grateful to him, Nick Amphlett, Maureen Cole, Kaitlin Harri, and everyone at HarperCollins for their support.

  Max Allan Collins wishes to thank his wife, writer Barbara Collins, for her editorial assistance throughout, as well as his friend and agent, Dominick Abel, who offered a key piece of advice late in the process.

  Finally, I will take the liberty of stepping out from behind third person to thank numerous friends and teachers who offered advice, encouragement, and ready sounding boards. At the University of Michigan, Jim Burnstein, Phil Hallman, and Matthew Solomon contributed to this project in ways large and small; Vincent Longo deserves special credit for submitting to more Nessiana than any friend should have to endure, including critiquing several draft chapters. At Princeton University, Jaime Sánchez Jr. offered insight as a keen student of Chicago and its politics. At Okemos High School, Matthew Morrison and Chris Smith let one of their students indulge his fascination with Eliot Ness—and, in the process, kindled a lifelong love of American history. Anna Zielinski always made the road to Chicago worth taking.

  Dennis and Nancy Austin Schwartz continue to be better parents than anyone could possibly deserve. This book is the culmination of countless acts, both large and small, that they performed over the years—among them introducing their son to Dick Tracy and The Untouchables, driving him around the South Side of Chicago late one night to view the scenes of Ness’s raids, making repeated attempts to visit the Cleveland Police Historical Society Museum, and letting him drag them to Des Moines to see his hero portrayed onstage.

  Most importantly, they made trip after trip to the Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore in Forest Park, Illinois, so their son could get to know his favorite author. They set this book in motion, and helped carry it over the finish line.

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