Just a heads up, the epilogue to this episode contains discussion of sexual violence that may be disturbing to some.

Please take care while listening.

You're listening to American Shadows, a production of I Heart Radio and Grimm & Miles from Aaron Manky.

Edward Joseph O'Hare

Edward Joseph O'Hare, often called EJ, knew what he wanted in life.

In 1912, the 19-year-old married Selma Lout and they had three children,

daughters Patricia and Marilyn and son Edward Jr., whom they called Butch.

Selma's father allowed the family to live in the apartment above the family grocery store.

A realizing hard work alone wouldn't give him and his family the best in life, EJ studied to become a lawyer.

In 1923, he passed the bar and found work at a law firm.

A through the years, he worked tirelessly.

He eventually bought a new home, complete with a swimming pool and skating rink in the affluent neighborhood of Holly Hills.

But EJ's ambition was insatiable.

He wanted only the best for his son.

EJ enrolled him at the Western Military Academy.

Most of EJ's wealth had come from his client Owen Patrick Smith, the Commissioner of the International Greyhound Association.

Smith created a mechanical rabbit that Greyhounds chased on the track.

And when Smith died, EJ bought the rights from his widow.

A sensing and opportunity, EJ took his mechanical rabbit concept to Chicago's most influential resident, Al Capone.

It didn't take long for Capone to determine EJ's talent and hire him on as one of his lawyers.

With his influence, money and team of attorneys, it seemed as though Capone was untouchable.

The government had tried countless times to find something to stick on Capone,

...