GANGSTER’S FUNERAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 60, 11 March 1944, Page 5

GANGSTER’S FUNERAL

LAVISH DISPLAY FOR EXECUTED MAN Recd. 8 p.m. New York, March 9. Louis Buchalter’s lieutenant, Louis Capone, who was executed with him in Sing Sing prison on March 4, was buried in Brooklyn cemetery with a lavishness reminiscent of the days when ganghood flourished a decade ago. The silver-coated casket is reported to have cost 1500 dollars. Five thousand dollars worth of flowers were carried in five cars, and included a multi-coloured piece, 10 feet high, which startled the spectators because of its grisly resemblance to the electric chair. The undertaker said, it was a standard funeral design known as “The Vacant Chair.”

Another very large piece was called “Gates of Heaven.” There were 45 limousines in the cortege, which, though impressive, was considered modest comnared with Frankie Yales’ funeral in 1928, which comprised 160 limousines and cost between 25,000 and 30,000 dollars.

The gang leader Louis Buchalter was electrocuted after the Supreme Court had rejected his plea that he was imoronertly transferred from the Federal prison. He was leader of a notorious gang known as “Murder. Incorporated,” and was electrocuted for th? murder of Josenh Rosen in 1933. Two of his accomplices. Emanuel i”e : ss and Louis Capone, also were electrocuted.