In 1926 the gang war between Al Capone and the north side gang then headed by Hymie Weiss was raging. Scarface’s driver was found tortured and murdered quickly followed by an attempted hit on Weiss in broad daylight in the Loop. The retaliation for that failed attempt was probably the most spectacular attack of the whole era. Outdoing the St. Valentines Day Massacre for it’s brazenness if not for it’s body count.
On September 20th a group of anywhere from 6-10 cars launched a ferocious machine gun attack on The Hawthorne Hotel on 22nd and Cicero Ave. in Cicero.. Fist there was a feint attack by one car to draw out any Capone gunmen than the rest of the cars cars rolled past putting more than a thousand rounds into the hotel and restaurant where Scarface was eating. He was saved by Frank Rio his bodyguard. --------------
The September 20th event eventually led to the infamous St. Valentine's Day Massacre. However, the Hawthorne Hotel Restaurant was filled with people that day and the attack by Weiss's men showed no concern for hitting bystanders. Miraculously most of the crowd, including Capone escaped with only minor injuries. However, suppose that on this day several innocent bystanders in the restaurant are killed or seriously injured by the shootings. How does this affect the situation for Capone, Moran, et al in the future and what is the public's reaction?