Big Jim Colosimo
| Giacomo Colosimo | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
February 16, 1878 Colosimi, Calabria, Italy |
| Died | May 11, 1920 (aged 42) Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Cause of death | Multiple gunshot wounds |
| Resting place | Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago |
| Nationality | Italian, |
| Other names | "Big Jim", "Diamond Jim" |
| Occupation | Businessman, Crime boss, , Mobster, Racketeer |
| Known for | Boss of the Chicago Outfit |
James "Big Jim" Colosimo (born Vincenzo Colosimo) (February 16, 1878 – May 11, 1920), also known as "Diamond Jim," was an Italian-American Mafia crime boss who emigrated from Calabria, Italy in 1895, and built a criminal empire in Chicago based on prostitution, gambling, and racketeering. He gained power through petty crime and by heading a chain of brothels. From about 1902 until his murder in 1920, he led a gang that became known after his death as the Chicago Outfit. Johnny Torrio was an enforcer whom Colosimo imported in 1909 from New York and who seized control after his death. Al Capone, a Torrio henchman, allegedly was directly involved in the murder.
Colosimo was born Vincenzo Colosimo to Luigi Colosimo and his second wife Giuseppina Mascaro in the town of Colosimi, Province of Cosenza, Italy. He emigrated to Chicago at the age of 17, starting out as a petty criminal. Colosimo attracted the attention of First Ward aldermen Michael "Hinky Dink" Kenna and John Coughlin. They made him a precinct captain and later their bagman. This gave Colosimo the political connections that helped him in his rise to power as a mob boss.
Later, Colosimo acquired another nickname, "Diamond Jim," because he frequently dressed in a white suit and wore diamond pins, rings, and other jewelry. This, combined with his personal charm and money, helped him establish relationships with women. He had a love of both women and money, which fueled his enthusiasm for prostitution. In 1902, Colosimo married Victoria Moresco, an established Chicago madame, and together they opened a second brothel. Within a few years, Colosimo had expanded this to nearly 200 brothels and had also made inroads into gambling and racketeering.
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