1920's- Who Was Chicago's Nick Licata?

[cavita]

In the Fall of 1927 34-year-old Nick Licata, alleged Chicago gangster, found himself splitting time between the Windy City and Rockford. He was described alternately as a confidence man and car thief who found himself in a serious pickle early Saturday morning May 26, 1928. Licata was dumped on the threshold of Rockford hospital by an unknown individual as medical personal raced outside to attend him, they saw the car that brought him speed away. Licata was shot once in the chest it was discovered.

Licata, who authorities stated used the alias George Pumilia and Nick Bwalie, refused to divulge any information as to who shot him and why. Authorities did note that Licata let a bit of information slip that he was shot through a door but that was all he stated. Licata adamantly stated he was George Pumilia of 1117 Ferguson Street but authorities discounted this by Captain Charles Manson who had a Bertillion photograph of him and recognized him as the widely sought Chicago gangster. According to newspaper reports, George Pumilia was Licata’s brother-in-law, but efforts to substantiate this has failed. According to Manson, Licata had come to Rockford the previous October and had become a greatly feared man by bootleggers and people of his own race as he had extorted large sums of money from them.

Licata had been arrested at a disorderly house on the corner of 15th Avenue and Magnolia Street that November but had paid a fine and was released from custody. It was only a week after that authorities learned he was wanted in Chicago. They also stated that he operated a bootlegging place at 801 West Street but authorities were never able to catch up with him. He had evaded capture when he convinced police he was Joe Pumilia at the time and they released him.

What happened was Friday night May 25th at 5:30pm a car stopped in front of Alec’s Place, a roadhouse two miles south of New Milford that was run by Joe Raymond. A spotlight was focused on the front of the roadhouse for a few minutes and then the auto moved on. A little later, Paul Giovingo and May Wagner pulled up in a small coupe and Giovingo was looking for his own auto. Wagner was said to be the divorced wife of Licata by the newspapers. Giovingo and Wagner entered the place and sat down. A short time later Licata entered and he and Giovingo ordered pork chop sandwiches. While Raymond was preparing the food, Giovingo and Licata entered the kitchen and Licata immediately objected to the way the pork chops were being prepared. Raymond made two more sandwiches and then handed them to Giovingo and Licata. Licata took his pork chop and threw it in Raymond’s face.

Not knowing Licata was carrying a gun, Raymond then grabbed Licata and shoved him out the front door. Licata pulled out his gun and fired three or four shots at the door. Raymond ran to the kitchen and retrieved his gun. Raymond fired his gun through the door while patrons including Giovingo and Wagner took cover under tables. As the shooting stopped, Giovingo, Wagner and Licata left and drove toward Rockford. Around 11pm Giovingo returned and told Raymond that Licata was on his way back to the roadhouse so Raymond locked the doors. Shortly thereafter, Licata returned and demanded admittance and when refused, Raymond stated Licata and an unknown man that had come with him began trying to pull the door off its hinges. As the two men continued hammering on the door, Raymond stuck his gun through a small hole above the doorknob and fired one shot. The commotion stopped and the two men left.

At that point, Licata drove to Sam Giacone’s store on South Main Street in Rockford and Giacone then transported Licata to the hospital.

On July 20, after recovering in the hospital, Licata was brought back to Chicago and faced charges there to which he was given 1-10 years in the penitentiary. May Wagner was given a $200 fine on disorderly conduct charges and ordered to leave the city. 26-year-old Sam Giacone faced no charges in this incident as well as Joe Raymond, whose real name may have been Raimondi. Paul Giovingo would eventually supply booze to the northside faction opposing Al Capone. Capone’s ally and friend, Rockford LCN boss Tony Musso eventually had Giovingo killed in February 1933 after four years of back and forth fighting.

Nothing more was heard of Nick Licata in Rockford and it is not known what became of him, whether he stayed settled in Chicago after serving his time or if he moved on to a more respectable lifestyle.

[B.]

A+

[Villain]

Thanks a lot cavita. First time hearing about this guy...

[Villain]

I just found out that i have one Sebastian Licata/Licato connected to the North Side mob and also to Fred Roti. Any relations?

[cavita]

I just found out that i have one Sebastian Licata/Licato connected to the North Side mob and also to Fred Roti. Any relations?

I know next to nothing about this Nick Licata or what became of him. Just a rough birthdate of 1896 or so.

[Villain]

I just found out that i have one Sebastian Licata/Licato connected to the North Side mob and also to Fred Roti. Any relations?

I know next to nothing about this Nick Licata or what became of him. Just a rough birthdate of 1896 or so.

Maybe Polack, B or Anti can add something to it, meaning if there was any relation. Its a "coincidence" that Sebastian was connected to the Northsiders...

[lennert]

Nick Licata, it appears, was born in Louisiana to Rosario and Antonina Fiorenza. He served time in Los Angeles for forgery, in 1935. The picture on his prison record is an exact match to the picture appearing in the Rockford papers. (Well, not exact, as it was taken a couple of years later, but very sure it is him.) His prison record also notes his birthplace as Louisiana.

Villian - Nick had a brother listed as “Buster” in the 1930 census. Maybe Sebastian?

[lennert]

By the way, Nick died in December 1940

[lennert]

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[Villain]

Nick Licata, it appears, was born in Louisiana to Rosario and Antonina Fiorenza. He served time in Los Angeles for forgery, in 1935. The picture on his prison record is an exact match to the picture appearing in the Rockford papers. (Well, not exact, as it was taken a couple of years later, but very sure it is him.) His prison record also notes his birthplace as Louisiana.

Villian - Nick had a brother listed as “Buster” in the 1930 census. Maybe Sebastian?

I think its him. Sebastian "Buster" Licata. Thanks a lot bud!

[cavita]

Awesome work lennert! Same guy to be sure...there were many Fiorenza's in Rockford as well. Do you have a cause of death for Licata?

[lennert]

No, just his entry in the Illinois death index... But his name does not appear in the Chicago Crime Commission list of gangland slayings, so I guess he was not murdered...

[lennert]

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[lennert]

Villian - This is the obituary of Buster Licata, Nick’s brother. Seems there’s a family connection to the Roti family.

[avvocato]

What is the significance of Sebastian (Buster) Licata?