The explosive impact of Omaha's underworld

The latest bombing in Omaha was the Italian Gardens tavern on October 10, 1934. It was one of the 11 bombings in the last two years. The cause of this one was unknown. There were 40 neighbors protesting the new tavern. Benna Marcuzzo built the tavern for her son Mondo. Angelo Marcuzio was a donor of a floral arrangement to the funeral of murdered racketeer Clarence Hanfelt.

An explosion destroyed the Turf cigar store and two other buildings of 14th and Douglas streets in Omaha on June 26, 1932. The loss was $150,000. There were no arrests.

A bomb exploded at Baseball Headquarters, 413 S. 15th St. on March 31, 1933. Police Commissioner John Hopkins suspects it was an attempt to discredit him before the election.

Culver cigar store, 2030 Harney St., destroyed by bomb June 18, 1933. Mayor Towl and Police Commissioner Myers held long conference at station.

July 1, 1933: A bomb was thrown through the window of the Metropolitan pool hall, 1516 Capitol Ave.

A bomb exploded in front of the Fox Hunt Club, 1512 Howard St. on May 28, 1934.

The Orpheum Cleaners, 1509 Harney St., was bombed on July 4, 1934.

July 6, 1934: Southside Cleaners, 5009 S. 24th St. Bombings in Omaha must stop.

Stanley Zager's beer garden was destroyed by a dynamite bomb on July 9, 1934. Shrapnel from the explosion shattered a score of windows in the Armour and Co. office across the street.

July 28, 1934: A bomb blew a hole in the roof of the Mug House, 2001 Cuming St., injuring two women and doing considerable damage. Beer war blamed.

There was a beer war in Omaha. Two firms were fighting for the beer trade. Cigar stores were fronts for illegal gambling. The bookmaking was licensed in 1937. It was illegal in 1938. Three gambling outlets using the upstart local news service were bombed. The city repealed its bookmaker's ordinance in March 1938, but it did not stop the bookmakers. There was also a feud between the Nationwide and the Ziegman-Gaughan news services. They were involved in several bombings. One of them destroyed a cigar store. No one was ever charged in the incidents.