For those persons researching to write about the Saskatchewan Prohibition era, the Bronfman family, their connection with Seagram’s Company, and Chicago gangster Al Capone, I wish to say the following: 1. We do not hold any record providing proof that Al Capone came to Yorkton to visit Harry or Sam Bronfman, or that he ever met them elsewhere. However, after the United States Prohibition was enacted late in 1919, Harry and Sam organized booze outlets in small villages along the Saskatchewan/North Dakota/Montana boundaries, as did a number of other manufacturers. Capone, who would have been looking for liquor soon would have gotten wind of the booze manufacturers and warehouses operating in southern Saskatchewan. 2. The Soo line railway connecting Chicago to Moose Jaw went through many of these villages, like Bienfait and Gainsborough. I can see Capone looking at a map of Canada, locating Saskatchewan and planning a trip when he saw the Soo Line went through some of those villages where he was told there were booze warehouses. Once there those booze places were within walking distance of the railway station. A real find! 3. While Harry and Sam Bronfman did not mind breaking some laws regarding liquor distribution, I do not believe they were in the same league at all as Al Capone. I believe that they would have shown him the cases of liquor, made the deal, got payment and said “Good Day, to you Mr. Capone. Come again!” 4. Now, SEAGRAM Company of Waterloo, Ontario, founded in 1859 sold out to Bronfmans only in 1928. That was 4-5 years after Bronfmans had left Yorkton to go live and work in Montreal. There they set up a major liquor business and made the Seagram brand world famous. It is possible that Capone went to Montreal or Bronfmans met Capone in Chicago. However, you need to watch the dates. Capone was sent to prison for 8 years in 1931. Researchers can get excited about the folklore of the Prohibition era in Canada and the USA, but when it comes to research for facts, one often has to be ready to be disappointed! Liquor traders were not given to writing their memoirs!
You can go on line and view the film entitled FINDING AL. The producer is Kelly Riess. She produced a Documentary on trying to find that Al Capone came to Moose Jaw.
Contact Terri Lefebvre Prince,
Heritage Researcher,
City of Yorkton Archives,
Box 400, 37 Third Avenue North
Yorkton, Sask. S3N 2W3
306-786-1722
[email protected]
