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TLS signed “Courtland Butler,” two pages, 8.5 x 11, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Justice, Board of Pardons letterhead, November 7, 1930. Letter to Charles D. Hart in Philadelphia, offering fascinating insight into Capone's demeanor, autograph signing habits, and life in prison. In part: "I however must let you know some intimate peculiarities regarding the famous Al Capone. Without doubt, during my twenty years in the Penitentiary, Al was the most interesting character of the criminal class that I ever met. I found him through almost daily contact over a period of six months or more to be a perfect gentleman and way above the average inmate. Of course, you knew just how the Penitentiary came to receive him from the Philadelphia County prison and during his time in the Pen he did wonderful charity work and was free with his wealth. He did not care for any notoriety over any of his acts in this line and he did not hesitate in spending if certain officials of the Institution vouched for the case.
While your first plan was to send me several copies of the biography of this self-made man, to have Al autograph some for you and then you changed your mind, I believe it would have been next to impossible for me to have been able to get in touch with Al for this purpose. While he appeared appreciative of our official friendship with him at the Institution, I doubt very much whether he would sign his name in this way. In all the time he was at the Institution, with all his wealth, I do not know of one instance where he ever signed a bank check and I think the only signatures that appear at the Institution are signatures on the little cash slips that you know of that are sent to Mr. Kratz, the cashier, for expenditures from Capone's own account.
I understand that in all his career he has never had accounts in his own name but always in the name of his wife or a straw man, so therefore never had occasion to sign any checks. Confidentially, while he was at the Institution, whenever he needed additional funds he would simply wire or write his wife to send the money on, which would come in cash mainly through a personal representative.
As you no doubt know, Capone was discharged by commutation law, having won two months commutation for good behavior. He was released on March 17th and he was not obliged to communicate in any form with the Penitentiary. I have never heard personally any word from him and the only news I have of him is what has been gathered from the newspapers which, of course, are always 'riding' him. Confidentially, I believe he is somewhere in Chicago but just where to reach him I would be unable to advise you. Owing to the fact that he was discharged by commutation law and not by parole we therefore have no letters of any kind from him. During all the time he was there I never saw any of his handwriting." In very good to fine condition, with old paper residue along the top of the first page, and trimming to the top of the second page.
The Marc and Mary Perkins Collection.
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