Pineapple Primary
Encyclopedia
The Pineapple Primary was the name given to a Republican primary election
held in Chicago
on April 10, 1928; more than 60 bombs were thrown during the campaign and at least two politicians were killed. The name derives from the slang use of "pineapple
" to refer to a hand grenade
.
On March 21, Giuseppe "Diamond Joe" Esposito
, the 19th Ward committeeman, was shot and killed on the street near his home at 806 S. Oakley Blvd, Chicago, IL. Esposito had received repeated warnings and was struck down while walking home from campaigning. His wife heard the shotgun blasts and ran to him in time to see him die. Neither of his bodyguards were struck and suspicion arose that they may have set him up. No one was ever charged with the killing. The day after Esposito's funeral, Senator Charles S. Deneen
's home was bombed. Deneen and Esposito were political allies despite Deneen's reputation as a political reformer. On the day of the primary, Octavius C. Grandy, a candidate for committeeman in the 20th ward, was chased in his car and killed.
Primary election
A primary election is an election in which party members or voters select candidates for a subsequent election. Primary elections are one means by which a political party nominates candidates for the next general election....
held in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
on April 10, 1928; more than 60 bombs were thrown during the campaign and at least two politicians were killed. The name derives from the slang use of "pineapple
Pineapple (disambiguation)
Pineapple is the common name for a tropical plant and its edible fruit.Pineapple may also refer to:* A community card variation of poker* Eugene Jackson, child actor* Dunmore Pineapple, a folly building in Scotland...
" to refer to a hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
.
On March 21, Giuseppe "Diamond Joe" Esposito
Joseph Esposito (mobster)
Joseph "Diamond Joe" Esposito was a Prohibition-era Chicago politician who was involved in bootlegging, extortion, prostitution and labor racketeering with the Genna Brothers...
, the 19th Ward committeeman, was shot and killed on the street near his home at 806 S. Oakley Blvd, Chicago, IL. Esposito had received repeated warnings and was struck down while walking home from campaigning. His wife heard the shotgun blasts and ran to him in time to see him die. Neither of his bodyguards were struck and suspicion arose that they may have set him up. No one was ever charged with the killing. The day after Esposito's funeral, Senator Charles S. Deneen
Charles S. Deneen
Charles Samuel Deneen was the 23rd Governor of Illinois, serving from 1905 to 1913, and was the first to serve two terms. He served as a U.S. Senator from Illinois, 1925–1931. Deneen also served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives in 1892...
's home was bombed. Deneen and Esposito were political allies despite Deneen's reputation as a political reformer. On the day of the primary, Octavius C. Grandy, a candidate for committeeman in the 20th ward, was chased in his car and killed.