Al Capone's Personal Telephone

My Al Capone Museum | home

{From 93 Palm Avenue, Palm Island, Miami Beach}

Al Capone's brass candlestick telephone with Capone name and address on telephone label under the base.

(Mario Gomes collection)

The telephone was used by Al Capone at 93 Palm Island before and after the St. Valentine's day massacre in communication with his accountant / business secretary Jake "Greasy thumb" Guzik. Guzik was at The Congress Hotel in Chicago while making and receiving these long distance calls. Al Capone's Miami residence phone number was 51810.

From Al Capone's tax trial October 10,1931

Subpoena demand signed and made out to William T. Harris, office manager at Southern Bell company Miami, Florida The court is requesting Al Capone's phone records from 93 Palm avenue for Capone's October 6,1931, tax trial. It is signed by Judge James Wilkerson.

This amazing piece of Capone history now in the Myalcaponemuseum collection comes from Al Capone's Florida Palm Island estate. This 1915 patented Kellogg telephone comes to my collection and website courtesy of one outstanding individual named Mr. Tom Dooley. Special thanks to him for understanding history, and for making it possible for me to have it in my collection in order to share this item with all the history buffs out there. Tom's mother was a nurse hired by the Capone family in the early 1940's to take care of Al, who was ill due to the complications of his advanced syphillis.

Mary, who didn't drive at the time, would visit the Palm Island, a man made island via bus and a jitney (Taxi).

Mary Lee (Turner) Brissette L.P.N.Mary Lee Turner was a Dade county licensed practical nurse. (L.P.N.) At that time, she divided her duties between private home care and nursing home care.

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Tom Dooley)

Mr. Tom Dooley and his mom, Mary Lee Brissette in 1968, after Tom's tour of duty in Vietnam.

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Tom Dooley)

On her various visits to the Capone estate, she kept noticing the shiney brass phone from the roaring twenties. It was no longer the main phone, and was only being used as an extension.

Al Capone's telephone.

(Mario Gomes collection)

The Capone's took notice. When replacement of the old style telephones, with the newer dial phones were made at Biscayne bay area, Mary was presented with this old treasure as a parting momento by the Capone family. Just a little something to remember Al by.

(Mario Gomes collection)

Under is the phone company tag along with the Capone name and residence address.

(Mario Gomes collection)

The Biscayne area and Palm Island in particular, had a switchboard set up which received incoming and sent outgoing calls to / from the residents living there. In the homes, these phones were connected to a box called a"subset", which had a battery, bell, and magneto crank.

Palm Island Capone residence phone.

In use circa 1928 to late 1930's.

(Mario Gomes collection)

Mary kept the Capone family phone for many years on a shelf, and in the 1960's she remarried to become Mary Lee Brissette. Mary continued to practice her love of nursing and went to work at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Her nursing experience spanned 40 years. In 1968, her son Mr. Tom Dooley, returned from valiant service in Vietnam. Mary gave her son the phone as a gift.

A caring Mary Lee Brissette and some little friends.

(Photo courtesy of Mr. Tom Dooley)

This telephone was used by Al, his family, guests and gangsters who visited there between 1928 to 1940. These guests and gangsters included the likes of Albert Prignano, Nick Circella, Jack McGurn, Raymond "Crane Neck" Nugent, John Capone, Albert Capone, Ralph Capone, Jake Guzik, Frank Nitti, John Torrio etc.....

Al Capone was on this very phone when he received the news from his friend Harry Read that Alfred 'Jake' Lingle had been murdered in Chicago.

Congress Hotel where Jake Guzik called Al in Florida, before and after the massacre.

((Mario Gomes collection. Postcard courtesy of pal Bob Richards)

Entry (18250-B) by the Chicago Crime Commission on Jake Guzik (Jack Cusack). It states information from the Herald Examiner about Guzik receiving and making long distance calls to, and from Chicago to his boss Al Capone, who was in Miami beach. This was mentioned in Pasley's, Kobler's and Hoffman's books on Capone.

(Special thanks to John Binder).

Palm Island, Biscayne Bay telephone

20015 Geograph, Made in USA

(Mario Gomes collection)

About the telephone, it was made by the Kellogg Switchboard and Supply co. In 1872, Milo G. Kellogg had been an engineer at Gray and Barton, a Chicago company manufacturing telegraph equipment. He later was employed as engineer and superintendant at the Western Electric plant in Cicero. In 1897, Kellogg leaves to start his own company, the Kellogg Switchboard and Supply co.

(Mario Gomes collection)

Back view of frayed cord and receiver.

(Mario Gomes collection)

Patent dates viewed from top.

Aug.16 1904, Sept 13,1904, Jan 26,1915

(Mario Gomes collection)

Hello? Hello? Capone residence, Al speaking!

(Mario Gomes collection)

Sworn affadavit of Capone phone obtained from Mr. Tom Dooley.

(Mario Gomes collection)

We know it came from Capone's Florida home, but how about for the phone itself?

After seeing some conflicting comments about this model on a message board,

I contacted phone expert "Kellogg" Mike Neale about the said phone.

I'm glad I did! Here's what he had to say.

"The telephone is a Western Electric as is the receiver. The transmitter has been replaced with a Kellogg (a very common practice, the replacement parts were taken off of another phone). Western Electric or Kellogg did NOT make brass telephones, they WERE either painted black or nickle plated. The brass WE and Kellogg phones you see have been stripped of their paint or the nickle plate has worn off (as in the link you have posted for a brass WE). The spot on your phone that is turning green is because the varnish applied to the phone after it was polished became chipped. If you want to know the model of your WE it will be stamped on the back side of the square portion of the neck (or perch as they were called)."

Looking from hi res photographs I sent him, Mike suggested two possiblities.

1) that the phone company may have painted the phone gold for Al's decor or tastes. The varnished gold over time (80 years) may have paled to an old brass finished look. Neale stated that many small phone companies did that and other wild things to their phones to appease customers back then. That would explain alot as Al did have some gaudy tastes as was seen in his Lexington hotel suite.

(Gold, Pink ,Green and Purple).

2) Upon closer inspection, Neale feels it is more than likely that the phone was simply stripped to the brass, polished and varnished for the Capone's by the Biscayne phone company and that it's 80 years has rendered it to it's present state. The varnish was used to deter tarnishing and to protect the brass from the green corrosion caused by the salt air (from the sea water). He has seen this same type of green corrosion before.The corrosion has appeared where the varnish has worn off or has been chipped.

The evidence of wear off is seen where the phone is handled in the middle of the receiver (stick part) and below at the back of the perch.

Back of transmitter. Western Electric 20AL model stamped at the neck or perch.

(Mario Gomes collection)

Special thanks to Mike Neale for his time and expertise.You can visit Mike Neale's impressive site at

1929 ad for Western Electric Company.

(Mario Gomes collection)

Here below are extremely well documented and intelligent sites that are well worth the visit for any old candlestick phone afficionado and links pertaining to Western electric and Kellogg collection. Some Kellogg history as to who is the man that worked at Western company in Cicero, Illinois developing phones and related apparatus.

The first link shows when Western Electric secretly controlled Kellogg.

Another excellent timeline by Husain Sumra sent to me by reference librarian Mrs. Carolyn Farmer.

It was uncovered by her kind assistant Janet.

The last link below is another excellent educational link discovered and shared by Payton Palmer (via Sarah).

Thank-you to all who shared these great links to telephone history.

Western Electric plant in Cicero,Illinois after a work day.

(Mario Gomes collection)

Hawthorne works,Western Electric.

(Mario Gomes collection)

My special thanks and immense gratitude to Tom Dooley and his mom, the late Mary Lee Brissette. Without them, this page would not have been possible. This webpage is dedicated to Tom James Dooley, who passed away on September 12, 2010. Without his kindness, this phone would have not seen the light of day. He was a kind soul, talented artist, and Vietnam veteran. He appreciated items foremost for what they meant, and not solely for their monetary gain. We both had this principle in common.

Rest in peace friend!


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(Mario Gomes collection) Certified 100% The telephone was used by Al Capone at 93 Palm Island before and after the St. Valentine's day massacre in communication with his accountant / business secretary Jake "Greasy thumb" Guzik. Guzik was at The Congress Hotel in Chicago while making and receiving these long distance calls. Al Capone's Miami residence phone number was 51810. From Al Capone's tax trial October 10,1931 Subpoena demand signed and made out to William T. Harris, office manager at Southern Bell company Miami, Florida The court is requesting Al Capone's phone records from 93 Palm avenue for Capone's October 6,1931, tax trial. It is signed by Judge James Wilkerson. This amazing piece of Capone history now in the Myalcaponemuseum collection comes from Al Capone's Florida Palm Island estate. This 1915 patented Kellogg telephone comes to my collection and website courtesy of one outstanding individual named Mr. Tom Dooley. Special thanks to him for understanding history, and for making it possible for me to have it in my collection in order to share this item with all the history buffs out there. Tom's mother was a nurse hired by the Capone family in the early 1940's to take care of Al, who was ill due to the complications of his advanced syphillis. Mary, who didn't drive at the time, would visit the Palm Island, a man made island via bus and a jitney (Taxi). Mary Lee (Turner) Brissette L.P.N.Mary Lee Turner was a Dade county licensed practical nurse. (L.P.N.) At that time, she divided her duties between private home care and nursing home care. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Tom Dooley) Mr. Tom Dooley and his mom, Mary Lee Brissette in 1968, after Tom's tour of duty in Vietnam. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Tom Dooley) On her various visits to the Capone estate, she kept noticing the shiney brass phone from the roaring twenties. It was no longer the main phone, and was only being used as an extension. Al Capone's telephone. (Mario Gomes collection) The Capone's took notice. When replacement of the old style telephones, with the newer dial phones were made at Biscayne bay area, Mary was presented with this old treasure as a parting momento by the Capone family. Just a little something to remember Al by. Top view (Mario Gomes collection) Under is the phone company tag along with the Capone name and residence address. (Mario Gomes collection) The Biscayne area and Palm Island in particular, had a switchboard set up which received incoming and sent outgoing calls to / from the residents living there. In the homes, these phones were connected to a box called a"subset", which had a battery, bell, and magneto crank. Palm Island Capone residence phone. In use circa 1928 to late 1930's. (Mario Gomes collection) Mary kept the Capone family phone for many years on a shelf, and in the 1960's she remarried to become Mary Lee Brissette. Mary continued to practice her love of nursing and went to work at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Her nursing experience spanned 40 years. In 1968, her son Mr. Tom Dooley, returned from valiant service in Vietnam. Mary gave her son the phone as a gift. A caring Mary Lee Brissette and some little friends. (Photo courtesy of Mr. Tom Dooley) This telephone was used by Al, his family, guests and gangsters who visited there between 1928 to 1940. These guests and gangsters included the likes of Albert Prignano, Nick Circella, Jack McGurn, Raymond "Crane Neck" Nugent, John Capone, Albert Capone, Ralph Capone, Jake Guzik, Frank Nitti, John Torrio etc..... Al Capone was on this very phone when he received the news from his friend Harry Read that Alfred 'Jake' Lingle had been murdered in Chicago. Congress Hotel where Jake Guzik called Al in Florida, before and after the massacre. ((Mario Gomes collection. Postcard courtesy of pal Bob Richards) Entry (18250-B) by the Chicago Crime Commission on Jake Guzik (Jack Cusack). It states information from the Herald Examiner about Guzik receiving and making long distance calls to, and from Chicago to his boss Al Capone, who was in Miami beach. This was mentioned in Pasley's, Kobler's and Hoffman's books on Capone. (Special thanks to John Binder). Palm Island, Biscayne Bay telephone 20015 Geograph, Made in USA (Mario Gomes collection) About the telephone, it was made by the Kellogg Switchboard and Supply co. In 1872, Milo G. Kellogg had been an engineer at Gray and Barton, a Chicago company manufacturing telegraph equipment. He later was employed as engineer and superintendant at the Western Electric plant in Cicero. In 1897, Kellogg leaves to start his own company, the Kellogg Switchboard and Supply co. Kellogg name (Mario Gomes collection) More views Front (Mario Gomes collection) Back view (Mario Gomes collection) Back view of frayed cord and receiver. (Mario Gomes collection) Patent dates viewed from top. Aug.16 1904, Sept 13,1904, Jan 26,1915 (Mario Gomes collection) Left side (Mario Gomes collection) Kellogg transmitter (Mario Gomes collection) Right side (Mario Gomes collection) Close up of base (Mario Gomes collection) Hello? Hello? Capone residence, Al speaking! (Mario Gomes collection) Sworn affadavit of Capone phone obtained from Mr. Tom Dooley. (Mario Gomes collection) We know it came from Capone's Florida home, but how about for the phone itself? After seeing some conflicting comments about this model on a message board, I contacted phone expert "Kellogg" Mike Neale about the said phone. I'm glad I did! Here's what he had to say. "The telephone is a Western Electric as is the receiver. The transmitter has been replaced with a Kellogg (a very common practice, the replacement parts were taken off of another phone). Western Electric or Kellogg did NOT make brass telephones, they WERE either painted black or nickle plated. The brass WE and Kellogg phones you see have been stripped of their paint or the nickle plate has worn off (as in the link you have posted for a brass WE). The spot on your phone that is turning green is because the varnish applied to the phone after it was polished became chipped. If you want to know the model of your WE it will be stamped on the back side of the square portion of the neck (or perch as they were called)." Looking from hi res photographs I sent him, Mike suggested two possiblities. 1) that the phone company may have painted the phone gold for Al's decor or tastes. The varnished gold over time (80 years) may have paled to an old brass finished look. Neale stated that many small phone companies did that and other wild things to their phones to appease customers back then. That would explain alot as Al did have some gaudy tastes as was seen in his Lexington hotel suite. (Gold, Pink ,Green and Purple). 2) Upon closer inspection, Neale feels it is more than likely that the phone was simply stripped to the brass, polished and varnished for the Capone's by the Biscayne phone company and that it's 80 years has rendered it to it's present state. The varnish was used to deter tarnishing and to protect the brass from the green corrosion caused by the salt air (from the sea water). He has seen this same type of green corrosion before.The corrosion has appeared where the varnish has worn off or has been chipped. The evidence of wear off is seen where the phone is handled in the middle of the receiver (stick part) and below at the back of the perch. Back of transmitter. Western Electric 20AL model stamped at the neck or perch. (Mario Gomes collection) Special thanks to Mike Neale for his time and expertise.You can visit Mike Neale's impressive site at www.kelloggtelephone.com 1929 ad for Western Electric Company. (Mario Gomes collection) Here below are extremely well documented and intelligent sites that are well worth the visit for any old candlestick phone afficionado and links pertaining to Western electric and Kellogg collection. Some Kellogg history as to who is the man that worked at Western company in Cicero, Illinois developing phones and related apparatus. The first link shows when Western Electric secretly controlled Kellogg. http://www.telephonecollectors.org http://pdfs.telephonearchive.com/kelloggtelephone/assets/misc_PDF/KG_HISTORY.pdf http://www.telephonearchive.com/phones/makers/western-electric.html The Telephone and phone systems throughout history Another excellent timeline by Husain Sumra sent to me by reference librarian Mrs. Carolyn Farmer. It was uncovered by her kind assistant Janet. The last link below is another excellent educational link discovered and shared by Payton Palmer (via Sarah). https://www.emissary.ai/history-of-telephone-communication/ Thank-you to all who shared these great links to telephone history. Western Electric plant in Cicero,Illinois after a work day. (Mario Gomes collection) Hawthorne works,Western Electric. (Mario Gomes collection) My special thanks and immense gratitude to Tom Dooley and his mom, the late Mary Lee Brissette. Without them, this page would not have been possible. This webpage is dedicated to Tom James Dooley, who passed away on September 12, 2010. Without his kindness, this phone would have not seen the light of day. He was a kind soul, talented artist, and Vietnam veteran. He appreciated items foremost for what they meant, and not solely for their monetary gain. We both had this principle in common. Rest in peace friend!