Bio

Emilio Picariello was born in Sicily on November 23, 1879. He moved to Canada in 1899. Emilio settled in Toronto at first and found work as an electrician and labourer. After saving enough money, he bought an Italian grocery store. In 1900, Emilio married Maria Marucci, a woman he met while she worked as a housekeeper at a boarding house. They had seven children together, the eldest being Stefano, often referred to as Steve.

In 1911, Emilio moved to Fernie, British Columbia. He worked in a macaroni factory run by G. Maraniro. When Maraniro relocated to Lethbridge, Emilio took over the Fernie factory and started hiring women to roll cigars. In 1916, he began to produce ice cream, making around 400 gallons each day. He sold this ice cream from a wagon during the summer and opened parlors in Trail and Blairmore.

His business tactics included accepting bottles as payment, which he later sold to bottlers. This practice earned him the nickname "The Bottle King." In 1914, he became the local representative for the Pillock Wine Company. When prohibition was enacted in Alberta in 1916, he found ways to profit by transporting alcohol across the border through the Crowsnest Pass.

After the introduction of prohibition in British Columbia, Emilio moved to Alberta to be closer to Montana, which still allowed alcohol sales. He purchased the Alberta Hotel in Blairmore and used it as a base for his operations. When prohibitions expanded, he dug a hidden tunnel for smuggling and employed tricks to evade checkpoints set up by the Alberta Provincial Police.

Emilio became a wealthy citizen and a respected member of the community. He served as an alderman in Blairmore and was known for his charitable actions. He contributed money during coal miners' strikes and bought victory bonds during World War I. Despite his reputation as a bootlegger, he was seen positively in some circles.

In his business life, Emilio had connections with various people, including Carlo Sanfidele, who later became known as Charles Lassandro. Lassandro married a young woman named Philomena Costanzo, who adopted the name Florence. Emilio played a role in their wedding arrangements, which led to rumors about his relationship with Florence. Over time, both Florence and Steve Picariello became involved in Emilio's bootlegging operations.

Murder Story

On September 21, 1922, Emilio Picariello and his son, Steve, were involved in a liquor smuggling operation. An informant alerted the Alberta Provincial Police (APP) about their plans. When they crossed the border into Alberta, Constable Stephen Lawson was waiting for them. After their arrival at the Alberta Hotel, two APP officers arrived with a search warrant.

Emilio honked the horn of his vehicle to alert Steve, who quickly tried to escape back to British Columbia. With the police in pursuit, Steve was shot in the hand by Lawson but managed to get away. Meanwhile, Emilio confronted Lawson, who warned him that if Steve did not return, the police would have to take him in.

After learning about his son's injury, Emilio became furious and decided to confront Lawson. He took two guns and traveled with Florence Lassandro to Coleman, where Lawson was stationed. A brief conversation escalated into a physical struggle between Emilio and Lawson. During the altercation, shots were fired, and Lawson was fatally injured.

After the shooting, Emilio and Florence fled to an abandoned shack for the night. The next day, a police manhunt led to Emilio's arrest in the surrounding hills. After being taken into custody, he learned that Lawson had died.

Emilio and Florence were charged with murder. Their preliminary hearings took place in October, and due to public sentiment, the venue for the trial was moved to Calgary. The trial began on November 27, with much attention from the public and media.

Emilio was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death. He was executed by hanging at Fort Saskatchewan on May 22, 1923.