Edwin’s Roadhouse a.k.a. Capone’s MIAMI GARDENS
© 2023 Edwins, Inc
Rio C Burke (8/29/1900 - 11/1/1994)
In 1992, Rio Burke, the last
surviving member of Al Capone’s gang,
visited Miami Gardens. Rio was born
Raye Rucker in Richmond, Kentucky,
and later changed her name to Raye
when she went to work for Big Jim
Colosimo, performing at the age of 19 as
a singer at his nightclub located at 2128
S Wabash Ave., Chicago, Il. If her
singing career didn’t already make her famous, her first
marriage eventually did when she took the hand of Dominic
Roberto (aka Roberts) on April 14th, 1924. Dominic owned a
nightclub in Chicago Heights, and they lived in the residence
with Jim Emery for 5 years.
Frank Nitti
As Rio toured our building, she
recalled many details about Miami
Gardens from her past; (information that
we preserved in our booklet, Miami
Gardens, The Secret Roadhouse of Al
Capone,) one of her first memories was about Frank Nitti, Al
Capone’s cousin. Rio talked about him as if it were yesterday,
providing many details about an evening when she witnessed
Frank Nitti shoot a hitman.
Albert Anselmi & John Scalise
Another story Rio shared was about
the murders of Anselmi and Scalise. She
talked about life as a mobster’s wife, and
Dominic Roberto. “The women always
kept to themselves,” but she indicated that
she usually knew what was going on.
Calument City
The Strip in Calument City was the
Midwest’s version of Las Vegas, and
featured all the usual amenities including
top entertainment, gambling and alcohol.