Louis "Two Gun" Alterie (2 August, 1886 - 18 July, 1935) was a Chicago gangster.

Born Leland A. Varain, Alterie joined the ranks of the North Side Gang of Dion O'Banion (which also sported the likes of Hymie Weiss, Vincent Drucci, and George Moran) in the early 1920s. A colorful member of the North Siders, he was a Western enthusist with the habit of wearing two Colt 45 pistols. As well as being a top gunman, he was also involved in union extortion. Alterie killed more then 20 rival hoods during the North Side gang wars against the South Side group of Johnny Torrio and Al Capone, the Genna brothers gang of "Little Italy", and other enemy factions.

After the death of North Side leader O'Banion, Alterie publicly challenged O'Banion's killers to a shootout on State Street. Knowing that this would result in the unwanted attention of both rival gangs and city officials, George Moran convinced Alterie to leave Chicago for a time until it was safe to return.

Alterie went to stay at his Moonridge ranch in Jarre Canon , Colorado. However, after a gangland shooting incident in Glenwood Springs, Colorado during November 1932, he was forced leave the state by 1 February, 1933. He agreed not to return for a period of five years.

Despite this, over the next few years Alterie tried to return to Colorado. During this time he was arrested for vagrancy when he returned to Chicago in October 1933. He did return to Colorado briefly, but ultimately went back to Chicago.

In June 1935, Alterie was forced to testify against Ralph Capone (the brother of Al Capone, nicknamed "Bottles") on a tax evasion charge. Shortly after this, he was killed while leaving his North Side apartment on the morning of 18 July, 1935. Ironically he was killed by a technique he perfected during Prohibition. Snipers had been laying in wait across from his apartment and opened fire as he left.

External links

• Famous Criminals: Louis Alterie