"When arguments fail, use a blackjack." - Edward "Spike" O'Donnell, Al Capone associate

There are tales from the gangland era that are so entrenched in American history that they've become almost legendary. They're whispered about in smoky bars and discussed in hushed tones over old photographs, stories of a time when violence was a currency, and respect was earned through bloodshed and fear. Such was the world of Edward "Spike" O'Donnell, an associate of one of the most notorious figures in American crime history, Al Capone.

spike was one amongst Capone's tough crew of gangsters, his moniker derived from his penchant for using a meat cleaver nicknamed "Mrs. O'Leary's cow" in his rise to the top. It was a notoriously brutal era, a time when arguments were often settled by the swift and deadly application of violence. And Spike, with his distinctive blackjacks - weighted leather cords concealed within a gentleman's glove -was one of the most feared enforcers in the Chicago underworld.

However, the origins of gangsters and the enduring phrase for which he was known in the underworld came surprisingly from a moment of candor amidst the sheer brutality of their existence. "When arguments fail, use a blackjack," was his mantra, a grim testament to the harsh realities of their world, but there was no mistaking the hard-magged reality of the blackjack—a tool of silent intimidation and decisive force.

"When arguments fail, use a blackjack." The quote embodies a simple philosophy, but is deeply rooted in the rough-and-tumble world of Prohibition-era Chicago. It speaks to a time when the quick draw, the sudden strike, and the hidden weapon were more reliable than diplomacy or negotiation. But to those who knew Spike, it was more than just a quote; it was a lifestyle—a way of ensuring their message got through, even when words were either not understood or refused to acknowledge, and more blunt strategies were necessary.

Spike O'Donnell was not just another enigmatic figure from the annals of organized crime, Even as the years passed and the world moved on, the legend of Edward "Spike" O'Donnell might well forgotten or overshadowed. His quote is a reminder of the unassailable truth—sometimes violence is a requirement in the most dire of circumstances. It resonates across the decades, a stark reminder of the dark ephemerality of gangland life and the ruthless world that existed beneath the shining lights of a city.

The quote to this day remains in the North American criminal underworld. Many individuals whose livelihoods and reputations are determined by the shady character of their relationships will always consider it a possibility, when words and discussion fail to resolve a dispute.