This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

The sky was the limit, as the Mafia indulged in running alcohol, extortion, protection rackets, adn skimming from Las Vegas casinos. The Cream City had its crooked lawyers, corrupt cops, and even a mayor on the take. There was the blood of those who dared to stand in the syndicate's way, who were found dead in ditches or as victims of car bombs. While now considered extinct, the Milwaukee Family was once a dominant force in the Midwest.

Sheboygan, Wisconsin is a city defined by water. Situated on the western shore of Lake Michigan at the point where the Sheboygan River empties into the lake, life in the city has always revolved around water. Immigration brought new Wisconsinites via the Great Lakes. Product from Sheboygan's booming furniture industry left the city via the river and then Lake Michigan for markets elsewhere. Coal and salt moved around the world from C. Reiss Coal Company for decades via Lake Michigan. Today, the water is the center of the region's recreation and tourism industry. This brief history touches on the many facets of Sheboygan, its river and its lake.