"Uncle" Lou Marcano (5 June 1909 - August 1968) was a Caporegime of the Marcano crime family in New Orleans, Louisiana during the mid-20th century.
Biography[]
Louis Marcano was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to a family of Italian descent, and he was the brother of Sal Marcano. Lou ran several brothels and other rackets in the French Quarter of New Orleans under his brother's criminal organization, and he lived a rowdy lifestyle as the "Santa Claus of the French Ward". Marcano was well-known among the elite of the city, and he often appeared in advertisements for the city and its French Ward. Lou Marcano became the boss of the French Ward under the Marcano crime family and his brother's top man for managing his political connections, and he was a major target for Lincoln Clay in 1968. Clay took down his drugs racket under Doc Gaston and Harry Robicheaux's sex racket, and he also killed Judge Cornelius Holden, the judge who was supposed to push for the legalization of Sal Marcano's casino project.
Downfall[]
Marcano dead on the statue
Lou Marcano decided to throw a fundraiser for State Senator Walter Jacobs on the riverboat Delphine on the bayou to gain a new political connection, and he had his riverboat heavily guarded. However, Clay blew up a coal dumper, which fell onto the riverboat and started a fire. Many of the wealthy people on board died in the attack, and Clay boarded the ship and killed several of Marcano's guards. Marcano held Jacobs at gunpoint at the end of the ship in an attempt to force Clay to back off, but an explosion killed Jacobs and launched Marcano and Clay into the water. A limping Clay pursued a scared Marcano as Marcano fired potshots while retreating into the bayou, and Clay caught up to Marcano and cut his throat with a knife before gutting him. His body was tied to the back of an Andrew Jackson statue and put on public display, sending a message to Clay's enemies.