death on September 21, 1922. Lawson
initiated a sting operation to ensnare
Picariello during a regular liquor
shipment from Fernie to Blairmore,
Alberta. His plans were scuttled, and on
a signal from his father, Pic's 16-year-
old son and driver of the liquor-laden
car turned quickly back into B.C. The
pursuing officer shot the youngster
in the hand in an attempt to get him
to stop. In a scuffle between Pic and
Lawson later that evening, Lawson was
shot dead. Picariello and his assistant,
22-year-old Florence Lassandro, were
found guilty of murder and hanged.
The trial was covered across Canada,
bringing the drama associated with the
likes of Al Capone to the Provinces.
Fernie's bootlegging past is one the
fascinating stories being highlighted
this summer in the Fernie Museum's
popular walking tours on Saturdays
and Sundays from July 2 to August 27.
Check the Fernie Museum's website,
ferniemuseum.com, for times and
additional details of the Rum Running
and Whiskey Six tours.
The Picariello family, c. 1915.
Picariello moved his young family from
Toronto to Fernie in 1911, where he became
a successful entrepreneur.
Credit: Glenbow Museum
Picariello, Bottle King
Picariello’s ice cream wagon being driven
by his son Steve (boy in white shirt),
c. 1916-1917. Picariello gave free ice
creams in trade for bottles, adding to his
reputation at the ‘Bottle King’.
Credit: Fernie Museum
Constable Stephen Lawson, AB
Provincial Police, c. 1922
Lawson served as Police Chief in Fernie
from 1920 to 1922 before joining the
Alberta Provincial Police. This image was
taken on September 18, 1922, three days
prior to his death.
Jack Wilson, Fernie, BC, c. 1920.
Wilson came to Fernie in his early 20s
and soon saw the opportunities related
to bootlegging. Known as Mr. Big, he
worked closely with Mark Rogers from
Lethbridge, who was known as the
shadowy Mr. R.
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