Al Capone’s nemesis Eliot Ness was born this week, back in 1903

•On April 17, 1790, American statesman, printer, scientist and writer Benjamin Franklin dies in Philadelphia at age 84. In his scientific papers Franklin coined many terms still used in discussing electricity, including positive, negative, battery and conductor.

•On April 19, 1903, Eliot Ness, the man best known for using the tax code to take down Al Capone, is born. Ness led the charge against gin joints, speakeasies and other illegal institutions. Along the way, Treasury agents gathered the information that led to Capone’s conviction for tax evasion.

•On April 20, 1841, Edgar Allen Poe’s story “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” first appears in Graham’s Lady’s and Gentleman’s Magazine. The tale is generally considered to be the first detective story, and like the later Sherlock Holmes stories is narrated by the detective’s roommate.

•On April 22, 1886, Ohio passes a statute that makes seduction unlawful for all men over the age of 21 who work as teachers or instructors of women. The penalty for disobeying the law ranged from two to 10 years in prison.

•On April 23, 1956, Elvis makes his first appearance in Las Vegas. The audience, mostly middle-aged, was so unimpressed with the rock-and-roll star that his two-week run was canceled after only a week.