Page 86 - All About History - Issue 19-14

THE REAL-LIFE GANGS OF NEW YORK

COULD YOU BE in which both sides benefited. Democrat mayor
THE GANG Fernando Wood employed many Irishmen in the
Municipal Police but in 1857, when he was accused
BUSTERS A MUNICIPA of corruption and refused to stand down, the
Stateformedarivalforce;theMetropolitanPolice.
Calling for the cops POLICE ThisthreatenedtheroleoftheIrishanditledto
wasn’t necessarily a
shrewd move; corruption OFFICER? widespread anger, especially on 2 July, when the
Municipal Police was disbanded.
JusttwodayslaterTheDeadRabbitsalong
inevitably ruled with other gangs from the Five Points walked en
masse to the Bowery, targeting Metropolitan cops
19th-centuryNewYorkwasachaotic
city and for the century’s first half, it was QUALIFICATIONS: along the way. “Five members of the Metropolitan
policed by an incompetent and corrupt force No qualifications necessary Police[…]weresurrounded[…]byseveralhundred
available for hire. This force consisted of a as officers are trainedonthe ofthelowIrishoccupantsofthetenanthouses
night watch, 100 city marshalls and some 80 job. You will require common thereabout”, wrote a reporter in the New-York Daily
government officers. In 1845, however, the sense and a dollop of bravery:
pro-immigrant Democratic Party created an some cops refuse to patrol Tribune.Itwasjustthebeginningofthebattlefor
800-strong, highly political Municipal Police neighbourhoods on foot after controlamongthegangs,thetwodifferentspolice
force. When Democrat Fernando Wood was dark, but we want you to be made forces and politicians.
elected mayor of New York City in 1854, he of sterner stuff. numbers of arriving immigrants
lent his support to it, knowing his immigran that are new to the city. For Irish bare-knuckle fighter and gambler John
supporters had a controlling interest. Wood PHYSICAL FITNESS: Morrissey, the ensuing fight was essential. By 1857,
used it for his own political advantage and i You must be able and willing to UNIFORM: this loyal Democrat had come to lead the Dead
members weren’t above taking bribes. walk constantly for a shift of 16 You will have seen some of our
In 1857, when the Republicans came hours around a few small blocks officers wearing copper stars on Rabbits. It had been quite a rise for Morrissey, who
to control New York State, it created a of the city. Ability to deal with their hats and jackets. Removing had arrived in Manhattan at the age of 18 and
replacement Metropolitan Police. With Woo riots is essential; so is being able these for fear of attack on the startedabrawlatthecity’spoliticalorganisation,
refusing to let go of the Municipals, the city to nimbly navigate the dangerous street is frowned upon. As of 1853, theEmpireClub,withinhoursofsettingfooton
ended up with two forces, each controlled Five Points. full uniforms are permitted.
by a rival political party. Things came to American soil. The club had been run by Isalah
a bloody head when Met officers tried to RESPONSIBILITIES: CRIMINAL RECORD? Rynders, the political boss of the Sixth Ward voting
arrest the mayor on corruption charges on You will be expected to apprehend Having been in trouble with district in which the Five Points was located, and
16 June 1857. Hundreds of Municipal Police ruffians, often forcibly, inspect the law doesn’t mean you can’t
defended him and an almighty battle ensu hacks and stages, sweep the be a police officer, although MorrisseybecameRynders’protégé,usinghis
on the steps and corridors of City Hall, wit streets and light gas lamps in it is beneficial if your political brawn to intimidate Republican voters. Although
the resulting feud simmering for months a the evening. It is important allegiance is to the Democrats. Do Morrissey lived in California for a spell, where he
gangs siding with either the Municipals or you protect private property, you side with the Republicans? wonseveralboxingmatches,hisdesiretostepinto
the Metropolitans. The Municipal police fo especially that of the ruling Apply for a role with the
was disbanded later that year. political party, and control large Metropolitan Police. theringwithfamousfighterYankeeSullivanlured
himback.HethrewhimselfintoNewYorklife,not
only getting involved in the American-Irish rivalry
Mulberry Bend in the Five thatsplitthecitybutalsoallyinghimselfwiththe
Points in the late-19th or pro-immigrationpoliticsoftheDemocrats.
early-20th century
Intheoppositecornerwasanotherbare-knuckle
boxer, William Poole, otherwise known as Bill the
Butcher.PoolewastheleaderofboththeBowery
BoysandtheKnowNothingpoliticalmovement

FORTY THIEVES

WHY WERE THEY CALLED THAT? Given that they numbered
more than 40 members, it is highly likely they took
inspiration from the folk tale Ali Baba And The Forty
Thieves.

MEMBERS: Irish immigrants
MAIN ENEMY: Shopkeepers and residents of the Five Points.
GANG BRUTALITY: They were among the first of New York’s
organised street gangs, formed by Edward Coleman in
1826. He was imprisoned in 1838 for violently beating and
killing his wife for not earning enough cash.
DID YOU KNOW? Their headquarters was in the Centre
Street grocery store and dive bar run by Rosanna Peers.
Members were given illegal activity quotas and were also
involved in politics.
DOMINANT YEARS: 1826-1850

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