William Poole
| William Poole | |
|---|---|
| Born | July 24, 1821 Sussex County, New Jersey |
| Died | March 8, 1855 (aged 33 and 8 months) New York City, New York |
| Cause of death | Murder by shooting |
| Resting place | Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Bill the Butcher, Bill the Butcher Poole |
| Occupation | Butcher, fireman, gang leader, politician |
| Known for | Nativist leader of the Bowery Boys, a street gang of Know Nothings and volunteer firemen; murdered by his political rival, John Morrissey of Tammany Hall |
| Founded by | William "Bill the Butcher" Poole |
|---|---|
| Founding location | Washington Market, Manhattan, New York City |
| Years active | 1840s |
| Territory | Washington Market, Manhattan, New York City |
| Ethnicity | European-American |
| Membership (est.) | ? |
| Criminal activities | ? |
| Founded by | William "Bill the Butcher" Poole |
|---|---|
| Founding location | Bowery, Manhattan, New York City |
| Years active | mid-19th century |
| Territory | Bowery, Manhattan, New York City |
| Ethnicity | European-American |
| Membership (est.) | ? |
| Criminal activities | ? |
| Rivals | Dead Rabbits, Plug Uglies |
William Poole (July 24, 1821 – March 8, 1855), also known as Bill the Butcher and Bill the Butcher Poole, was the founder of the street gang the Bowery Boys and a leader of the Know Nothing political movement in mid-19th century New York City.
Poole was born in Sussex County, New Jersey to parents of English descent. In 1832, his family moved to New York City to open a butcher shop in Washington Market, Manhattan. Poole trained in his father's trade and eventually took over the family store. In the 1840s, he worked with the Howard (Red Rover) Volunteer Fire Engine Company #34, on Hudson and Christopher Streets, and started the Washington Street Gang.
As a well-known gang leader and pugilist, Poole was frequently involved in fights, brawls, and other confrontations. The New York Daily Times reported the following on October 23, 1851:
A Brutal Outrage in Broadway. We learn that at an early hour yesterday morning, two noted pugilists entered Florence's Hotel, corner of Broadway and Howard street, and without any provocation seized the bar-keeper and beat his face to a jelly. It appears that Thomas Hyer, William Poole, and several others entered the above hotel, and while one of the party held Charles Owens (the bar-keeper) by the hair of his head, another of the gang beat him in the face to such an extent that his left eye was completely ruined and the flesh of his cheek mangled in the most shocking manner. After thus accomplishing the heartless act, all of them made an effort to find Mr. John Florence, the proprietor of the hotel, with a view of serving him in the same manner, but not succeeding in their latter design, they found the hat of Mr. Florence and wantonly cut it into strips, and trampled it under their feet. The desperadoes then left the house, and in the meantime Mr. Owens was placed under medical attendance, and in the course of a short time he proceeded to the Jefferson Market Police, in company with Mr. Florence, where they made their affidavits respecting the inhuman outrage, upon which Justice Blakeley issued his warrants for Hyer, Poole, and such of the others who were concerned in the affair, and the same were placed in the hands of officer Baldwin for service. Since the above was written we have been reliably informed that the affray originated from the fact of the barkeeper having refused them drinks, after they had been furnished with them twice in succession.
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