19th Street Gang
Encyclopedia
The 19th Street Gang was a New York
predominantly Irish street gang
during the 1870s known as a particularly violent anti-Protestant gang.
The 19th Street Gang, made up mostly of young pickpockets
, muggers
, and sneak thieves, was led by a young man known as Little Mike. Operating around New York's 19th Street to 34th Street, known as "Poverty Lane", the gang mainly robbed defenseless victims, such as the elderly, as well as women and children; however, the gang was sometimes said to spare local Catholics, often asking victims to give their baptismal name, recite psalms
, their local church
, and other questions.
By the end of the 1880s, the gang had disappeared entirely.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
predominantly Irish street gang
Gang
A gang is a group of people who, through the organization, formation, and establishment of an assemblage, share a common identity. In current usage it typically denotes a criminal organization or else a criminal affiliation. In early usage, the word gang referred to a group of workmen...
during the 1870s known as a particularly violent anti-Protestant gang.
The 19th Street Gang, made up mostly of young pickpockets
Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing is a form of larceny that involves the stealing of money or other valuables from the person of a victim without their noticing the theft at the time. It requires considerable dexterity and a knack for misdirection...
, muggers
Robbery
Robbery is the crime of taking or attempting to take something of value by force or threat of force or by putting the victim in fear. At common law, robbery is defined as taking the property of another, with the intent to permanently deprive the person of that property, by means of force or fear....
, and sneak thieves, was led by a young man known as Little Mike. Operating around New York's 19th Street to 34th Street, known as "Poverty Lane", the gang mainly robbed defenseless victims, such as the elderly, as well as women and children; however, the gang was sometimes said to spare local Catholics, often asking victims to give their baptismal name, recite psalms
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
, their local church
Church Body
A local church is a Christian religious organization that meets in a particular location. Many are formally organized, with constitutions and by-laws, maintain offices, are served by pastors or lay leaders, and, in nations where this is permissible, often seek seek non-profit corporate status...
, and other questions.
By the end of the 1880s, the gang had disappeared entirely.
Further reading
- Sifakis, Carl. The Encyclopedia of American Crime: Second Edition Vol. II (K-Z). New York: Facts On File Inc., 2001.