Boodle Gang
Encyclopedia
The Boodle Gang was an American street gang active in New York City
during the mid-to- late 19th century. The gang were notorious "butcher cart thieves" during the 1850s and their hijacking methods would later be used by criminals of the early twentieth century.
's history, the Boodle Gang began raiding food provision wagons which passed though their territory of New York's Lower West Side during the 1850s. After the wagons began traveling around the West Side, the gang began moving into Centre Market soon dominating the area as the leading butcher cart mob.
The gang's particular method, similar to other butcher mobs of the period, after approaching the store with a wagon about a dozen gang members would charge into a butcher shop stealing a whole carcass and fleeing in the wagon. The gang's theft usually met with indifference as rival competitors such as the Potashes
were quick to take advantage by offering meat at discount prices.
By the 1860s, the Boodlers had perfected their techniques and had begun robbing messengers and couriers in the financial district. The gang's activities became very lucrative, particularly in January 1866 when two members robbed a courier carrying $14,000 and escaping by jumping onto a wagon losing their pursuers by clogging traffic in Beekman Street with three other carts. While the police were never able to halt their activities, the gang fared poorly during various gang wars during the 1890s, especially against the Hudson Dusters
who would come to dominate the area by the end of the decade. The Boodle moniker failed to instill fear among rival gangs. By the turn of the century the Boodlers were defunct.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
during the mid-to- late 19th century. The gang were notorious "butcher cart thieves" during the 1850s and their hijacking methods would later be used by criminals of the early twentieth century.
History
One of the earliest hijackers in New YorkNew 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...
's history, the Boodle Gang began raiding food provision wagons which passed though their territory of New York's Lower West Side during the 1850s. After the wagons began traveling around the West Side, the gang began moving into Centre Market soon dominating the area as the leading butcher cart mob.
The gang's particular method, similar to other butcher mobs of the period, after approaching the store with a wagon about a dozen gang members would charge into a butcher shop stealing a whole carcass and fleeing in the wagon. The gang's theft usually met with indifference as rival competitors such as the Potashes
Potashes (gang)
The Potashes were a 19th-century American street gang active in Greenwich Village and the New York waterfront during the early-to mid 1890s. One of the many to rise in New York City during the "Gay Nineties"-period, the gang was led by Red Shay Meehan and based near the Babbit Soap Factory on...
were quick to take advantage by offering meat at discount prices.
By the 1860s, the Boodlers had perfected their techniques and had begun robbing messengers and couriers in the financial district. The gang's activities became very lucrative, particularly in January 1866 when two members robbed a courier carrying $14,000 and escaping by jumping onto a wagon losing their pursuers by clogging traffic in Beekman Street with three other carts. While the police were never able to halt their activities, the gang fared poorly during various gang wars during the 1890s, especially against the Hudson Dusters
Hudson Dusters
The Hudson Dusters was a New York City street gang during the early twentieth century. Formed in the late 1890s by Circular Jack, Kid Yorke, and Goo Goo Knox the gang began operating from an apartment house on Hudson Street. Knox, a former member of the Gopher Gang, had fled after a failed attempt...
who would come to dominate the area by the end of the decade. The Boodle moniker failed to instill fear among rival gangs. By the turn of the century the Boodlers were defunct.