Live Oak Boys
Encyclopedia
The Live Oak Boys was an Irish street gang who dominated New Orleans throughout the 1860s and 70s.
Led by "Red" Bill Wilson, the Live Oak Boys were formed in 1858. Their name derived from the oaken clubs that were their weapon of choice. They were less well-organized than their Five Points
counterparts, members often keeping for themselves whatever money or goods they had managed to steal. This often lead to infighting among the group's members; the stealing of each other's loot and at times even the killing of other members, such as the 1867 murder of Henry Thompson by Jimmy O'Brien.
Based on Gallatin Street, the gang would be hired out by local businessmen to commit assault
, arson
, and other acts of vandalism against competitors. Dance halls were frequent targets, the Fireproof Coffee-House being one popular dance hall hangout owned by former gang member Bill Swan.
The gang continued to dominate New Orleans for more than a decade. However, many members were eventually killed or imprisoned during the 1870s, and by 1880 the gang had declined to the point where they were often persecuted by the city's younger gangs. The Live Oak Boys disappeared shortly after.
Led by "Red" Bill Wilson, the Live Oak Boys were formed in 1858. Their name derived from the oaken clubs that were their weapon of choice. They were less well-organized than their Five Points
Five Points, Manhattan
Five Points was a neighborhood in central lower Manhattan in New York City. The neighborhood was generally defined as being bound by Centre Street in the west, The Bowery in the east, Canal Street in the north and Park Row in the south...
counterparts, members often keeping for themselves whatever money or goods they had managed to steal. This often lead to infighting among the group's members; the stealing of each other's loot and at times even the killing of other members, such as the 1867 murder of Henry Thompson by Jimmy O'Brien.
Based on Gallatin Street, the gang would be hired out by local businessmen to commit assault
Assault
In law, assault is a crime causing a victim to fear violence. The term is often confused with battery, which involves physical contact. The specific meaning of assault varies between countries, but can refer to an act that causes another to apprehend immediate and personal violence, or in the more...
, arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
, and other acts of vandalism against competitors. Dance halls were frequent targets, the Fireproof Coffee-House being one popular dance hall hangout owned by former gang member Bill Swan.
The gang continued to dominate New Orleans for more than a decade. However, many members were eventually killed or imprisoned during the 1870s, and by 1880 the gang had declined to the point where they were often persecuted by the city's younger gangs. The Live Oak Boys disappeared shortly after.
Further reading
- Asbury, Herbert. The French Quarter: An Informal History of the New Orleans Underworld. New York: Alfred A. Knoff, 1936. ISBN 1-56025-494-7