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Whyos
The Whyos or Whyos Gang, a collection of the various post–Civil War street gangs of New York City, was the city's dominant street gang during the mid-late 19th century. The gang controlled most of Manhattan from the late 1860s until the early 1890s, when the Monk Eastman Gang defeated the last of the Whyos. The name came from the gang's cry, which sounded like a bird or owl calling, "Why-oh!" Origins Consisting largely of criminals ranging from pickpockets to murderers, the Whyos were formed from what remained of the old Five Points street gangs following the New York City Police Department campaigns against gang activity, particularly from 1866 to 1868. Originally forming from members of the Chichesters, the gang began absorbing other former rivals and soon dominated New York's Fourth Ward, an Irish slum notorious for its crime, by the early 1870s. The Whyos had several leaders, but longest reigning were Danny Lyons (arrested for the murder of gangster Joseph Quinn), his ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Danny Lyons
Danny Lyons (1862 – August 21, 1888) was, along with Danny Driscoll, the leader of the Whyos street gang during the 1870s and 1880s. Whyos Gang A prominent member of the Whyos, Whyos Gang, a New York City street gang, Lyons led the gang with co-leader Danny Driscoll at their height during the late nineteenth century. Lyons, who was hired for crimes ranging from assault to murder, also supported three prostitutes, Lizzie the Dove, Bunty Kate, and Gentle Maggie. When the three women were unable to earn enough money Lyons hired Kitty McGown away from rival pimp Joseph Quinn (murder victim), Joseph Quinn. Murder of Joseph Quinn Joseph Quinn soon began looking for Lyons and on July 5, 1887, Lyons killed Quinn during a gunfight between them. Lyons was captured several months later and, while it seemed to be self-defense on the part of Lyons, he was executed by hanging on August 21, 1888. However, it has been suspected local authorities used the incident as an excuse to execut ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Danny Driscoll
Daniel Driscoll also known by his alias George Wallace (1855 – January 23, 1888) was an American criminal and co-leader of the Whyos, Whyos Gang with Danny Lyons. The two held joint control over the street gang following the execution of Mike McGloin in 1883; however, both men were executed for separate murders only months apart from each other. They were the last powerful leaders of the organization and, following their downfall, the Whyos were eventually replaced by the Eastman Gang, Eastman and Five Points Gangs. His arrest for the murder of well-known Five Points, Manhattan, Five Points debutante Bridget Garrity, Bridget "Beezy" Garrity during 1886 was followed by one of the most publicized trials of New York's history.T.J. English, English, T.J. ''Paddy Whacked: The Untold Story of the Irish American Gangster''. New York: HarperCollins, 2005. (pg. 33, 36-38) Early life Growing up in a Five Points tenement district, Daniel Driscoll amassed a considerable criminal record b ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
