Bill the Butcher (Gangster) - On This Day

Full Name: William Poole
Profession: Gangster

Biography: William Poole, known as Bill the Butcher, led the Bowery Boys, a violent street gang, during the mid-19th century, and was involved in the nativist Know Nothing political movement.

Poole was born in 1821 in New Jersey and moved to New York City with his family in 1832. He became a skilled butcher and took over his family's shop in Washington Market, Manhattan. In the 1840s, Poole worked with a volunteer fire company and formed the Washington Street Gang, which later became the Bowery Boys.

Known for his large size and brutal fighting style, Poole was a feared figure in the city's underworld. He often engaged in illegal bare-knuckle boxing matches and knife fights. Poole's violent tendencies were evident in an attack on a bar-keeper at Florence's Hotel in 1851, who he beat half to death for refusing him a drink.

As a local leader of the Know Nothing movement, Poole opposed the influence of immigrants in American politics. He was particularly against Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party's political machine, for its inclusion of immigrants. Poole's political ambitions led him to run for alderman in 1848, but he received few votes.

Poole's most notable rival was John Morrissey, an Irish immigrant and Tammany Hall enforcer. Their feud intensified after Poole defeated Morrissey in a fight in 1854.

In February of 1855, Poole was shot by Lewis Baker and Jim Turner, allegedly acting on Morrissey's behalf, at Stanwix Hall. He died from his wounds in March that same year, at the age of 33.

Poole's life and death have been immortalized in popular culture, most famously in the Martin Scorsese film "Gangs of New York" (2002), where Daniel Day-Lewis portrayed a fictionalized version of him.

Born: July 24, 1821
Birthplace: Sussex County, New Jersey, USA
Star Sign: Leo

Died: March 8, 1855 (aged 33)
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound

Historical Events

• 1855-02-25 Bowery Boys gang leader William Poole "Bill the Butcher" shot in the back by gang of archrival John Morrissey in New York (dies 8th March)
• 1855-03-11 Bowery Boys gang leader William Poole aka "Bill the Butcher" is buried in Brooklyn with 155 carriages and 6,000 mourners

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