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November 21, 2009

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Looking back at the history of Tommy Shannessy and Bill the Butcher

By Mike McCormick

TERRE HAUTE — In the winter of 1854-55, Tommy Shannessy was a 10-year old orphan roaming the streets of New York City.

About 30 years later, he was a bartender at Gustav Nicolai’s Saloon at 659 Wabash Ave. in Terre Haute. In 2002, director Martin Scorsese recreated a few scenes Tommy witnessed for the Oscar-nominated film, “Gangs of New York.”

Tommy’s father allegedly was a crew member of the steamship Jenny Lind, a sternwheeler whose boiler exploded in 1853, killing about 30 and scalding many more.

Homeless, Tommy ended up living in New York living with Fletcher Harper, head of the book publishing firm now known as Harper Brothers. But Tommy got sideways with his host and was escorted to the door.

He tried to earn a living selling newspapers but rarely made enough to buy more than two meals a day.

William Poole, bar proprietor and bare-knuckle pugilist, took a fancy to the lad, allowing Tommy to sleep in his saloon on cold nights and, whenever the boy was stuck with extra newspapers, he would buy them.

Tommy helped Poole, running errands and cleaning up around the saloon.

Poole learned how to fight as a New York volunteer firefighter. Each volunteer unit boasted competitive boxers. Poole was one of several who excelled. Others included Tom Hyer, Yankee Sullivan and John Morrissey. Each was foreman of a different gang.

Each had a substantial following. Each declared himself “world champion.”

Bold, daring and aggressive with broad shoulders, brawny arms and a frame of steel, Poole probably was the most feared of the group.

Hyer and Poole, supporters of the Know Nothing Party, became friends. On Oct. 22, 1851, the pair walked into the Florence Hotel at Broadway and Howard streets and battered barkeeper Charles Owens’ face into jelly. Owens lost his left eye and was scarred for life.

After the fight Poole was known as “Bill the Butcher.”

A few years later, Sullivan and Morrissey had a fight, considered one of the most brutal ever fought. Sullivan continued to strike his adversary’s face after he was unconscious. Morrissey’s face was permanently disfigured.

Despite the horrible beating Morrissey received, his supporters refused to accept the standard ten-count as the rule determining the winner and requested judgment “by call to the ring.”

Thinking he was the winner, Sullivan left the scene and went home. The victory was disputed. Poole had placed money on Sullivan and wanted to be paid. He also opposed paying Morrissey.

Politically smart, Morrissey befriended Sullivan and made him a lieutenant in his Anti-Know Nothing organization. That turn of events gave Poole more reason to be upset so he challenged Morrissey to a fight on the pier at the foot of Amos Street on July 26, 1854 at 7 a.m.

A large crowd attended, most of them friends of the politically astute Morrissey.

Poole pressed the fight immediately, burying his head into Morrissey’s abdomen and throwing his opponent upside down. Then he began biting Morrissey’s thigh and continued to chew his way up John’s body until he reached his throat.

As the bleeding Morrissey screamed in pain, Poole realized that Morrissey’s gang would kill him once he was declared the victor. So he arose and, without warning, jumped off the dock into the river. He stayed underneath the pier until the crowd dispersed.

Morrissey and his henchmen — two of whom were Lewis Baker and James Turner — plotted revenge. In January 1855, Turner and Baker followed Hyer, known as “Champion of the American Prize Ring,” to Platt’s Saloon. Shots were fired but Hyer was able to overcome both men.

A few weeks later, Poole and a friend named Johnstone met Baker at the Gem Saloon, attacked him and tried to gouge out his eyes.

On Feb. 24, 1855, while drinking with companions in Stanwix Hall, opposite the Metropolitan Hotel on Broadway, Morrissey recognized Poole’s voice in the next room.

As Morrissey entered the room spouting expletives, witnesses heard Poole say: “My God, there is going to be trouble.”

Tom Shannessy, the bartender at Nicolai’s, was asleep next to the stove. A crowd surrounded the men. Morrissey drew a revolver, pointed it at Poole’s head and snapped the trigger three times without results. Poole drew his pistol and pointed it at Morrissey.

Meanwhile, Baker came into the saloon, having been told about the quarrel. Police officers followed and Morrissey and Poole were arrested. Both men were released without posting bond. Morrissey promised to go home while Poole said he wanted to go back to Stanwix Hall to apologize to the proprietor.

Charles Lozier, his brother-in-law, and Charley Shay accompanied him.

Shortly after midnight six men, including Baker and Turner, entered Stanwix Hall. Tom Shannessy was awake when they arrived. Patrick McLaughlin, known as “Paudeen,” sauntered over to Poole, grabbed him by his coat lapels and spit in his face three times.

Turner drew a Colt revolver from his holster and, leveling it in the hollow of his arm, pointed it at Poole. The ball accidentally entered Turner’s arm, causing him to fall.

The next ball pierced Poole’s leg. Bill the Butcher staggered toward Baker. Baker then placed the nose of his revolver against Poole’s chest and fired. The ball buried itself into Poole’s heart. After firing one more shot into Poole’s body, Baker escaped.

Poole miraculously survived for 14 days. He was interred in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery without a headstone. Baker escaped to the Canary Islands before being apprehended. Besides Baker, Turner and Morrissey, Cornelius Linn, John Huyler, Charles Van Pelt, James Irving and Paudeen were indicted for his murder.

Shannessy, the celebrated “boy witness,” testified at three trials. All ended in a hung jury. Tom was secreted on a training ship in New York harbor for nearly a year.

After the last trial, Shannessy — sometimes spelled “Shaughnessey” — lived in a juvenile home. A few years later, he was transferred to Mattoon, Ill. before being released to tell his story in Terre Haute. For awhile, he owned a saloon at 12 N. Second St.

And, thanks to the book by Herbert Asbury and Scorsese’s 2002 film, “Bill the Butcher” Poole now has a headstone.

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