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William Poole (Bill the Butcher)

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Outlaw

The Resume

    (July 24, 1821-March 8, 1855)
    Born in Sussex County, New Jersey
    Butcher from Manhattan
    Leader of the Washington Street/Bowery Boys Gang
    Active with the Know Nothing political movement
    Famous for his brutal boxing style
    Portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis in 'Gangs of New York' (2002)

Why he might be annoying:

    He was a brazen nativist.
    He was a heavy drinker and gambler.
    He closed down the family butcher shop to open a saloon.
    He ran for office as a Whig in 1848 and came in last place.
    He did bare-knuckle boxing illegally.
    He fought dirty (legendarily not above biting off noses or gouging out eyeballs).
    He regularly sent his goons to terrorize immigrants and scare them out of registering to vote.
    He detested Boss Tweed and the Tammany Hall machine but for the wrong reasons (they accepted immigrants and protected Irish Catholics).
    His portrayal in ‘Gangs of New York’ is a highly fictionalized version (his name was changed to ‘William Cutting’ in the film).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was a volunteer firefighter.
    His training as a butcher made him into a skilled knife fighter.
    He weighed over two hundred pounds and was over six feet tall.
    He beat Tammany Hall leader John Morrissey in a boxing match and it led to Morrissey putting a hit out on him.
    He was shot in the leg and chest at a social club - reportedly by two of Morrisey’s enforcers (February 25, 1855). He died at his home two weeks later.
    Daniel Day-Lewis came out of retirement to play him and it revived his career.

Credit: BoyWithTheGreenHair


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Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 10 Votes: 90.0% Annoying