Lewis "Lew" Baker, was a patrolman in the New York Police Department who was simultaneously employed as a "slugger" for Tammany Hall. He was involved in voter intimidation and election fraud during the 1840s and 50s. A close friend and associate of Irish mob boss John Morrissey, Baker frequently battled supporters of the nativist Know-Nothing movement for over a decade.
Sadie "The Goat" Farrell, was an American criminal, gang leader and river pirate. She first came to prominence as a vicious street mugger in New York's "Bloody" Fourth Ward. Upon encountering a lone traveler, she would headbutt men in the stomach and her male accomplice would hit the victim with a sling-shot and rob them. Sadie, according to popular underworld lore, was engaged in a longtime feud with rival female bouncer Gallus Mag. Mag bit off Sadie's ear in a bar fight and displayed it in a glass jar behind the bar!
Meet the Characters
John Morrissey also known as Old Smoke, an Irish bare-knuckle boxer and a gang member in New York in the 1850s and later became a Democratic State Senator and U.S. Congressman from New York, backed by Tammany Hall. Morrissey began his bare knuckle boxing career after a confrontation with a man known only as "Chroel" who was notorious for troubling his fellow townsmen. Although Morrissey was on the bitter end of his first bare knuckle bout, his display of bravery and fortitude earned himself the respect and historical acknowledgment of his peers.
William Poole also known as Bill the Butcher, was a member of the New York City gang the Bowery Boys, a bare-knuckle boxer, and a leader of the Know Nothing political movement. Poole was born in Sussex County, New Jersey to parents of English descent. In 1832, his family moved to New York City to open a butcher shop in Washington Market, Manhattan. William Poole trained in his father's trade and eventually took over the family store. In the 1840s, he worked with the Howard (Red Rover) Volunteer Fire Engine Company #34, Hudson & Christopher Streets and started the Washington Street gang before The Bowery Boys.
Hell-Cat Maggie, was an American criminal and early member of the Dead Rabbits. She was a well-known personality in Manhattan's Five Points district who fought during the early 1840s. Although there is little information on her life, she is one of the earliest female criminals of the era and has been compared to other criminals such as Sadie the Goat, Gallus Mag and Battle Annie..
Epione, a healer, mystic, and optimist, brings some balance to the chaos. Through her ministrations, she brings hope to those that have none and kindness to the cold and unforgiving world that is Five Points. She knows all too well that we all have a darker side though.
Yankee Sullivan aka James Sullivan as well as James Ambrose and Frank Murray, was a bare-knuckle boxer. He was a prizefighting champion from 1851 to October 12, 1853. He considered himself to be the inheritor of Tom Hyer's title and lost any claim to that title after losing a fight to John Morrissey.
Gallus Mag, was a 6-foot-tall female bouncer at a bar called The Hole in the Wall in the early 19th century, who figures prominently in New York City folklore. She was one of the most feared denizens on the waterfront and the police of the period shudderingly described her as the most savage female they’d ever encountered.
