honeymoon gang

The Honeymoon Gang was a New York street gang of the mid 19th Century. The gang was said to be so violent that they were denied protection often received by other street gangs from Tammany Hall politicians. Operating out of New York's East Side 18th Ward, the gang was notorious for their brutal attacks, especially on unsuspecting passersby at the corners between Madison Avenue and 29th Street as "basher patrols" later celebrated at a local tavern, to such an extent that the neighborhood was virtually unsafe for several years. The gang continued to control the 18th Ward with little, if any, interference from authorities until 1853, when New York Police Chief George W. Walling became Captain of the district. Forming a group of handpicked men, later known as the Strong Arm Squad, were dressed in plainclothes and sent into the 18th Ward. Armed with "locust clubs" these officers would attack gang members awaiting thier victims and after several days the gangs were forced to abandon their attacks. However, Walling obtained identification of each gang member and, given to each of the district police, would attack gang members on sight and beaten. In less then two weeks the Honeymoon Gang had been disbanded as its remaining members fled to other neighborhoods with less police presence.

Honeymoon Gang

Further reading