Patrick McLaughlin (criminal)
Encyclopedia
Patrick "Paudeen" McLaughlin (1822 – March 20, 1858) was a New York criminal and a "slugger" for Tammany Hall
during the late-19th century. McLaughlin, whose nose had previously been chewed off during a brawl in the Five Points with the Alderman of the First Ward, was widely regarded in the underworld for his skill with a blugeon and slung-shot .
(near Lansingburgh, New York
), McLaughlin left home at an early age to work as an immigrant runner in New York and soon became a well known street fighter and was imprisoned for a time on Blackwell's Island. After being severely disfigured in a brawl with a future Alderman of the First Ward, he retired from immigrant running and was employed as hired muscle for the Erie Railroad Company for several years. During the late-1850s, he and Jim Turner were bodyguards for Lewis "Lew" Baker
during his feud with William "Bill the Butcher" Poole
. He, along with Turner and several others were eventually convicted of aiding and abetting Baker after he shot and killed Poole on February 25, 1855.
McLaughlin himself, while drinking at a Howard Street
saloon and dance hall, was mortally wounded when he was shot on the morning of March 20, 1858 by sportsman Daniel "Daddy" Cunningham. He and Cunningham had become involved in a heated argument after McLaughlin had insulted the boxing abilities of John Morrissey
. When a fight broke out between the two men, Cunningham pulled a revolver and shot McLaughlin in the chest. Although later taken to the New York City Hospital, he eventually died of his wounds several hours after his arrival as doctors failed to find the bullet which remained lodged in his chest.
Tammany Hall
Tammany Hall, also known as the Society of St. Tammany, the Sons of St. Tammany, or the Columbian Order, was a New York political organization founded in 1786 and incorporated on May 12, 1789 as the Tammany Society...
during the late-19th century. McLaughlin, whose nose had previously been chewed off during a brawl in the Five Points with the Alderman of the First Ward, was widely regarded in the underworld for his skill with a blugeon and slung-shot .
Biography
Born to Irish immigrants in Cohoes FallsCohoes Falls
Cohoes Falls is a waterfall on the Mohawk River shared by the city of Cohoes and the town of Waterford, New York, United States. Discovered by the indigenous Mohawk tribe, the falls were originally called Ga-ha-oose, which is believed to mean "The Place of the Falling Canoe." Cohoes historian...
(near Lansingburgh, New York
Lansingburgh, New York
Lansingburgh was the first chartered village in Rensselaer County, New York, USA and was settled around 1763. The name is from Abraham Lansing, an early settler, combined with the Scottish word burgh....
), McLaughlin left home at an early age to work as an immigrant runner in New York and soon became a well known street fighter and was imprisoned for a time on Blackwell's Island. After being severely disfigured in a brawl with a future Alderman of the First Ward, he retired from immigrant running and was employed as hired muscle for the Erie Railroad Company for several years. During the late-1850s, he and Jim Turner were bodyguards for Lewis "Lew" Baker
Lew Baker
----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...
during his feud with William "Bill the Butcher" Poole
William Poole
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.-Early life:...
. He, along with Turner and several others were eventually convicted of aiding and abetting Baker after he shot and killed Poole on February 25, 1855.
McLaughlin himself, while drinking at a Howard Street
Howard Street
Howard Street may refer to:*Howard Street , a major street in Downtown Baltimore, Maryland**Howard Street Tunnel fire, a disaster that struck the freight railroad tunnel under Baltimore's Howard Street in 2001...
saloon and dance hall, was mortally wounded when he was shot on the morning of March 20, 1858 by sportsman Daniel "Daddy" Cunningham. He and Cunningham had become involved in a heated argument after McLaughlin had insulted the boxing abilities of John Morrissey
John Morrissey
John Morrissey , also known as Old Smoke, was 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...
. When a fight broke out between the two men, Cunningham pulled a revolver and shot McLaughlin in the chest. Although later taken to the New York City Hospital, he eventually died of his wounds several hours after his arrival as doctors failed to find the bullet which remained lodged in his chest.