The Slaughter House Gang, or the Slaughter Housers as they were commonly known, was a notorious street gang that operated in New York’s Fourth Ward from the late 1840s to the mid-1860s. I first heard about them when I was researching the history of street gangs in New York City. The Slaughter Housers were widely feared and had a reputation for violence and criminal activity.
During this time period, the Fourth Ward was a rough and impoverished neighborhood, known for its tenements and crowded streets. The Slaughter Housers took advantage of the chaotic and lawless environment to establish their criminal empire. They controlled various criminal activities, including robbery, extortion, prostitution, and illegal gambling. They were known for their brutal tactics and were not hesitant to resort to violence to maintain their power and intimidate their rivals.
The gang derived its name from their base of operations, which was an old slaughterhouse in the Fourth Ward. This location served as their headquarters and provided them with a hideout where they could plan their operations and evade law enforcement. The slaughterhouse also became a symbol of their dominance and ruthlessness, as they were known to carry out gruesome acts of violence against their enemies.
The Slaughter Housers were organized and had a hierarchical structure. They had a leader, known as the “chief,” who made all the major decisions and controlled the gang’s activities. Underneath the chief were several lieutenants who oversaw different aspects of the gang’s operations. They had a network of foot soldiers, or “soldiers,” who carried out their orders and enforced their rules on the streets.
The gang’s influence extended beyond the Fourth Ward, as they had connections with other criminal organizations in the city. They formed alliances with other gangs, such as the Dead Rabbits and the Bowery Boys, to further their interests and expand their criminal activities. These alliances often led to violent clashes with rival gangs and resulted in numerous street fights and turf wars.
Law enforcement authorities, including the police and the newly formed Metropolitan Police Department, constantly battled against the Slaughter Housers. The gang’s violent reputation and their ability to evade capture made them a formidable adversary. However, over time, law enforcement efforts intensified, and the gang’s power began to decline.
By the mid-1860s, the Slaughter Housers were gradually disbanded, as many of their members were either arrested, killed, or had moved on to other criminal enterprises. The changing social and economic landscape of the Fourth Ward, with the influx of immigrants and the gradual urban redevelopment, also contributed to the gang’s demise.
Today, the Slaughter Housers are remembered as one of the most notorious street gangs of their time. Their reign of terror in the Fourth Ward left a lasting impact on the history of New York City. The gang’s brutal tactics and criminal activities serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating organized crime in the 19th century.