The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-05-11
g A N GS.
Queer Names That Charac-
terized Hard Char
aCters.
]" CHASING THE DUCK. :
Vigorous Police Action Has Dis
persed Them in This City.

During the past few months several
prisoners who have been arraigned before
the different magistrates in this city were
referred to as members Of some gang with
nh odd name, such as the "Lava Bed
Gang, Red Tiger Gang, = "Beach Gang''
and Bridge Gang TO those who are
unacquainted with police doings or who
have not had at some time or another an
unpleasant experience with some or the
members of the gang, the words sound
queer. decided to ascertain just how
many dangerous gangs threatened the
lives and property CT people in this city,
who composed the gang, how they operat-
ed and how the police were able to cope
with them.
About one year ago the gang element
was In its zenith Of power here. At that
slime the Second district, which run from
hEe north SIDE OF Newark avenue to the
Hoboken line, was oyerrun with tough
4 characters who appeared to vie with each
other in the ardacity and brutality of
their crimes Too ignorant to be first
class criminals, the gangs were content
with assauiting people who happened to
De abroad late at night and securing
whatever booty the late wayfarer might
possess. These midnight highway as
saulfs were the height of the gangs am
bltion, and to acquire the courage neces-
Enry Tor the commissions of such a crime
ardsthey would I'LL up on stale beer
which they procured by chasing the
duck
The members of the average gang are
generally between the ages of seventeen
and twenty-five. They seldom work ex-
cept when they are actually compelled
to. In the eyes of the gang the member
who follows any honest employment is
dispised by his colleagues. During the
day none of the gang can be found be-
cause, as rule, they are sleeping off the
effects Of previous nights debauch.
THEY SALLY FORTH.
At about eight o'clock at night they
come forth from their haunts. In the
GUNNER time they will congregate on a
street corner, where their language is not
of the classical order. II a respectable
perso1 Of either sex passes, one of the
gang will make disparaging remark
and If the passer-by is wise ne will not
heed the remark, as the gang would not
wish for better fun than TO exercise their
pugilistie powers.
At nine o'clock the gang will leave the
corner and repair to a convenient lot or
lumber yard where the gangs duck,
Is produced. The duck is a tin kettle,
generally OF large dimensions. and is
used for the purpose of conveying LIQUID
Refreshments. If the members of the
Ang be flush the duel" is chased with
" &srming rapidity, and the gang is soon
= In a az conaition to commit any crime,
even murder.
If on the other hand the funds be low,
the beer which can be bought for the
limited funds is slipped in sullen silence
until one of them proposes that they give
the saloonkeeper the swing This be-
ing carried unanimously, they sally forth
and as rule pick out saloonkeeper who
is termed soft by them. The leader
will 90 in and with great flourish ask
his colleagues what they are going TO
drink. Beer is not good enough for them
now and they drink whiskey. The sa-
loon keeper is invited to take drink
with them. He complies. After finish
ing the drinks the gang moves toward
the door. The proprietor asks for his
money, but is told to s.chalk it up where
nobody will ever see it. -
The average saloon keeper will jump
from behind the bar with a mallet or
some other weapon and attempt to force
payment He is instantly pounced upon
and generally vanquished. While a few
of the gang are doing up" the saloon
keeper the remainder generally explore
the contents of the money drawer. If a
policeman should be attracted by the
quarrel, knowing the characters he has to
deal with. he raps for assistance and
attempts an arrest. Sometimes he is sue
cessful and then again he is not. When
he does make an arrest it is accomplished
at the point Of the revolver.
The prisoner is logged off to the station
house. The following morning he is
arraigned in court, but the saloon keeper
has been kept away by the threats of the
gang and falls to appear against him and
I the policeman generally has to make the
charge Of resisting an officer" This is
one of the incidents of gang life.
y HIGHWAY ROBBERY THEIR AMUSEMENT.
Another and more dangerous pastime
which its members indulgein is the high
way assaults. AS early as ten o'clock
2pedestrians have been halted on the
streets of this city and told to deliver up
their yaluables. 1t is policy to comply
with their request, asa refusal is generally
equivalent to being seriously injured.
These lawless characters were in their
zenith of power one year ago in tn Sec
ond precinct. The district offered endless
opportunities for the gang on account Of
the large factories, lumber yards and
other places suitable for their rendezvous
But now, thanks to the energetic warfare
waged by Captain Smith, Detective Clark,
Sergeants Reardon and Kelly, they have
all been broken up and scattered. Some
are lodged in State Prison, while others
are serving terms in the County Jail and
at Snake Hill.
When Captain Smith took charge of
the precinct year ago the Red Tigers"
were constantly committing crimes.
Their headquarters were at the corner OF
Fifteenth and Henderson streets. The
members boosted OF their political infiu-
ence and after committing a crime it we
: hard to get anyone to appear against
them, as they were universally feared.
The leader Of this notorious crowd was
Tiger Sullivan. Tiger" it is said,
would as soon fight as eat. His leader
ship was earned by being ready to go into
any scheme, however lawless, and his
title was undisputed. Mr.. Sullivan's
colors have been lowered and ne is now
an inmate of the Penitentiary.
KILLED WITH A BEER KEG.
ANOTHER prominent member of the
s'Red Tigers was Jack Murray Murray
had only joined the gang q short while
when he was killed In brawl by being
struck with a beer keg Nell Murray, who
was shot few days ago while attempting
to escape from Policeman Cox. was also
an active member of the "Red Tigers
Will Thomas was also "Tfger," but
! he aspired to be a criminal of the higher
order and about year ago attempted to
enter shoe store on Pavonia avenue.
His attempt was q lamentable failure
kand he was captured. tried, found guilty
a1d sente&iced to State Prison for three
-. 80. 49, was pardoned about month
10 his release his behavior has
was another notorious MEM
Re Tigers" This gang, the
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