The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-09-24
Both Assert They Were Married
to Luke Poole Of Paterson.
A BROTHER OF BILL POOLE.
Latter Was the Notorious Lsadsr Of the
Know Nothlngs," Who Was Shot and
Killed al New York.

Paterson, Sept. N.-Two widows, one "a
years old and the other S. have both laid
( claim TO the estate of Luke Poole, VINO
| died last August IN Paterson, y. J.
Mrs Cicely Poole, the elder of the two
widows. PROCESSES 70 have been married
10 Poole over so years ago, when. his
brother, the then leader of the New York
True American, or Know Nothing" par
~, was one OF the most notorious char
acters In metropolitan life. ~
Luke Poole was an awning maker and
became one of the best known men In
Paterson. Apart from his business, his
particular hobby was the study OF cleo
ton laws He pursued this research so
persistently that he had become one OF
the best authorities on that subject in
the state, and could answer at random
questions concerning the election laws OF
every state I'm the country.
He acted as Judge Of elections In the
Fourth ward OF Paterson, but the only
practical use ne found for his knowledge
was i'm the decision OF such petty elec-
ton cases as occasionally arose in local
politics.
CONTEST OF THE WILL
For 1e years Luke Poole had lived in
Sixteenth avenue with Mrs. Amanda
Poole as his wife When he died he
named her as executrix and guardian OF
his son, Arthur Shortly after hts death
the venerable Mrs. Cicely Poole arrived
from New York and began thorough
investigation I'm Paterson.
Though very frail, physically, she ap-
pears 10 be mentally competent ana tells
a consistent story OF her marriage 10
Luke Poole IN the stirring times OF half
a century ago. when Lukes brother.
bill" was leader OF the anti-lrish
party.
She saws she was the mother of three
children by Luke Poole. 'rhe elder Mrs.
Poole declares her intention o. making
fight for her dover rights and OF con
testing the will for her legal share or
tho estate. which includes lands in
Pompton and some lots in Paterson. 10
the deed for which the Paterson widow
has already signed as the only surviving
Mrs. Poole.
BILL" POOLE. GREAT CHARACTER
Fifty years ago "Bilr' Poole was one
OF the most prominent Of New York pu-
gilists, saloon keepers and party leaders.
lie was of fine physique, but brutal In
stincts beginning as a butcher in Wash
ington Market, he had prospered, and
had acquired an extensive reputation
down town as n bully and a rough and
tumble fighter, unscrupulous and re-
sourceful.
Abandoning his washington Market
business. he opened a saloon at Broad
way and Howard streets, which he called
the Bank Exchange.
Az that time the anti-foreign agita-
tion was crystallizing i'm the so-calcd
True American party. and bitter fights
between it's representatives and the irish
were OF daily occurrence. Poole identi-
fed himself with the anti-Irish move
ment. and soon became its recognized
leader I'm New York.
This brought him into direct conflict
with the redoubtable John Morrissey. and
the men became bitter enemies.
After threats and counter threats. Nor
rissey and Poole met one day by mutual
agreement TO settle their grievances in
rough and tumble fight. and incidentally
20 decide n personal wager OF $50 a side.
The fight which took place on the pier
then known as the Amos street dock.
was one OF the most brutal exhibitions
New Workers. ever witnessed.
II was governed bv no recognized laws
of puglism. but when II was ended John
Morrissey was n badly whipped man.
Some reports at the time stated that he
leaped into the river and swan for his
| life while other versions were that Nor
rssey ended the scrimmage by confessing
himself beaten.
KILLED IN sTANwIX HALL.
"Bill"Poole continued 10 wax great and
| intimate associate OF Morrissey; Jim
| Irving and other downtown Democratic
leaders shot and killed him in a bar
room brawl one night in the notorious
| stanwix hall, in Broadway. near Prince
| street.
Poole died game and his last words,
which immortalized him among the fol-
] lowers OF his own Know Nothing Clan,"
were:-"I Gle a True American"
Lew Baker fed from New York, but
/ was brought back on a clipper ship. a
coroners jury held him for Poole's muir
der and found John Morrissey. Jim
/ Irving and others accessories before the
| fact Baker was twice tried for his life,
\ once I'm New York and once I'm Newburg.
| on both trials the jury disagreed. a sin
gle member OF the twelve standing out
| for acQuittal
Baker subsequently became influential
I'm the Tweed ring and before its final
/ disruption went 20 Paris with a fortune
| where ne died under the name OF Jackson
| Neither Morrissov. Irving nor any of tho
A..