New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-10-06
:. BUTCHER ENGEL.
THE LIFE AND WORK OF THE TAMMANY
LEADER IN THE RED LIGHT
DISTRICT

Fourteenth-st., but it is well known that petit
tions to the ruler of that body receive attention
sooner if they can be brought to his notice at
the Democratic Club. There undlsturbed by
the rush and business incidental to running the
affairs of a large city. Croker has time to ex-
anime things deliberately, and for those people
who want a favor the club is the seat of gov
eminent. Johnny Carroll who is the masters
deputy has regular office hours at the Four
feminist headquarters but he also has up
town office, where those who dare may see and
speak to him. This is at Judge DugrO's Savoy
Hotel At one of the round tables in the palm
garden there is usually a group of Tammany
leaders. of whom Carroll is one. Ike Fromme,
''MOrry'' Untermyer AMI representatives from
the Police Department of the city usually
his companions. and lesser lights in the Tam
many combination sometimes permitted TO
put their feet under the Carroll table
The men who are lower down in the Tam
many scale have followed the example of their
exalted rulers. and many OF them have head
quarters away from their clubs, association
rooms and other recognized places of assembly.
Martin Engel, the Democratic leader of de
Ate" has two places of residence. place OF
business, a club, and office in the City Hall,
but many of his constituents who wish to see
him alone make their call at the Cafe Boule-
ward, in Second-ave. going between noon and
3 o'clock. The fact that hundreds of people
know that Engel is usually at the restaurant
between these hours has deprived the place OF
it's private character, and if the leader of De
Ate wishes 20 be seen privately he must select
other place.
Like his immediate superior Tim Sullivan.
Martin Engel is product of the crowded Fast
Side of New-York. He born in the Bavery.
and although he has grown rich he has never
shown any inclination leave that part Of the
Icity is fat her brrtch n
his brothers We're initiated into the kosher meat
business at an early age. The concerns special
~ poultry. This furnished alive. or
killed. and Martin learned how TO slaughter
poultry according TO the Mosaic rites. For many
years he assisted his father in this branch OF
the business. and although the Engels had many
competitors they became the leaders in their
branch and were compelled to hire extra Scho-
chefs iIlers-to supply their customers.
The elder Engel Fremont Republican.
and Martin was also a Republican in his early
manhood But the possibilities for advance
ment were greater on the Democratic side 81 the
house and he cast aside his first political love
and Joined the Democratic party, in which he
soon gained recognition His business brought
him in contact with large part of the popula-
tion OF the With Assembly District, and by
doing for them the many things which
pected of Il leader he soon gained strong hold
the voters OF the district. Inere is pfObabiN
no district like il in the Unite! States. More
than ~ per cent of the population consists OF
Jews who came from Russia, Rumania. Bo-
hernia and Hungary Engel says % per cent
are Jews II is the district of the pushcart. the
curbstone store and the coffee house. and in
cludes that part of the city which has become
known as the Red Light District 1t is bounded
by Norfolk and Chrystie SITS east and west. and
Houston and Division SITS. north and south
When Martin Ensel began his career a leader
n few years ago he had already made consid-
cradle money and was looked upon in the dis
trict as one of the aristOcrats He owned tene-
ment houses good clothes. and his shirt
front and fingers were always decorated with
large diamonds of the real kind He was a
bachelor and his chicken. goose and duck bust
ness in Essex Market in the hands OF men
who looked out for his interests. His pull"
with the police made him strong man. and he
used his strength to protect the keepers of the
dives and disreputable saloons which made the
district the worst in the city. He encouraged
colonization, and by maintaining a home in a
tenement house which he owns in Third-st. and
another at Silver Dollar Smiths hotel set
his followers good example
Martin Engel not an aspirant for office
when he went into politics. but he wanted to be
petty boss. and. with his police pull and his
devotion to Tim Sullivan he succeeded to such
extent that the Red Light District re-
manned undisturbed until anti-Tammany forces