Gangs of New York - Bill the Butcher aka William Poole

William Poole (1821-1855) better known as "Bill the Butcher" was a member of the Bowery Boys gang featured in the movie Gangs of New York. In life Poole was known to throw a knife through a 1 inch piece of pine at 20 feet. He stood over 6 feet tall and was over 200 pounds was a bare-knuckle boxer, and a leader of the Know Nothing political movement. In 1832, his family moved to New York City to open a butchr shop in Washington Market, Manhattan. Poole trained in his father's trade and eventually took over the family store. In the 1840s, he worked with the Red Rover Volunteer Fire Engine Company #34, Hudson & Christopher Streets and started the Washington Street gang. On February 28, 1855 at the newly opened barroom  Stanwix Hall on Broadway near Prince Street several Tammany bruisers put $5 gold on the bar and challenged that her could not beat them all. Before Poole could make his move Lew Baker a long time rival shot Poole in the leg, abdomen, and through his heart. Amazingly he got on his feet, grabbing a knife and throwing it a Baker it quivered in the doorjamb as Baker ran for his life.  Poole died on March 9, 1855 from the gunshot wound at his home on Christopher Street, leaving a wife and a son named Charles Poole. His last words were, "Good-bye boys; I die a true American." His funeral was attended by 5,000 men and 6 brass bands playing dirges. He was buried on March 11, 1855, in Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery in an unmarked grave. A tombstone was added in 2004; the grave is number 48 and 49, F/G 6(v).