O. O. McIntyre // There is a gas-house in Hell’s Kitchen that is particularly forbidding to those who wear white collars and carry canes. When such a person enters this block there is a mysterious shuffling of feet, odd whistling signals and an atmosphere of tenseness. If there are no cops about, there is usually an attack and the victim is beaten up and relieved of his watch and wallet. Hell’s Kitchen hates the cop as Satan hates holy water.
Ten policeman have been murdered in Hell’s Kitchen in the past six years by mere boys. The toughs enter upon careers of hard living early. The gang leader is rarely more than 21 and his satellites are always younger. Work to them is an anathema. The toughest gang in New York is the Hoo-Hoos of Hell’s Kitchen. It has been wiped out several times but always comes back. Those who are sent “up the river” to Sing Sing keep in constant touch with those left behind. Black-jacking is their specialty.
Oddly Social:
