John Morrissey: From the Street’s to Politics
John Morrissey's life and legacy have often been misrepresented due to historical biases held by his political adversaries and perpetuated by later authors like Herbert Asbury in his 1928 book "Gangs of New York". Accusations of criminal connections with Tammany Hall, leadership of the so-called Dead Rabbits gang, and involvement in the death of nativist figure William “Bill the Butcher” Poole have marred his reputation unfairly.
Born in Ireland on February 12, 1831, Morrissey's formative years were in Troy, New York. There, he initiated his journey as a boxer in an era when boxing was an unregulated sport of bare knuckles. His time spent working around the docks of New York and Troy also saw him engage in combat with prominent brawlers of the time. An early fight led to his nickname "Old Smoke" when he accidentally ignited his coat on a stove.
Morrissey sought out a match with the then-celebrated champion Tom Hyer, which never materialized, prompting him to chase the Gold Rush to California in 1849. It was in California that he triumphed over George Thompson, Hyer's own trainer, which paved the way for a future bout with John "The Benecia Boy" Heenan.
Upon returning to New York with substantial winnings, Morrissey immersed himself in the city's saloon scene, often associated with sporting figures of the era. He…
