gangsters

Gunmen going to Sing Sing (LOC)

from The Library of Congress

• Nathan Adams said:

  It's amazing the difference in a 1912 "perp walk" and the 2008 version.

• jh1970 said:

  The "gunmen" referred to (though hard to clearly identify in this photo) are 4 individuals with colorful nicknames -- "Gyp the Blood" Horowitz, "Lefty Louie" Rosenberg, "Whitey" Lewis, and "Dago Frank" Cirofici -- who were convicted of killing Herman Rosenthal, proprietor of an alleged gambling house in New York City. Apparently just days before his murder earlier in July, Rosenthal, according to period accounts, was in the process of contacting the city's District Attorney, hinting at police corruption and threatening to divulge the secrets of the gambling community. For newspaper stories directly related to this photo, refer to the following: 1) GUNMEN HEAR TO-DAY THE DEATH SENTENCE; Sheriff Will Take Them to Sing Sing at Once, Guarding Against Attack. INFORMERS HAVE VANISHED Jack Rose Can Be a Sicilian Marquis -- Title Offered for Part of Profits from His Book. New York Times. New York, N.Y.: Nov 26, 1912. p. 24 & 2) GUNMEN NEAR BECKER IN THE DEATH HOUSE; Four Sentenced to Die in Week Beginning Jan. 6, and Hurried Off to Sing Sing. CROWDS HINDER THE SHERIFF Wives of Two Gunmen Go with Them to Prison and Receive Their Valuables. New York Times. New York, N.Y.: Nov 27, 1912. p. 9 For details regarding Herman Rosenthal's murder, see GAMBLER WHO DEFIED POLICE IS SHOT DEAD. New York Times. New York, N.Y.: Jul 16, 1912. p. 1 You'll find that period newspaper accounts are great tools for finding fascinating details of as-it-happened events, often in much more (and gruesome) detail.

• Harry Angstrom said:

  Here is picture of the gunmen after their capture, from LOC/Flickr pictures: www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2422667831/

• Wystan said:

  Other Bain/LOC photos of characters involved in the Gunmen's Trial: