Danny Lyons
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Danny Lyons | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1862 |
| Died | August 21, 1888 (age 26[1][2]) |
| Occupation | Criminal gang leader |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Conviction(s) | Murder |
| Criminal penalty | Death by hanging |
Top row left to right: Baboon Connolly, Josh Hines, Bull Hurley
Middle row left to right: Clops Connelly, Dorsey Doyle, Googy Corcaran
Bottom row left to right: Mike Lloyd, Piker Ryan, Red Rocks Farrell
Danny Lyons (1862 – August 21, 1888) was, along with Danny Driscoll, the leader of the Whyos street gang during the 1870s and 1880s.
Whyos Gang
[edit]A prominent member of the Whyos Gang, a New York City street gang, Lyons led the gang with co-leader Danny Driscoll at their height during the late nineteenth century. Lyons, who was hired for crimes ranging from assault to murder, also supported three prostitutes, Lizzie the Dove, Bunty Kate, and Gentle Maggie. When the three women were unable to earn enough money Lyons hired Kitty McGown away from rival pimp Joseph Quinn.
Murder of Joseph Quinn
[edit]Joseph Quinn soon began looking for Lyons and on July 5, 1887, Lyons killed Quinn during a gunfight between them. Lyons was captured several months later and, while it seemed to be self-defense on the part of Lyons, he was executed by hanging on August 21, 1888. However, it has been suspected local authorities used the incident as an excuse to execute the well known criminal. While Kitty McGown and Bunty Kate quickly found another pimp, Lizzie the Dove and Gentle Maggie went into mourning. The two later got into an argument while toasting Lyons at a Bowery tavern and Gentle Maggie stabbed Lizzie the Dove in the throat, killing her. As Lizzie the Dove lay dying she was said to have told Gentle Maggie that she would "meet you in hell and there scratch your eyes out".
Death
[edit]Danny Lyons was executed in The Tombs Prison in New York City on August 21, 1888. His last words were ″Goodbye, Joe" said to Joseph Budd Atkinson, the hangman[3].
_pg501_THE_TOMBS._THE_PLACE_OF_DETENTION_FOR_CRIMINALS_AWAITING_TRIAL_(cropped).jpg)
See also
[edit]- Capital punishment in New York (state)
- Capital punishment in the United States
- List of people executed in New York
Further reading
[edit]- Sifakis, Carl. Encyclopedia of American Crime, New York. Facts on File Inc., 1982
- ^ Execution of Lyons, Alexandria Gazette, Volume 89, Number 198, 21 August 1888
- ^ The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 21 Aug 1888
- ^ The Daily Whig, August 21, 1888
- 1860 births
- 1888 deaths
- 1887 murders in the United States
- 19th-century executions by New York (state)
- American people executed for murder
- 19th-century executions by the United States
- Whyos
- American gangsters of Irish descent
- Executed American gangsters
- People convicted of murder by New York (state)
- People executed by New York (state) by hanging
- 19th-century executions of American people
- American crime bosses