The Plug Uglies were a street gang that conducted operations from 1854-1860 in the westside of Baltimore. Their name came from the giant plug hats that they wore(see flattering man below). The leaders of the Plug Uglies were John English and James Morgan who like the Bowery Boys were involved in the Know Nothings American Party, which was based on the fears that the country would be overwhelmed with German and Irish Catholic immigrants who were believed to be completely controlled by The Pope. The Plug Uglies influence on the street was very valued by politicians who would often times pay to have them influence the polls. In the Know Nothing Riot word spread of the gangs influence which resulted in the fighting of this gang. President Buchanan was forced to intervene sending marines in to quell the fighting. These marines however killed one gang member and 10 civilians making the president look like quite the fool. Luckily for Buchanan the event was soon lost, being overshadowed by the slavery controversy. The Plug Uglies were also involved in the murder of a Baltimore police officer in 1858 which resulted in deadly violence and was one of the most heinous crimes of the era.
http://en.allexperts.com/e/p/pl/plug_uglies.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment