On a front porch. Snapshot. Private Collection.
A sepia candid of an American gent sitting on a front porch in the sun. Simple and nice.
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Yours truly
New Orleans snapshot. 2015. Private collection. Of course!
I thought I should sometimes update you with pictures of me, the blogger, and the gents of today who cross my path. We look photo-ready don’t we? *cough cough* And I look like I’m past my bedtime hour (it most certainly was). Hee hee.
The Short Tails gang
The Short Tails gang by Jacob Riis. 1887
The only known photo of the Short Tails gang that roamed the Lower East side of Manhattan in the 1880s-1890s. This picture was taken under a pier by the East River at Corlears Hook (a notoriously bad spot known for their brothels).
The Short Tails were drinkers, brawlers, and generally the worst kind of bad boys honest New Yorkers had the bad luck of running into. They were known to push loaded wagons into the river and turning around to ask the owner for a reward if they saved the contents.
They were also known to pirate boats. Then of course they’d spend all their ill-gotten dough at the local saloons like the upstanding citizens they were. They numbered around at least 50 or more, often partying in large groups on the streets late at night. Because of their ‘achievements’, their precinct had to employ twice as many cops.
They’re thought to have disbanded in the 1900s, members joining either the Five Points gang led by John Kelly west of the Bowery, or the Monk Eastman one east of it.
Here they’re seen drinking. Notice the mountain of discarded large tins (growlers) they used to carry beer.
Swagger in the sun
1935 snapshot. Private Collection.
This one packs much style for a tiny photo that is only 1″ 1/2 x 2″.
This dashing gentleman is standing in the sun with his hands in the back, a white fedora hat with the black band tilted on his own tilted head. Match this with a randomly dotted tie and dark suit with the white pocket handkerchief.
On the back is a first name: Julia. His sweetheart? It looks like the man’s on a boat by a dock.
The 1920s ‘Swamp Jax’ gang packing heat
The ‘Swamp Jax’ gang of four. Snapshot. Private Collection.
These bad boys all swagger posing on the side of a road behind a car, with their guns prominently displayed, one just tucked into the pants. Don’t know if running into them was a good thing…Prohibition or not, bet they drank good. There was a brand of beer here in Dixieland called Jax. Bootleggers? :)
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Bowlers And High Collars 