Florence Scannell 1847-1870
Memorial gravestone in Old Calvary Cemetery, Queens, N.Y.
Florence Scannell had an ongoing feud with Thomas Donaghue due to political reasons. Florence ran for alderman in the 18th Ward against the Tammany candidate. Scannell was considered a bad man who depended on the spoils of politics to make his living.
Thomas Donaghue ,a liquor store owner, was a Tammany Committee member and a supporter for their candidate, Nesbitt. Donaghue was known to "clean out" his saloon when political opponents showed up to cause trouble.
On the night of Dec 3,1869, Florence, brother John and a small gang entered the saloon and began a fight with clubs. Pistols were drawn and in a melee, Florence was shot in the spine. He became paralyzed from his wounds and later died July 1870.
The feud ended when his brother John Scannell stalked Florence's killer (Thomas Donaghue) and murdered him with a Derringer pistol on Nov 3rd, 1872. John was disguised with a slouched hat and false whiskers. A crowd set out to lynch John Scannell after the murder of Thomas. Source: NY Times Nov 3rd 1872
Tisha of Crazy Working Mom is the hostess of Looking at the Sky on Friday. Go visit her for other participants.
Yes, and his first name WAS Florence!
theteach
10 comments:
I'd never heard that story before Mary. It was really interesting! And I love the photo but I always love your photos ;)
What a story. Sounds like Waterbury!
Love it! And I'm still laughing at your sidebar humor!
Fascinating .. and back in that day Florence was a popular mens name .. Florence Ziegfeld .. spelled this was or Florenz .. or to his friends he was Flo ...
Interesting ! what a story !!
I was just out visiting new blogs and found yours. Enjoyed my visit! Especially loved the limerick - since my b-day is on St. Patricks Day! ha ha
Not only are you sharing a perfectly blue sky, you educated me as well. And I just thought this was going to by another Friday! :) Thanks for sharing.
The White House
"...depended on the spoils of politics to make his living". This could be 2009...
The fight among the Irish seems almost fitting as we near March 17. Tammany was staffed with Irish, I believe...
such a pale blue to compliment the statue!
I love that we always learn something here, Mary! Thanks for being such a great teacher. Thanks, also for playing along with us each and every Friday!!!
-Tisha
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