1890 in organized crime

[edit] Events

The Catholic church in Lungshui of the Szechuan province is attacked by a mob of 30,000 people. Supposedly supported by the Big Sword and White Lotus Societies, the attack would be the last of the societies' anti-foreigner campaigns as several of their leaders are executed and the remaining members return to daily lives.

Frank Lyons is pardoned by Louisiana Governor Francis T. Nicholls and again re-forms the Yellow Henry Gang.
January 25 - After the capture of two burglars the previous week in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, police close in on the remaining members of the Oak Street Gang who had been committing burglary over the past several months in the city of New Haven, Connecticut arresting five more members. ^[1]
May 1 - Tony Matranga is wounded in an ambush shooting while driving down New Orleans' Esplanade Avenue with brother Charles Matranga. The attackers are driven off by the wounded Antionio Matranga, firing from their horse drawn wagon. Black Hand rival Joseph Provenzano is later indicted for the attack which later leads to the murder of police chief David C. Hennessy.
May 6 - Rival longshoreman, representing the Matranga and Provanzano crime family, become involved in a shootout resulting in wounding three members of the Matrangas, including Anthony Matranga who eventually would have his leg amputated.
October 15 - New Orleans Police Chief David C. Hennessy is killed by unknown assailants, believed to be an Italian extortionist organization, while investigating a gang war between rival factions. His murder and the acquittal of 17 suspects cause a lynch mob to storm the jail house and hang 11 of the men on March 14, 1891. The later anti-Italian riots would leave a long lasting resentment toward immigrants for decades.

^ Five In Jail, New Haven Police After the "Oak Street Gang". Boston Daily Globe. 26 Jan 1890