James H. Boyd (politician)

James H. "Jimmy" Boyd (November 5, 1906–April 11, 1974) was a Atlantic City politician and crime and political boss, who served under corrupt Atlantic County treasurer Enoch "Nucky" Johnson and New Jersey Senator Frank S. Farley.

Early life

James Boyd was born on November 5, 1906 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States.^[2] Jimmy was also given the nickname, "Boydie".

Prohibition

Boyd was working as a bellhop at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel during the time Prohibition went into effect in 1920. But, soon Boyd started to get up to the chain of command in corrupt Atlantic City treasurer and Southern Jersey Irish mob boss Enoch "Nucky" Johnson's organization.^[3][2]Boyd and Johnson met around the time that Johnson and Charlie Luciano were forming the Big Seven and they took an instant liking to each other]]; Johnson began grooming Boyd to become the next boss in his organization. He later became Johnson's right-hand man.^[2] He oversaw speakeasies, brothels, illegal casinos, and the numbers rackets.^[3] Boyd was also Johnson's and future boss Farley's top enforcer.^[4]

Atlantic City Conference

From May 13 to May 16, 1929, Nucky hosted the Atlantic City Conference. The conference was a meeting that established the National Crime Syndicate and Murder, Inc.. Former Chicago South Side Gang Johnny “the Fox” Torrio and Masseria family lieutenant Charles “Lucky” Luciano held the meeting to create the new form of organized crime. The Mustache Petes of the American Mafia, Joe “the Boss” Masseria and Salvatore Maranzano, were not invited because of their “old world views” on organized crime (not working with non-Italian gangsters). Jewish mobsters Meyer Lansky and Benjamin Siegel worked as the muscle for the meeting.^[5][6]

Delegates included: Al Capone (South Side Gang leader), Abner Zwillman (Newark Jewish mob boss), Dutch Schultz (Newark numbers rackets), Lansky and Siegel (Bugs and Meyer Mob bosses), Frank Costello and Joe Adonis (official members of the Masseria family), Nig Rosen and Max Hoff (Philadelphia Jewish mob bosses), Lepke Buchalter (Murder, Inc. boss and Bugs—Meyer Mob hitman), Moe Dalitz (Cleveland mob), and many more.^[6]

There’s no evidence of Boyd being at the conference, but it’s likely he was there, serving as a bodyguard or an adviser for Johnson, since he was his right-hand man and Johnson was there at the meeting.

Personal life

Boyd was married to Marie Boyd.^[1]

Frank Farley

After Johnson was convicted of tax evasion in 1941, New Jersey State Senator Frank S. Farley took control of Atlantic City's political machine. In order to create a "bridge" between the new and old regimes, Boyd was appointed the overseer of all operations in Atlantic City.^[3] He also became the executive chairman of the Fourth Ward Republican Club and assistant clerk and clerk of the Atlantic Board of Freeholders and boss of the fourth ward.^[1][7][2] Under the regime of Farley, Boyd was known as a vicious man.^[8][4]

World War II

Boyd was given a three year leave by Farley in order to serve in the Army during World War II. From 1942 to 1945, Boyd was a soldier in the 79th Infantry Division.^[1][7]

Death

Boyd died in his home on April 11, 1974 of cancer, at the age of 67.^[7][1][2]

Television adaptation

One of the main characters in the first two seasons of the HBO show Boardwalk Empire is, to some degree, based on Boyd. The fictional version of Boyd in the show is named James Darmody, a World War I veteran with a son and a wife. In the show, his father is Louis "Commodore" Kaestner (based on Louis "Commodore" Kuehnle) and his one-time mentor is corrupt Atlantic County treasurer and political boss Enoch "Nucky" Thompson (based off of Johnson)).

In the show, Darmody's associates/friends include: Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Al Capone, Johnny Torrio, Richard Harrow, and Mickey Doyle (based off of Mickey Duffy).

Nucky shoots Darmody in the head twice, killing him in the season two finale.

References