The Bowery Boys was a native, anti-Catholic, and anti-Irish gang based North of the Five Points district of New York City. The most famous of the Bowery Boys was William Poole, also known as Bill the Butcher, according to Herbert Asbury's book, Gangs of New York. Another famous member of the Bowery Boys was a man who was only referred to as Mose. He was described as "at least 8 feet tall and broad in proportion, and his colossal bulk was crowned by a great shock of ginger-colored hair, on which he wore a beaver hat measuring more than two from crown to brim. Luckily now you can get the Bowery Boys DVD to get all the details.

Mose's hands were as large as the hams of a Virginia hog, and on those rare moments when he was in repose they dangled below his knees; it was Skysey's habit to boast pride fully that his chieftain could stand erect and scratch his kneecap. The feet of the great captain were so large that the ordinary boot of commerce would not fit his big toe; he wore specially constructed footgear, the soles of which were copper plates studded with nails an inch long. Woe and desolation came upon the gangs of the Five Points when the great Mose leaped into their midst and began to kick and stamp; they fled in despair and hid themselves in the innermost depths of the rookeries of Paradise Square.

It was always debatable whether he was real or not. His real name was never recorded and there were many stories that told of his great strength and power. All information regarding him can be found in Herbert Asbury's book - and you can now watch the Bowery Boys DVD for a graphic interpretation of evens. In general, the Bowery Boys were mostly single males who often visited the saloons and brothels of the Bowery area and dressed in black stovepipe hats, red shirts, black flared trousers, high-heeled calfskin boots and black vests with oil-slicked hair.

The Bowery Boys were often involved with fights with Irish gangs from the Five Points such as longtime rivals the Dead Rabbits and were affiliated with the "Know-Nothing", or "American", political party which lasted from 1849 to 1856, and the Republican Party. It is noted that whether the above information is true or not, Herbert Asbury's book clearly states that the gang was most famous for helping the nativist movement. The party, which ultimately replaced the Whig party in New York, had nothing to do with the "Native Americans" of today - this you will clearly see on a Bowery Boys DVD.

During the New York Draft Riots of 1863 the Bowery Boys took part in much of the looting while fighting with rival gangs. By the end of the decade, however, the gang had split into various factions and the Bowery Boys gradually disappeared from the scene. The book and the movie titled Gangs of New York record the culture of the group. You can now order your Bowery Boys DVD online from the www.thevintagetheatre.com.