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The Butcher Cart Gang - Wa9 i

1. Butcher Cart1 (2). May 17, 1866.jpg

3.  From this news cutting we learn of the ruling to the case.

3.  Butcher Cart1. June 17, 1878.jpg

4.  In the following news cutting we learn a lot about the leader of the gang "Goody".  We learn more about James Titterington aka Jim Titter in terms of his role in the gang and more about his character.

4.  Butcher Cart Robber. February 9, 188

1.  This news cutting introduces us to "List," who allegedly uses a cart to escape after the crime, has been committed.  This was probably the origin of the Butcher Cart Gang.

2.  The news cutting below was written some twelve years later.  The reader is introduced to James Richard Titterington, aged 24 years and his side kick Hogan.  We gain some insight into his appearance and quite a bit about his nature.

2.  Butcher Cart 1.  16 June, 1878.jpg

5.  This news cutting tells us how James Titterington turns State Evidence enabling the arrest and prosecution of Goody, the Gang Leader.

5.  Butcher Cart2. February 21, 1884.jpg

6.  In this final news cutting we learn of the sentence given to James Titterington and the other two accomplices.

6.  Butcher Cart. March 15, 1884.jpg
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JAMES TITTERINGTON

 

There are prison records pertaining to James that tell us a great deal about him in terms of appearance and we get some insight into the kind of life he led.

 

On 8th March, 1875 he was admitted to Sing Sing prison as James Hennessey for two years. He was born in Trenton, aged 18 years and single.  His mother was Isabella Titterington.   He was 5’8 1/4 “ tall and weighed 122 lbs.  Complexion was light, eyes grey, hair dark and letter J on right arm in ink.  He had a speech impediment and can read and write.  He was temperate, a Protestant and no trade.  He had been confined for an attempt to commit Petit Larceny.  

 

He was admitted to Sing Sing prison for one year for attempted 3rddegree burglary. His occupation given was a Stonecutter and he used the aliases of James Titterting, James R Broderick, Jas R Murray, Jas R Titterington and Jas Murray.

 

A prison record dated 1879 records James as aged 24 years, a Brass Moulder, eyes gray, hair dark brown, stature 5’11” and weight 150 lbs and he was married.  He resisted when arrested and his mother was Isabella Titterington.  He has a letter J on the inside of his right arm and a dot on the third finger of his right hand.

 

The 14th March, 1884 Sing Sing report tells us that James aged 28, was a Stone Cutter/Moulder. His complexion was florid, eyes grey, hair brown, stature 5’113/4”, weight 152 lbs, unable to read or write, habits moderate, tobacco, yes, a Protestant and married.  Again, his mother is given as Isabella Titterington. He now has a large scar on the back of his head.  His forehead is low and he has a scar on the top of his nose, nearly between the eyes. There is a shotgun scar on his back and one on the left hip.  There is a faded cross and a letter J on his right forearm.  He has an arched and medium left eyebrow close down to the eyes. A scar on the outer edge of his left wrist.  He has a good sized and sharp pointed nose.  A rather long chin and long neck.  A scar on the back of his head from a shot wound.  Scar from shot on both sides of left leg just below the knee.

 

The photo above was taken in 1876 when he would have been aged about 21 years, and it was considered to be a very good likeness of him.

JOSEPH TITTERINGTON

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Both young men, James and Joseph had speech impediments and led criminal lives.  

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Joseph, using the alias of Joseph Doyle was also admitted to Sing Sing prison for 2 years 8 months for 2nd Degree Assault.  He died in 1900 at the age of 39 years.

 

Joseph was described as “big a scoundrel as his brother, but he never attained the same prominence because he was a drunkard and consequently not in the confidence of the leader of the (Butcher Cart) gang, or conspicuous in any of the big crimes that made the gang famous. 

 

He was admitted to Sing Sing Prison on 11thMarch, 1890 under the alias of Joseph Doyle for Common Assault.  He had a medium complexion, blue eys and brown hair.  Stature of 5’71/2” and weight of 130 lbs.  he could read and write and his habits were moderate.  He smoked, a Protestant and single.  He had a fair sized and round head, hat size 7 , size 7 shoes and fine hair.  He had a scar nearly above left temple. Med sized ears. Hair now low over temple. Forehead med, height. Arched and good kept eyebrow.  Nose med sized and of Roman order. Rather short upper lip.  Round and hairy chin.  Large and very irregular teeth.  One upper front one gone.  Fairly regular features. Scar above inner corner of right eye brow.  One between eye brows and one in left eye brow.  Stutters very badly.  Very large scar above right knee cap also one on same knee cap - causing a withered leg and stiff knee.  Scar from burn on back of high hand.  Ink dot on back of left hand also one on back of left 3rd finger.

 

Their mother, Isabella, in March 1896 was admitted to the Poor House in New York.  She was aged 55 years and destitute, without friends.

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