11 Facts About Lew Baker

Lewis "Lew" Baker was a Welsh-American patrolman in the New York Police Department who was simultaneously employed as a "slugger" for Tammany Hall.

Lew Baker was involved in voter intimidation and election fraud during the 1840s and 1850s.

Lew Baker is most remembered however as the assassin of William "Bill the Butcher" Poole.

Lew Baker shot and killed Poole in a Broadway saloon during a brawl.

Lew Baker soon became involved in violent fighting against the many nativist organizations of the period, in particular, the Bowery Boys.

Lew Baker then shot Poole twice, once in the stomach and the second in his chest, and left the saloon.

All three were reportedly drunk, Lew Baker having recently been dismissed from the NYPD, and the still sober Poole was dismissive towards his taunts but offered $100 that he could beat any of the three men.

Lew Baker then fired the second shot that hit Poole in the leg.

Poole then staggered towards Lew Baker who drew his own revolver and shot him twice before leaving the bar.

Morrissey and Dan Kerrigan were accused as accessories to the murder, the latter suspected of helping Lew Baker escape the city, but neither men were ever indicted.

Lew Baker hid out in New Jersey for a time before fleeing the country altogether.