Gustin Gang
Encyclopedia
The Gustin Gang was one the earliest Irish-American gangs to emerge during the Prohibition and dominate Boston
's underworld during the 1920s. The name "Gustin Gang" came from a street name in South Boston, which is off of Old Colony Ave (not the name of any "members".(2)).
Google Map
Originally formed by Steve Wallace, with his brothers Frank and Jimmy Wallace during the mid 1910s, they first came to prominence in Southie as the "Tailboard Thieves", often looting and hijacking delivery trucks while stopped at intersections. Although largely organized by Frank, the gang was enforced by ex-boxer Steve Wallace. The brothers committed hijackings and armed robbery throughout the rest of the decade.
During the 1920s, Frank Wallace and his brothers would frequently be arrested on charges including larceny, trespassing, gaming, assault and battery, and breaking and entering. However, due to their local political influence, they were rarely convicted, and spent relatively little time in prison. Compared to other bootleggers such as Dan Carroll or Joseph Kennedy, the Gustins held relatively less resources upon their entry into bootlegging, landing shipments at various points around the Southie shore and delivering it themselves to customers, possibly including Billy Wallace's Old Colony Avenue speakeasy, known as The Sportlight, (later, Kelley's Cork N Bull and now Stadium).
Eventually they turned to hijacking and, using false badges used by Prohibition agents, they easily confiscated alcohol shipments from rival bootleggers which they themselves later sold off.
On Dec. 22, 1931, after several trucks had been hijacked by members of the Gustins, Frankie Wallace and his lieutenant Bernard "Dodo" Walsh were killed in an ambush after agreeing to a sit-down with the Italian
s by Joe Lombardi of the North End
at the C.K. Importing Company. Although the gang retained its power within the city under brother Stephen Wallace, infighting between the various factions of Irish gangs would eventually see the Italians establish themselves as a dominant criminal organization.
Howie Carr's clippings on the Gustin Gang WRKO
Howie Carr's clippings on the Gustin Gang WRKO 2
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
's underworld during the 1920s. The name "Gustin Gang" came from a street name in South Boston, which is off of Old Colony Ave (not the name of any "members".(2)).
Google Map
Originally formed by Steve Wallace, with his brothers Frank and Jimmy Wallace during the mid 1910s, they first came to prominence in Southie as the "Tailboard Thieves", often looting and hijacking delivery trucks while stopped at intersections. Although largely organized by Frank, the gang was enforced by ex-boxer Steve Wallace. The brothers committed hijackings and armed robbery throughout the rest of the decade.
During the 1920s, Frank Wallace and his brothers would frequently be arrested on charges including larceny, trespassing, gaming, assault and battery, and breaking and entering. However, due to their local political influence, they were rarely convicted, and spent relatively little time in prison. Compared to other bootleggers such as Dan Carroll or Joseph Kennedy, the Gustins held relatively less resources upon their entry into bootlegging, landing shipments at various points around the Southie shore and delivering it themselves to customers, possibly including Billy Wallace's Old Colony Avenue speakeasy, known as The Sportlight, (later, Kelley's Cork N Bull and now Stadium).
Eventually they turned to hijacking and, using false badges used by Prohibition agents, they easily confiscated alcohol shipments from rival bootleggers which they themselves later sold off.
On Dec. 22, 1931, after several trucks had been hijacked by members of the Gustins, Frankie Wallace and his lieutenant Bernard "Dodo" Walsh were killed in an ambush after agreeing to a sit-down with the Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
s by Joe Lombardi of the North End
North End, Boston, Massachusetts
The North End is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. It has the distinction of being the city's oldest residential community, where people have lived continuously since it was settled in the 1630s. Though small , the neighborhood has approximately 100 eating establishments, and a variety of...
at the C.K. Importing Company. Although the gang retained its power within the city under brother Stephen Wallace, infighting between the various factions of Irish gangs would eventually see the Italians establish themselves as a dominant criminal organization.
Howie Carr's clippings on the Gustin Gang WRKO
Howie Carr's clippings on the Gustin Gang WRKO 2