Joseph Toplinsky
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Yosky" Toblinsky (born 1879), better known as "Yesky Nigger", was a New York City
racketeer who, as head of an independent gang on East Side Manhattan
, was involved in extortion and poisoning horses with the Yiddish Black Hand
during the early 1900s. He was eventually sent to Sing Sing Prison for cruelty to animals
in 1902.
Toblinsky would later be arrested by police when he was identified by a witness as having participated in the hijacking of a truck while driving through Sullivan County
on May 23, 1935. Although escaping with $8,000 worth of pharmaceutical drugs as well as kidnapping the driver and his assistant, he would be captured within a month after being taken into custody on July 17.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
racketeer who, as head of an independent gang on East Side Manhattan
East Side (Manhattan)
The East Side of Manhattan refers to the side of Manhattan Island which abuts the East River and faces Brooklyn and Queens. Fifth Avenue, Central Park, and lower Broadway separate it from the West Side....
, was involved in extortion and poisoning horses with the Yiddish Black Hand
Yiddish Black Hand
The Yiddish Black Hand or the Jewish Black Hand Association was a criminal organization that operated on New York's Lower East Side during the early 20th century, led by Jacob "Johnny" Levinsky...
during the early 1900s. He was eventually sent to Sing Sing Prison for cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals
Cruelty to animals, also called animal abuse or animal neglect, is the infliction of suffering or harm upon non-human animals, for purposes other than self-defense. More narrowly, it can be harm for specific gain, such as killing animals for food or for their fur, although opinions differ with...
in 1902.
Toblinsky would later be arrested by police when he was identified by a witness as having participated in the hijacking of a truck while driving through Sullivan County
Sullivan County, New York
Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 77,547. The county seat is Monticello. The name is in honor of Major General John Sullivan, who was a hero in the American Revolutionary War...
on May 23, 1935. Although escaping with $8,000 worth of pharmaceutical drugs as well as kidnapping the driver and his assistant, he would be captured within a month after being taken into custody on July 17.
Further reading
- Schiavo, Giovanni Ermenegildo. The Truth about the Mafia and Organized Crime in America. New York and El Paso: Vigo Press, 1962.