Mersher Miller
Encyclopedia
Mersher Miller, commonly known as Mersher The Strong Arm, (fl.
1900-1912) was an American saloon keeper and underworld figure in New York's Lower East Side
during the turn of the century
. Owner of a popular Norfolk Street beer house, his bar was later the scene of a gun battle when Johnny Spanish
attempted to rob the bar and its patrons.
In April 1912, Spanish entered the bar and approached Miller's brother who was acting as bartender for the night. Spanish asked where Miller was, his brother said he had left for the day and Spanish demanded $10 from the till. When Miller's brother refused, Spanish left saying he would return later that night. Believing like most of the city that Spanish had fled New York and was in hiding from the police and Kid Dropper, Miller's brother was unaware of his identity and was informed by a patron who suggested he arm himself before the gangster's return. Indeed as promised, Spanish returned with another man and proceeded to shoot up the place, shattering a large mirror over the bar and robbing the till as well as the remaining customers. Not only did Spanish receive the $10 he originally demanded but took the rest of the nights taking as well amounting to $80. He then turned to Mersher's brother supposedly saying "Now I might as well cook you. I've no use for barkeeps anyway, 'an besides you're built like a pig and I don't like your looks".
He then began firing, Mersher's brother ducking and dodging as he ran all the way to the end bar, and then Spanish left the bar with his partner. Mersher's brother emerged unscathed from under the bar after Spanish had left, police later finding two bullet holes in the ice box
, two through the mirror and five in the top of the bar. This feat greatly enhanced Spanish's reputation in the underworld although he was identified by a bystander and eventually arrested for the robbery.
Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
1900-1912) was an American saloon keeper and underworld figure in New York's Lower East Side
Lower East Side
The Lower East Side, LES, is a neighborhood in the southeastern part of the New York City borough of Manhattan. It is roughly bounded by Allen Street, East Houston Street, Essex Street, Canal Street, Eldridge Street, East Broadway, and Grand Street....
during the turn of the century
Turn of the century
Turn of the century, in its broadest sense, refers to the transition from one century to another. The term is most often used to indicate a non-specific time period either before or after the beginning of a century....
. Owner of a popular Norfolk Street beer house, his bar was later the scene of a gun battle when Johnny Spanish
Johnny Spanish
Johnny Spanish was an American gangster who was a rival of former partner "Kid Dropper" Nathan Kaplan during a garment workers' strike which later become known as the Second Labor Sluggers War in 1919...
attempted to rob the bar and its patrons.
In April 1912, Spanish entered the bar and approached Miller's brother who was acting as bartender for the night. Spanish asked where Miller was, his brother said he had left for the day and Spanish demanded $10 from the till. When Miller's brother refused, Spanish left saying he would return later that night. Believing like most of the city that Spanish had fled New York and was in hiding from the police and Kid Dropper, Miller's brother was unaware of his identity and was informed by a patron who suggested he arm himself before the gangster's return. Indeed as promised, Spanish returned with another man and proceeded to shoot up the place, shattering a large mirror over the bar and robbing the till as well as the remaining customers. Not only did Spanish receive the $10 he originally demanded but took the rest of the nights taking as well amounting to $80. He then turned to Mersher's brother supposedly saying "Now I might as well cook you. I've no use for barkeeps anyway, 'an besides you're built like a pig and I don't like your looks".
He then began firing, Mersher's brother ducking and dodging as he ran all the way to the end bar, and then Spanish left the bar with his partner. Mersher's brother emerged unscathed from under the bar after Spanish had left, police later finding two bullet holes in the ice box
Ice Box
The Ice Box is a 5,010-seat multi-purpose arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was adapted for hockey upon the Lincoln Stars' arrival in 1997. The Ice Box is located at 1800 State Fair Park Drive, on the Nebraska State Fair grounds....
, two through the mirror and five in the top of the bar. This feat greatly enhanced Spanish's reputation in the underworld although he was identified by a bystander and eventually arrested for the robbery.