William Webber
Encyclopedia
Louis William "Bridgie" Webber (1877 – July 30, 1936) was an underworld figure in New York
and a former associate of gang leader Monk Eastman
who later testified against police lieutenant Charles Becker
during his murder trial in 1912.
operated various stuss
games as well as an opium den
on Pell Street and a popular poker room at the corner of 42nd Street
and Sixth Avenue
which was often frequented by Becker and other police officials (and thus never subject to police raids).
In 1911, two thugs were hired by gambler Herman Rosenthal to assault Webber who left him severely beaten. When Rosenthal further attempted to lure customers away from Webber's Sans Souci Music Hall, Webber used his political connections to have Rosenthal's Hesper Club raided by police (however other sources claim he had been hired by Rosenthal for protection from Charles Becker
, to whom Rosenthal had refused to pay off for running his gambling operations at the Hesper Club, and was severely beaten by Jack Zelig
and members of the Eastman Gang
who destroyed his clubhouse as well.
Brought into custody by a police detective two days following Rosenthal's murder, Webber claimed he had been at his clubhouse during the night. Although held in custody, his testimony against Becker and members of the Lenox Avenue Gang
helped convict the five men who were sentenced to death.
Fearing reprisals from the city's underworld, he was under police guard after his testimony and traveled to Cuba
. Shortly after his return to the city, Webber was stabbed by an unidentified youth on July 14, 1913 and fled New York. He became a successful manufacturer in Passaic
, New Jersey
for a number of years and later served as vice president and secretary of the Garfield Paper Box Company.
He later died of peritonitis
while undergoing surgery for appendicitis
at St. Mary's Hospital
or Passaic General Hospital on the night of July 30, 1936 on the 21st anniversary of Becker's execution. His funeral was attended by over 300 people, including Mayor Benjamin F. Turner.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and a former associate of gang leader Monk Eastman
Monk Eastman
Edward "Monk" Eastman was a New York City Gangster who founded and led one of the most powerful street gangs in New York City at the turn of the Twentieth Century, the Eastman Gang. His other aliases included Joseph "Joe" Morris, Joe Marvin, William "Bill" Delaney, and Edward "Eddie" Delaney...
who later testified against police lieutenant Charles Becker
Charles Becker
Charles Becker was a New York City police officer in the 1890s-1910s and who was tried, convicted and executed for ordering the murder of a Manhattan gambler, Herman Rosenthal in the Becker-Rosenthal trial. Becker was the first American police officer to receive the death penalty for murder...
during his murder trial in 1912.
Biography
He was born in 1877. Starting around 1900 he and Harry VallonHarry Vallon
Harry Vallon was a New York City gambler and mob informant.He turned state's evidence and testified against the gunman in the murder of Herman Rosenthal, and also against Charles Becker, under a promise of immunity from the district attorney. He testified as one of four mob informants, along with...
operated various stuss
Stuss
Stuss is a card game, a variant of faro. In this version the cards are dealt from the dealer's hand, not from a shoe. Also, the house won all the money when drawing two equal cards, as opposed to half in traditional faro...
games as well as an opium den
Opium den
An opium den was an establishment where opium was sold and smoked. Opium dens were prevalent in many parts of the world in the 19th century, most notably China, Southeast Asia, North America and France...
on Pell Street and a popular poker room at the corner of 42nd Street
42nd Street (Manhattan)
42nd Street is a major crosstown street in the New York City borough of Manhattan, known for its theaters, especially near the intersection with Broadway at Times Square. It is also the name of the region of the theater district near that intersection...
and Sixth Avenue
Sixth Avenue (Manhattan)
Sixth Avenue – officially Avenue of the Americas, although this name is seldom used by New Yorkers – is a major thoroughfare in New York City's borough of Manhattan, on which traffic runs northbound, or "uptown"...
which was often frequented by Becker and other police officials (and thus never subject to police raids).
In 1911, two thugs were hired by gambler Herman Rosenthal to assault Webber who left him severely beaten. When Rosenthal further attempted to lure customers away from Webber's Sans Souci Music Hall, Webber used his political connections to have Rosenthal's Hesper Club raided by police (however other sources claim he had been hired by Rosenthal for protection from Charles Becker
Charles Becker
Charles Becker was a New York City police officer in the 1890s-1910s and who was tried, convicted and executed for ordering the murder of a Manhattan gambler, Herman Rosenthal in the Becker-Rosenthal trial. Becker was the first American police officer to receive the death penalty for murder...
, to whom Rosenthal had refused to pay off for running his gambling operations at the Hesper Club, and was severely beaten by Jack Zelig
Jack Zelig
"Big" Jack Zelig was a Jewish American New York City gangster and one of the last leaders of the Monk Eastman Gang.-Early years & the Eastmans:...
and members of the Eastman Gang
Eastman Gang
The Eastman Gang was the last of New York's street gangs which dominated the city's underworld during the late 1890s until early 1910s. Along with the Five Points Gang under Paul Kelly, the Eastmans succeeded the long dominant Whyos as the first non-Irish street gang to gain prominence in the...
who destroyed his clubhouse as well.
Brought into custody by a police detective two days following Rosenthal's murder, Webber claimed he had been at his clubhouse during the night. Although held in custody, his testimony against Becker and members of the Lenox Avenue Gang
Lenox Avenue Gang
The Lenox Avenue Gang was an early 20th century New York City street gang led by Harry Horowitz, and was one of the most violent gangs of the pre-Prohibition era.-History:...
helped convict the five men who were sentenced to death.
Fearing reprisals from the city's underworld, he was under police guard after his testimony and traveled to Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. Shortly after his return to the city, Webber was stabbed by an unidentified youth on July 14, 1913 and fled New York. He became a successful manufacturer in Passaic
Passaic
-In New Jersey:*Passaic, New Jersey, a city in Passaic County*Passaic County, New Jersey*Passaic River, a river in northern New Jersey*Glacial Lake Passaic, a prehistoric proglacial lake-Historical events:...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
for a number of years and later served as vice president and secretary of the Garfield Paper Box Company.
He later died of peritonitis
Peritonitis
Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the serous membrane that lines part of the abdominal cavity and viscera. Peritonitis may be localised or generalised, and may result from infection or from a non-infectious process.-Abdominal pain and tenderness:The main manifestations of...
while undergoing surgery for appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
at St. Mary's Hospital
St. Mary's Hospital (Passaic)
St. Mary's Hospital is a non-profit acute care hospital offering a broad range of health care services and community outreach programs. The hospital is located in Passaic, New Jersey on 350 Boulevard between Oak Street and Crescent Avenue. St. Mary’s Hospital is a Center of Excellence for...
or Passaic General Hospital on the night of July 30, 1936 on the 21st anniversary of Becker's execution. His funeral was attended by over 300 people, including Mayor Benjamin F. Turner.
Further reading
- Becker Witness Dies; William (Bridgie) Webber Succumbs After an Operation. New York Times 31 July 1936
- Rites for Bridgie Webber. New York Times 3 August 1936