Kid Jigger | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jacob Siegel |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Jigger |
| Occupation | Professional gambler |
| Known for | Underworld figure who controlled a small gambling empire in East Manhattan during the early 20th century; witness against Johnny Spanish in his 1910 murder case. |
Jacob Siegel (fl. 1900-1910), also known as Kid Jigger or simply Jigger, was an American gunman-turned-gambler who operated one of the most successful stuss parlors in Manhattan's East Side during the early 20th century. He was one of the few gamblers not under the control of the many street gangs active in the city, supposedly due to his reputation, and generally ran his operations free of interference from more powerful underworld figures.[1][2]
In May 1910, he was confronted by Johnny Spanish who attempted to intimidate Siegel into making him a partner. When Siegel refused, Spanish said that he would return the following night to "bump youse off tomorrow night". Indeed the following night Spanish returned with his partner Hyman Benjamin and confronted Siegel as he was leaving his Forsyth Street headquarters, between Hester and Grand Street, and called on him to fight. Spanish then pulled out his revolver and shot at Siegel, who ran off retreating into his stuss house, which instead hit 8-year-old Rachel Rooten which was playing across the street. Siegel later served as the principal witness against Johnny Spanish and Hyman Benjamin, although Spanish later fled the city.[1][2][3][4]
Siegel appeared as a minor character in the 2003 historical novel And All the Saints by Michael Walsh.
References
- 1 2 Lewis, Alfred Henry. The Apaches of New York. New York: G.W. Dillingham Company, 1912. (pg. 35-39)
- 1 2 Asbury, Herbert. The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the New York Underworld. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1928. (pg. 245) ISBN 1-56025-275-8
- ↑ "Murder Witness Scared; Siegel Testifies He's Afraid for His Life in the Benjamin Case". New York Times. 14 December 1910
- ↑ "LEADER OF GANG PUT ON TRIAL FOR MURDER OF GIRL; Opponent in Street Gun Fight Is Chief Accuser of Benjamin". The Evening World (Final ed.). 12 December 1910. p. 5 Col. 4. Retrieved 16 January 2021.
Benjamin is charged with killing Rachel Rooten, thirteen years old, on the night of May 29 as she stood in the windows of her home at No. 24 Forsyth street watching a fight between Benjamin's gang and a gang under the leadership of "Johnny Spanish". Benjamin had singled out Jacob Siegel, alias "Jigger," as his especial prey. The two were fighting with fists when somebody yelled: "Get your guns." One of the shots fired struck Rachel and killed her instantly. "Spanish" was arrested and said Benjamin, who had escaped, fired the short which killed the girl.