who lived in Five Points watch while terriers attacked rats?
Did they engage in bloody boxing? Did they watch knife-throwing for sport? Were these popular games? Anbinder: I’ve never seen a description of knife throwing in Five Points per se. But rat pits were somewhat popular, though more by the waterfront than at Five Points. Cocks: Spectators came from uptown too. Anbinder: Bare knuckle prize fighting was very popular, but because it was illegal it was usually done out of town. Going to the theater was VERY popular. Five Pointers could recite Shakespeare as well as many uptowners. Cocks: Uncle Tom’s Cabin scene in “Gangs” was inspired by a real actor’s riot. Anbinder: There were also bars where sparring matches with gloves were held legally, but the unscheduled fights drew the most notice and fame. GG: Did firefighters really fight each other rather than fires? Cocks: Yep. Anbinder: Yes, but that was not their only reason for existence. Most firefighters really wanted to put out fires and be heroes. Political fighting was definitely part of t
