Patrick Bohan

Article summary

Patrick "Burly" Bohan (1864– January 8, 1931) was an American saloonkeeper and owner of The Doctor's, a popular dive bar at 95 Park Row, Manhattan and hangout for panhandlers and professional beggars known as the 'Bowery Bums'. Many of his patrons "preyed upon the public by simulating cripples." Bohan, according to crime historian Herbert Asbury, provided a locker for storing crutches and canes while these panhandlers spent their money on whiskey, rum and liquified camphor. The establishment also served as a hotel where, against the rear wall of the building, two long tables and the space underneath were rented for a nickel. Among its most famous residents were Tom Frizzell, known as "King of the Panhandlers", and Jack Dempsey. Bohan himself is described as living somewhat extravagantly wearing "flashing diamonds on his shirt bosom". On the morning of July 25, 1904, an argument between Bohan and his bartender Jerry O'Connor resulted in a vicious barfight involving at least eleven other customers. The incident began when the two began arguing over O'Connor's wages for the week and, becoming more heated, O'Connor pulled out a revolver and shot Bohan twice. One shot hit Bohan in the right side of the head and a second one to the left hand. The bar was filled with customers at the time, all of whom were friends of Bohan, and they immediately set upon O'Connor.…

Key claims

1. date of death: 1931-01-08 — source: Wikipedia · confidence 0.95

Discussion questions

1. Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
2. The record states that the date of death is "1931-01-08". What evidence would count against this claim?
3. Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
4. If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?

Bibliography

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