John "Old Smoke" Morrissey: America's First Mob Boss

In the fourth episode of "An Offer You Can't Refuse," Pettengill explores the role John Morrissey played in the establishment of a criminal syndicate in New York City in the Gilded Age. Working closely with ward bosses, such as the infamous William "Boss" Tweed, Morrissey became an integral part of the Tammany Hall machine. Morrissey, a former bare-knuckle prize fighter, demonstrated a talent for turning out voters on election day. For his troubles, Morrissey was rewarded with political leeway to operate his "businesses" without fear of interference from city officials. Moreover, he was also able to offer protection for other likeminded individuals who operated in the city's underworld economy. In this way, Morrissey laid the foundation for future crime bosses in American history.