Michael j. Spillane

Mickey Spillane the gentleman gangster

Mickey Spillane (1959-1979)- Mickey Spillane inherited the rackets that McGrath left behind. Spillane also inherited an alliance with the city's La Cosa Nostra that dated back to Owney Madden. By 1960, LCN had overpowered the Irish mobs everywhere, including Hell's Kitchen. Spillane was allowed to operate within his neighborhood but not without the Italians getting a cut of the profit. Spillane didn't like the Italians muscling in on his territory so he would often kidnap LCN figures and hold them for ransom. He controlled the numbers racket in HK. He also owned most of the gambling dens in HK and about a half-dozen night clubs. He was also a man of influence in his community. In 1966, a tough young Irish punk challenged Mickey for control of HK. His name was Jimmy Coonan. Killings and kidnappings were to follow. It ended when Coonan was sent to prison for murder until 1970. Spillane was still boss when Coonan was released. War didn't break out but by 1977 Spillane was a shadow of his former self. With the death of top enforcers, Tom Devaney (July 20, 1976), Eddie Cummiskey (August 20, 1976) and Tom "The Greek" Kapatos (January 27, 1977), Mickey had lost all the power he had. "Fat Tony" Salerno had ordered the hits because he wanted the soon-to-be built Jacob Javits Convention Center, which was in Mickey's neighborhood. Spillane's rackets were also being eaten up by Jimmy Coonan's new breed of Irish mobsters. Mickey Spillane was killed May 13, 1977. It was said Roy DeMeo's crew took the job and Coonan knew nothing about it. Jimmy Coonan would be the next ruler of Hell's Kitchen.