Hoodlums and Hooligans

It's been said that in Kerry Patch the Irish mob was tougher and more ruthless than anything that their Italian counterparts could muster.

The Great Depression began in the early 1930's. Many companies in St. Louis at the time, had signs at their entrance saying "HELP WANTED -- NO IRISH NEED APPLY"for work. So it’s understandable why many young Irish lads turned to the mob in order to squeeze out a living.

The Irish that ran the north side of St. Louis and all of Kerry Patch for many years did so from the brick layer's union. Almost the entire city of St. Louis, buildings and streets were built with bricks. Two of the main principal politicians were Tony Denny and Matt O'Neal. Matt was the committeeman for the 27th ward and controlled the jobs that everyone wanted and needed. Tony Deny was the Recorder of Deeds of St. Louis.

But the Irish from Kerry Patch and another area, centered around the intersection of present-day Hampton and Manchester, then called Cheltenham and now known as Dogtown were not only hoodlums and hooligans. Many played significant roles in the development of area businesses, hospitals, schools, the Catholic Church, and even the game of soccer.