Patrick Bohan

Who is Patrick Bohan?

Patrick "Burly" Bohan was an American saloonkeeper and owner of The Doctor's, a popular Park Row dive bar and hangout for panhandlers and professional beggars known as the "Bowery Bums". Many of his patrons "preyed upon the public by simulating cripples" and 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.