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Why Rochester, New York Butchers Were Slaughtered In Revenge One Night 100 Years Ago
Harry Gordon, “The Mad Butcher,” went on a bloody rampage of retribution
The job of butchers is macabre work, carving up meat to prepare for kitchens around their respective communities. It’s a long-standing and respected profession, but not always one that avoids danger. In 1927, a man who had been driven out of the trade took revenge in Rochester, New York by going on a rampage that killed or wounded four butchers.
On the evening of February 11, 1927, 34-year-old Harry Gordon snapped. Formerly a butcher in the Rochester area, he believed he had been unfairly forced out of his work by rivals in the same trade because of disagreements and violent clashes they had had in the past.
Armed with two pistols, Gordon first went to the apartment of Harry Katz, who was preparing to go out on a date. The agitated Gordon forced his way through the door and fired three shots into the surprised victim, killing him almost instantly.
Driving away from the scene of the murder, Gordon next went to the butcher shop of Sam Toltz. There, a similar scene ensued, as Toltz was on the receiving end of eight bullets. As he lay dying, customers and employees of the shop fled in panic.
