This classic photograph of Mulberry Street from 1900 (photographer unknown) provides a glimpse of life among the neighborhood’s pushcart peddlers. A few brief stories from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle about Mulberry Street from that era further explain lives of the area’s residents.
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“Monkeys in Court” (June 25, 1889): “Francis Samboni and Angelo Antonio, of 150 Mulberry street, New York, and their respective monkeys, Jacko and Jackino, were arrested this morning and taken before Justice Goetting on a charge of not being licensed. The monkeys, imitating their masters, deferentially doffed their plumed caps in the presence of the justice and chattered something which they only understood themselves. The justice fined the men $1 each.”
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“Poured Hot Syrup on Him” (August 2, 1890): “Two Italians–John Loui of 940 Mulberry street, New York, and Rocco Passo, of 55 Baxter street, New York, had a fight at 10:30 o’clock this morning in front of 971 Mulberry street, when Loui seized a large dipper full of hot syrup and struck Passo on the head with it. Passo was badly burned and was attended to by Dr. Shea of St. Vincent’s hospital. Loui was locked up in the Prince street police station.”
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“The Fruit Vendor Murder” (July 24, 1894): “Francesco Antonio Colluchio, 25, years old, of 116 Mulberry street, the murderer of Giuseppe Tamasco, a fruit vendor of 114 Mulberry street, New York, was taken before Justice Ryan in the Tombs police court this morning and held without bail. Colluchio quarreled with Tamasco in front of 114 Mulberry street at 6 o’clock last night over two bananas which Colluchio had bought from a vendor for 1 cent.
There was a difference in the quality of the fruit and Tamasco refused to exchange it or refund the money. The two men began to struggle on the walk. In the fight Colluchio drew a stiletto and stabbed the vendor in the heart killing him instantly.”
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“The Music Knocked Him Out” (March 23, 1888): “Michaelo Petrie, an Italian organ grinder of 115 Mulberry street, New York, was overcome by emotion while reeling off ‘Stick to Your Mother, Tom,’ in front of H.C. Atwood’s dry goods store at 1,197 Broadway, this city, last night, and fell through a plate glass window. He was cut in several places but was able to go home.”
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“Suspicious Character” (February 7, 1885): “Michael McNulty, of Mulberry street, New York, was before Justice Massey this morning, charged with being a suspicious character.”