An oft-cited illustration of the ferocity of the 1949 election that ousted the Hague regime from Jersey City is the statement that a Hague man killed a supporter of J. V. Kenny. This is true without being truthful.
Gene Kenny (a WWII combat veteran not related to JVK) had backed Hague’s nephew Eggers’ run for Mayor of Jersey City. The powerful (physically and politically) Buddy Boyle (Gene Kenny’s cousin) was a prominent J. V. Kenny lieutenant.
A year after the election, Gene Kenny was drinking in the bar located downstairs from his apartment at 19 Erie Street in Jersey City. Buddy Boyle entered the saloon and, still angry at his cousin’s perceived betrayal by serving the enemy camp, hit Gene Kenny. The blow struck with such force that Gene went flying over the bar. Confused from the surprise, hitting his head and — no doubt — the day’s drinking, Gene Kenny’s mind flashed back to fighting in the trenches. As luck would not have it, the tavern owner had a gun under the bar just in front of where Gene fell. Gene Kenny grabbed the gun and then fatally shot Buddy Boyle.
Hi Anthony,
I am assuming this is your article. With all the excitement over the HBO series Boardwalk Empire I decided to look up some info on Mayor Hague. It brought be to a site about Boyle’s 30 acres and included an entry about my uncle Andrew Boyle (a small entry at best). However, the Boyles were a very colorful family. Your article seems to show that.
My cousin, John Boyle, Andy’s son, died in the Korean War.
Lorraine
Hi Anthony,
I am assuming this is your article. With all the excitement over the HBO series Boardwalk Empire I decided to look up some info on Mayor Hague. It brought me to a site about Boyle’s 30 acres and included an entry about my uncle Andrew Boyle (a small entry at best). However, the Boyles were a very colorful family. Your article seems to show that.
My cousin, John Boyle, Andy’s son, died in the Korean War.
Lorraine