The Molasses Gang "The gang was not taken very seriously among the other gangs of the period. By 1877 most of the gang had been arrested."[1] [1[ Herbert Asbury (1928). The Gangs of New York. Alfred A. Knopf. ISBN 1-56025-275-8.
The speaker is Stephen Puleo, Author of "Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919" (NOTE: Video runs for 57 minutes) The author covers the Saga of the Flood: It was built in 1905 and the last lawsuit was settled in 1925. And he covers the historical context of the Flood in what was happening in the World. He uses real life characters to narrate this work of non fiction. The tank was owned by one of the largest corporations who produced alcohol, who needed the tank quickly....and close to the waterfront to unload molasses from ships and also close to the rails, to load tanker cars to haul the product to the distilleries. It was built close to a large Italian Immigrant population, who not being citizens had no say, or clout in the matter. City politicians turned a blind eye. WWI was also happening. He studied the transcripts of the trials and lawsuits and gives an amazing amount of detail in his book and in his talk.
5 Blackstrap Molasses Benefits 1. Diabetes-Friendly Sweetener If you have diabetes and a sweet tooth, you have a bit of a conundrum. While blackstrap molasses is derived from sugar and adds as many carbohydrates as other sugars, it may be digested more slowly, which may help stabilize blood sugar. You can use blackstrap molasses in baking sweet treats. It’s what gives gingerbread cookies their distinctive rich flavor. 2. Bone Booster Everyone knows that calcium is needed for strong bones, but not everyone knows the importance that magnesium plays in growing them. Blackstrap molasses contains both calcium and magnesium, so it can help you guard against osteoporosis. About 5 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses contains 50 percent of the recommended daily allowance of calcium, 95 percent of iron, and 38 percent of magnesium. Adequate levels of magnesium are also crucial in preventing diseases like osteoporosis and asthma along with others that can affect your blood and heart. 3. Good for the Blood People with anemia — a condition where your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells — often feel tired and weak. One type of anemia is caused by a lack of iron in the diet. Blackstrap molasses is a good source of iron. About 5 tablespoons of blackstrap molasses contains 95 percent of your daily allowance of iron. Besides adding it into recipes, you can add it to hot water and drink warm or cold as a dietary supplement. 4. Packed with Potassium Bananas may be king when it comes to potassium, but blackstrap molasses is also packed with the stuff. Try mixing blackstrap molasses in with baked beans, or even use it as a basting glaze on chicken, turkey, or other meats. A spoonful straight can also give you a quick boost. 5. Hair De-Frizzer Along with providing your body with important minerals, blackstrap molasses has been used to remove the frizziness in bleached, permed, or colored hair. While pouring the sticky syrup directly into your hair is a pretty bad idea, it can be mixed with warm water and applied to the hair for 15 minutes. It can also be combined with other hair-healthy ingredients like your daily shampoo or coconut milk.
The Great Boston Molasses Flood Stephen Puleo, author of "Dark Tide," gives a guided tour of one of Boston's most infamous disaster sites - the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. The tragic event claimed 21 lives and leveled a vast swath of the city's North End neighborhood.
Making Molasses This fellow at the Museum of Appalachia's Homecoming was apparently very experienced, because he always remembered to duck when the mule brought the pole came around.