Editing Gopher Gang (section)

==Organization and territory==
Asbury described the Gophers as a turbulent association whose leaders rarely retained authority for long. He placed their territory from Seventh to Eleventh avenues and from West 14th to West 42nd streets, and estimated that they could mobilize no more than 500 men. A favored meeting place was Mallet Murphy's saloon on “Battle Row,” West 39th Street between Tenth and Eleventh avenues.<ref name="Asbury" />

Asbury attributed the gang's name to members hiding in basements and cellars. Because that explanation appeared in a colorful retrospective history published in 1928, it is best treated as a traditional account rather than a proven contemporary origin story. The Parlor Mob, Gorillas and Rhodes Gang were smaller Hell's Kitchen crews described as owing allegiance to the Gophers. Asbury also identified the Hudson Dusters as allies—not rivals—and described the Battle Row Ladies' Social and Athletic Club, popularly called the Lady Gophers, as a supporting women's organization.<ref name="Asbury" />