Editing Madden Gang (section)

==George “Big Frenchy” Jeandemange==
Madden's close associate known as “Frenchy” was '''George Emile Jeandemange''' (1892–1939), whose surname was frequently shortened to '''DeMange''' or '''Demange'''. His 1939 obituary called him George Jean “Big Frenchy” De Mange, a liquor racketeer and nightclub owner, and a former partner of Madden.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1939/09/22/archives/de-mange-is-buried-amid-dry-era-pomp-pals-of-liquor-racketeer-pay.html “De Mange Is Buried Amid Dry Era Pomp”], ''The New York Times'', September 22, 1939.</ref> The legal-name form George Emile Jeandemange is supported by a birth-certificate reconstruction; George Jean DeMange is the common published form.<ref name="Hunt">Tom Hunt, [https://mobhistory.substack.com/p/more-on-owneys-pal-jeandemange “More on Owney's Pal Jeandemange: ‘Big Frenchy’ Was a Memorable New York Gangland Figure”], ''MobHistory'', May 9, 2025.</ref>

Funderburg describes Madden and DeMange as partners who teamed up in the liquor trade and jointly built a profitable speakeasy business. DeMange preferred a backstage role and seldom appeared in the press.<ref name="Funderburg" /> Available strong sources therefore support calling Frenchy Madden's '''business partner'''; they do not establish the formal rank “second-in-command.” James Haskins's later history says DeMange became secretary of the corporation operating the Cotton Club, but surviving documentation of his exact ownership interest remains uncertain.<ref>James Haskins, [https://ufl.pb.unizin.org/cottonclub/chapter/chapter-2-the-cotton-club/ ''The Cotton Club''], chapter 2 (New York: Random House, 1977; University of Florida digital edition).</ref><ref name="Hunt" />

Jeandemange already had independent liquor connections before Madden left prison. He was indicted in 1922 in an illicit-liquor case involving Emanuel “Mannie” Kessler and suspended Prohibition agents. Vincent Coll's gang abducted Big Frenchy in June 1931; later accounts say Madden paid a substantial ransom for his release.<ref name="Hunt" />