Johnny Camphine

Johnny Camphine
Nationality	American
Other names	Johnny Camphene
Occupation	Saloon keeper
Known for	New York saloon keeper and underworld figure during the mid-to late 19th century.

Johnny Camphine or Camphene (fl. 1860  – 1890) was the pseudonym of an American saloon keeper and underworld figure in New York City during the mid-to late 19th century. He was reputed to have run "one of the most notorious dives in the city", located at Mercer and Houston Streets,^[1] and whose name came from his serving colored camphine or rectified turpentine oil in place of whiskey; the latter was in use during the 19th century as a solvent for varnishes and as a fuel for lamps. On average, "two men a night were taken out of the place" after drinking Camphine's beverages and caused known cases of insanity and delirium tremens at least 100 patrons over a long-term period.^[2][3]

References

1. Asbury, Herbert (1927-12-17). "When New York Was Really Wicked; III -- Downtown Dives.". The New Yorker. NewYorker.com. p. 29. Retrieved 12 September 2009.
2. Asbury, Herbert. The Gangs of New York: An Informal History of the New York Underworld. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1928. (pg. 174-175) ISBN 1-56025-275-8
3. Sante, Luc. Low Life: Lures and Snares of Old New York. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2003. (pg. 113) ISBN 0-374-52899-3