Bernard Friery

Bernard "Barney" Friery (February 1843 or 1844 – August 17, 1866) was a New York City criminal and independent gang leader during the 1850s and 1860s.

Along with five or six others, he entered the East Houston Street saloon of Henry Lazarus on the morning of January 3, 1865.

One of the men, California Jack, offered a wager of $100 challenging anyone in the bar to a fight with one of the gang members.

Friery then walked toward Lazarus offering to shake his hand and, when he refused, stabbed the saloon owner in the throat with a dirk, killing him instantly.

Arrested soon after, he appeared before Judge Abraham D. Russell at the Court of General Sessions and convicted of first degree murder on February 17, 1865.