In the early 1800s Irish men and women, by the thousands, escaped the deepening poverty and hopelessness of their homeland. America offered prosperity and hope, and twelve-year-old John Gilmore made the lonely, treacherous ocean crossing to the new country. Aboard ship two older boys beat him mercilessly and a horrific storm nearly ended his search for a better life. New York City's 'Hell Hole", Five Points, the Irish enclave, proved to be more...