Vintage Photos, Genealogy & Crime Stories
A quarrel over a woman ended last night in the slaying of an escaped convict by one of his three pals and the wounding and capture of the other three men by the police following a pistol battle. — The St. Louis Star and Times (St. Louis, Missouri), July 7, 1931 It started out as … Continue reading The Argument
Old-fashioned terms for crime can be confusing. When Lillie Bates was arrested in New York City on June 17, 1909, the officers listed her crime as simply “Badger.” Did that mean she was caught mistreating a short-legged, furry, mammal that hunts at night? No. It meant she was involved in a criminal enterprise referred to … Continue reading The Badger Game
Large amounts of money have been found cleverly concealed about the persons of J. J. Kellogg and J. MacDonald, held here for questioning. The men were arrested Wednesday as suspicious characters. — The Daily Times (Davenport, Iowa), October 12, 1931 Nothing says “crook” quite like cash concealed in your clothing. One man had $1400* ($23,172) … Continue reading Gambling with Gangsters
Captured and Exposed 