Vintage Photos, Genealogy & Crime Stories
Naturally before writing my biography of nineteenth century conwoman, Sophie Lyons, I researched her life extensively. I was successful in tracing the lives of her various husbands and children. But one notable exception to my success was Sophie’s third daughter, Charlotte Lyons, known as Lotta Belmont. Born 1875 in Montreal, Canada, Lotta arrived during a … Continue reading A Granddaughter in Vienna
I don’t usually collect crime scene photos, but this image caught my eye. It captured the aftermath of sudden death in such an unabashedly voyeuristic way. The photo demands an explanation, but there’s nothing except the name “W. J. Trotter” and the word “murder” typed on the back. That’s it. The photographer who provided this … Continue reading Upcoming
Recently Erik Rivenes interviewed me for Most Notorious!, his true crime history podcast. I was pleased to talk to him about the life and crimes of one of my favorite crooks—Sophie Lyons. Erik does several true crime podcasts and does a great job as an interviewer! He's also an author, writing about true crime history … Continue reading Most Notorious!
They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but I don't believe it. I think stealing someone else's stuff is just plain lazy. It's also against the law. In August 2017 I published a blog post about Leona and Pearl O'Loughlin. Troy Taylor copied a section of my post and put it in his … Continue reading Stealing Stuff
Last month I presented a talk about Sophie Lyons with fellow author, Denise Testa, at the Oak Park (Illinois) Library. It's now available online. Please check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qottTc_Lx-0
Please join me and fellow author, Denise Testa, for our discussion of three women who stood on opposite sides of the law: Jessie Levy and Bess Robbins, who defended six members of the infamous John Dillinger gang in the early 1930s, and Sophie Lyons, who was one of the most notorious female criminals of the … Continue reading Women on Opposite Sides of the Law
Before there were mugshots there were rogues' gallery photos. If you're interested in the history of police and prison photography during the 19th century, you're in luck! I'm giving a Zoom talk on the subject this coming Saturday, October 10, 2020 at 1:30 PM EST. The talk will be recorded, so if you have plans … Continue reading Photographing the Rogues: The Police and 19th Century Photography
The burglaries started in November 1931. Witnesses described the culprit as a well-built man with thick blond hair. He was in his early twenties and about 5 feet 10 inches tall. The homes he robbed were all in St. Louis, Missouri. The bizarre thing was that he removed his clothing before breaking in. Stripped down … Continue reading The Shorts Burglar
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
New York, Oct 11 — A trim young policewoman proved to be more than a match yesterday for a husky mugger, making up in know-how and spirit what she lacked in size and strength. Repeated reports of women being molested at a subway station in the financial district, which is lonely and nearly deserted … Continue reading The Subway Sting
The crimes were minor. Each was found guilty. They got small fines and brief or suspended sentences. Alcohol was a factor in four of the five cases and the other involved a petty theft. One may have gotten into a scuffle before she arrived at the police station. They ranged from young (19) to middle-aged … Continue reading Arrested in Fort Wayne
At 11:15 a.m. the prisoner, William Collon of 406 East 142d Street, the Bronx, was being led up a staircase from the detention pen by Patrolman Michael Murphy. The staircase leads into the courtroom, about fifteen feet from the bench. The landing is flanked on all sides by iron-grated doors. As the prisoner reached the … Continue reading Stray Bullets
Captured and Exposed 