Vintage Photos, Genealogy & Crime Stories
In my previous post I discussed an 1890s era mugshot in which two photographs were taken of the same man and combined to create a composite photo. I couldn't find out much about the man in the photos, however one thing is certain: he cooperated with having his photo taken. That was not always the … Continue reading The Struggle
Antonio Lanasa received a threatening letter in August 1906. A black cross with the inscription “Everlasting Death” was crudely drawn in ink at the top of the page. Below the cross was written: “We of the Black Hand advise you once more and no more, because we have waited too long and don’t intend to … Continue reading Black Hand in Baltimore
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
A Montana-born woman, 34-year-old Mae Kavanaugh, was convicted of writing "fictitious checks" and sent to San Quentin State Prison, the infamous northern California prison, on March 25, 1918, to serve a two year term. Eight years earlier, in 1910, Mae and a male accomplice, H. S. Farnsworth, lured a man to their rented Santa Cruz … Continue reading Give Him Up
Captured and Exposed 