Murder in all ages; being a history of homicide from the earliest times, with the most celebrated murder cases faithfully reported

Chapter I.—introduction

Many theories as to the origin of evil—Their discussion unprofit¬ able—Virtue and vice contending forces—All conscious of this inward conflict—The question of heredity—Demoralizing effects of many stories of crime—All fiction not of this class— Aim of the author—Plan of the present volume—Use of ficti¬ tious illustrations—Aristotle’s views of fiction—Crime dimin¬ ishing—Objections to this view considered—Reasons why increase of crime is only apparent—A brighter era dawning.

Chapter Ii.—the Homicidal Impulse

Enormity of the crime of murder—Noble acts of self-sacrifice— Contrast of virtue and vice—How to completely suppress crime —The first murder—Cain’s motives and provocations—First instance of homicidal, impulse—Milton’s account of the first murder—Defenders of Cain: Lord Byron—The world growing better—Does the homicidal impulse exist?—First inquiry of the detective: the murderer’s motive—Absence of reasonable motives in many cases—Impulse to kill probably universal— Cain influenced by it—Scriptural authority supporting impulse theory—Disposition to take life manifest in children—Men delight in taking animal life—Instance of Tiberius Caesar— Nero placated the people by pandering to this impulse—Uni¬ versal interest in murder stories—Horrible accidents repel instead of attracting—Morbid mind of Edgar Allen Poe—Poe’s Murrella; a good instance of homicidal impulse—Cases of Booth and Lincoln, Guiteau and Garfield—“Jack the Ripper’’ and the “Nick of the Woods”—Self-justification of crime: Manfred —Malthus on “Overpopulation”—Aim of the work—Satirical criticisms on Malthus seriously taken—Evil effects of these works.

IV

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Chapter Iii.—a Curious Instance Of The Homi¬ Cidal Impulse.. 27

A strange story of crime—Murder of Jacques Moulin—Absence of all apparent motives—The old man with the wooden leg—His very plausible story—Murder of Auguste Vivier—A third death: the wooden-legged man again—A French police examination sixty-five years ago—Armande Geraud and his volume of Malthus—The English maid and the Prussian valet—Execution of an innocent man—Attempted assassination of Mrs. Stuart—

The wooden-legged philosopher again—Armande Geraud arrested: a second fruitless examination—A mysterious meet¬ ing at Wittenberg—Strange murder in a cafd—Arrest of the tall stranger—Gottlieb Rinhalter, alias Armande Grimm— The secret of the wooden leg—History of the murderer’s life—A true disciple of Malthus—Plan of the Wittenberg murder—Awful crimes committed by Croc—He experiences qualms of conscience—His opinions of great men and noted murderers—His attempt to murder his benefactress—Hoist with his own petard—Croc a victim of the homicidal impulse.

Chapter Iv.—motives For Homicide—revenge: Nu¬ Merous Cases... 43

Scope and plan of present work—Principal motives for homicide— Egotism, or the love of self—Revenge a fruitful cause of mur¬ der—Maximilian Wyndham, an instance of revenge—History of Maximilian’s father—His death due to persecution—Fearful scourging of Maximilian’s mother: her death—Sad fate of his sisters—Maximilian’s vow of vengeance—The first blow struck —Many undetected murders—Wyndham’s plan of vengeance— Assassination of the executioner—Methods of the band of avengers—Crucifixion of the jailer—Maximilian secretly marries —Murder of his wife’s grandfather—Maximilian’s wife dies and he commits suicide—Extract from his remarkable con¬ fession—Hatred of vice an encouraging sign—Suggestion from a detective’s standpoint—Beatrice Cenci, the “Beautiful Par¬ ricide”—Conflicting accounts of the celebrated murder—Not the wronged and beautiful woman she has been represented— Atrocious case of Thomas Simmons—An instance of revenge and the homicidal impulse—The author’s experience—Murder not the usual end of revenge—William Farmery, the matricide —The murder of Rose Weldon, a Chicago case—Killed because she procured a divorce from a bigamist—A case of mistaken clemency.

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Chapter V. — Cupidity — Lacen Aire — The ‘ ‘three Italians”. 65

The right of property a paramount one—Cupidity the cause of most crimes—Murder usually the result of mixed motives—Awful prevalence of homicide in the past—The vicious as well as the virtuous associate together—“Honor among thieves,” a fallacy —Chardon, the impostor—An awful double-murder—Police examinations in France—A plan to murder for gain—A crim¬ inal partnership and a trap—Assault on the bank-clerk—Arrest of the murderers through lack of “honor”—Lacenaire in prison: poses as philosopher and poet—Sensational murder trials always attractive—Lacenaire’s reasons for denouncing his accomplices—Lacenaire’s last adieu—Awful death of the poetassassin—Lacenaire a victim of the homicidal impulse—Case of the “Three Italians”—The awful crime discovered—A remarkable identification—The murderers’ confession, their trial and execution.

Chapter Vi.—circumstantial Evidence—several Cases... 82

Bad results of undetected murders—Case narrated by Edgar Allen Poe—A murder without an apparent clue—Logical methods of the amateur detective—Story of the crime—A genuine detective —Methods of Sherlock Holmes—The author’s experience—The Bradford-Hayes case—A conviction on purely circumstantial evidence—Bradford technically innocent—Comparison with the Probst case—Remarkable case of William Shaw—Trial and execution of Shaw—Letter of Catherine Shaw—Reparation to Shaw’s memory—Circumstantial evidence generally reliable— Experience of the author—The Latimer case: a most atrocious murder—Arrival and peculiar bearing of young Latimer— Damaging circumstantial evidence against him—His conduct in Detroit—Sentenced to life-imprisonment—Murders a turn¬ key and escapes from the penitentiary—His recapture—The crime not strictly matricide—Latimer an instance of inherited criminality.

Chapter Vii.—the Webster-parkman Case—circum¬ Stantial Evidence. 102

Mysterious disappearance of Dr. George Parkman—Dr. Webster’s statement—Opinions of experts—Discovery of human remains by the college janitor—Trial of Dr. Webster—Prominence of parties excites great interest—Remarkable array of circum¬ stantial evidence—Convincing evidence of the false teeth—

VI

PAGE

Unusual actions of Dr. Webster—An attempt at suicide—The doctor confronted with the remains—Similarity of Webster case with that of Eugene Aram—Webster’s misleading letters to the authorities—Testimony as to the good character of Dr. Webster—Attack made upon circumstantial evidence—Dr. Webster addresses the jury—The condemned man solemnly as¬ serts his innocence—In a petition for clemency he makes a full confession—Circumstantial account of the last interview—The fatal blow struck in a moment of blind rage—The disposition of the body—He acknowledges the justice of his sentence—

The motive of the crime—May have been a deliberate murder.

Chapter Viii.—two Atrocious Murder Cases. 116

The famous Dearing case—The Dearing family—The arrival of Anton Probst—Discovery of the massacre—A murder that shocked the world—Movements of Probst: his arrest—Trial of Anton Probst—Only circumstantial evidence introduced— Career of Probst in this country—Probst’s conviction—His con¬ fession in detail—Execution of the murderer—Cupidity clearly the only motive—The homicidal impulse strong in Probst— Probst an instance of extreme depravity—The homicidal impulse a dangerous possession—The Druse case—A tell-tale cloud of smoke—Arrest of mother and daughter—The daugh¬ ter’s story of the crime—Disposition of the remains—The two convicted: the mother hanged—A case of inherited criminality and homicidal impulse.

Chapter IX. — Cupidity — “burking” — Preller-max- Well Case. 135

Origin of term “Burking”—Mysterious disappearance of poor per¬ sons—“Daft Jamie” and Mary Campbell—Scarcity of “sub¬ jects” for dissection—Burke and his accomplice arrested— Burke’s death-trap—Story told by the Grays—The noted trial begun—Hare’s story of the crime—Murder on a wholesale basis—Mrs. McDougal driven from Edinburgh—Release of Hare: his disappearance—Burke’s confession: revolting dis¬ closures—Execution of Burke—Burking in London—Bishop and Williams—Their execution: public excitement—An Act of Parliament results from Burking—Preller-Maxwell case—Dis¬ appearance of Preller—Discovery of his remains in a trunk— Maxwell arrested in New Zealand—The prisoner denies his identity—His careless manner after the murder—Trial of Max¬ well—His testimony: an ingenious story—Similarity to the Webster-Parkman case—Experience of the author—Conviction and execution of Maxwell—Motive for the crime.

vii

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Chapter X.—eugene Aram. 149

A celebrated case—One weakness of historical novels—Sketch of Aram’s life—Aram’s two strange acquaintances—Remarkable scheme of Aram and Houseman—Clarke falls into the trap— Mysterious disappearance of Clarke—Aram acquitted of swin¬ dling: his subsequent movements—His crime seemingly safe from detection—Arrest of Houseman—His incriminating remark—Bones of Clarke discovered—Confession of Houseman —Arrest and trial of Aram—His remarkable speech in his own defense—He urges his own good character—Denies that the bones were those of Clarke—Shows that human bones were often found in Yorkshire—Strongly attacks Houseman’s testi¬ mony—Cites instances of wrongful convictions—Pronounced effect of Aram’s speech—Remarkable charge of the judge to the jury—Aram convicted and sentenced to death—He attempts to take his own life—His defense of suicide—Aram’s written confession—His two writings contrasted—“The Dream of Eugene Aram.”

Chapter Xi.—judicial Murder.. 171

This crime a rare one—Judicial murders during the “Reign of Terror”—The Popish Plot—Bitter religious prejudices of the time—The political situation—Titus Oates: he invents the Popish Plot—Murder of Sir Edmondsbury Godfrey—Oates supported by other perjurers—Wholesale judicial murders— Trial of Oates for perjury—His terrible punishment—Released from prison and pensioned—Judge George Jeffreys—His in¬ famous character—Jeffreys becomes the tool of James II.— Judicial murder of Algernon Sidney—Defeat and execution of Monmouth—Fearful murders of Colonel Percy Kirke—The “Bloody Assizes”—The first victim: Lady Alice Lisle—Seventy-four hanged in Dorsetshire—Bloody harvest in Somersetshire

_Methods of the chief-justice—Fate of Abraham Holmes, the

zealot—Christopher Battiscombe — The Hewling brothers— Extent of Jeffreys’ crimes—Hundreds transported as slaves— Honors for Jeffreys—His miserable end.

Chapter Xii.—assassination. 194

A most detestable crime—Saul’s assassination of Abner—His slay¬ ing of Absalom—Judith decapitates Holofernes—Assassination a most common crime—Thomas a Becket: his romantic his¬ tory— Becket brave and dissolute in his youth—Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury—Becket changes the whole course of his life—Quarrel of Becket and Henry II.—The Archbishop assassinated in Canterbury Cathedral—Catherine de Medici: a depraved woman—Her remarkable duplicity—Catherine favors the Huguenots—As regent, she rules France and corrupts her son—She plans the massacre of St. Bartholomew’s day—Assas¬ sination of Admiral Coligny—The most awful massacre in history—Details of the horrible event—The civilized world horrified—Catherine said to have poisoned her son—Assassina¬ tion of the Duke of Guise—Assassination of Henry III.— Ravaillac kills Henry IV.—Terrible death of the regicide.

CHAPTER XIII.—ASSASSINATION (Continued). 211

Character of William of Orange—Enormous sum offered for his assassination—First attempt upon the prince’s life—Second unsuccessful attempt—Three more efforts made—Assassination of the Prince of Orange—Awful punishment of the assassin— Attempt upon the life of Napoleon Bonaparte—Damiens stabs Louis Philippe—Infernal machine of Fieschi—Charlotte Corday —She kills Murat—Her heroic death—Romantic death of Adam Lux—Attempted assassination of Louis Napoleon—Assassina¬ tion of President Carnot—Macari fires upon Alfonso of Spain —King John of England an assassin—He poisons “Maud the Fair”—His cruel murder of Prince Arthur—Attempt to kill George III. of England—First attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria—Other attempts upon her life—Plan to murder Sir Robert Peel—Assassination of Paul of Russia—Numerous attempts to kill Alexander II.—Killed at last by a bomb— William I. of Germany fired upon by an anarchist—Assaulted by Dr. Nobling, who commits suicide.

Chapter Xiv.—assassination In America —the Mafia. 233

Assassination of Abraham Lincoln—Lincoln’s death not planned by Southern leaders—Movements of Lincoln on the fatal day— Booth shoots the President—Attempt upon the life of Wil¬ liam H. Seward—Flight and subsequent death of Booth—Trial of the conspirators: three executed—Trial of John H. Surratt —Assassination of James A. Garfield—Remarkable letter found upon Guiteau—Statement of Attorney Corkhill—Death of President Garfield—Trial and execution of Guiteau—Causes of the crime—Assassination of Carter H. Harrison—Similarity between Prendergast and Guiteau—Natural advantages of Sicily: a hotbed of crime—Assassination common in Sicily—

The Mafia: murderous acts of the society—Denied that it is a complete organization — The modern Bravos—They terrorize society—The Malini and the Pasa—Objects of Mafia generally ix

PAGE

accomplished by intrigues—Difficulty of convicting criminals in Sicily—Shooting of Italian murderers in New Orleans— Statement of St. John Brenon—His account of the Mafia.

Chapter Xv.—the Assassins. 252

Growth and character of Islam—Cause of its decline—The Ismaelites—Hassan-ben-Sabbeh organizes the Assassins—Plan of the organization—Code of introduction—Ambition of Hassan-ben- Sabbeh—Systematic assassination begun—A terrible revenge —Death of Hassan-ben-Sabbeh—Methods of the Assassins: poison and the knife — Statement of Heckethorn — Rare fidelity of the Assassins—Fanaticism and clannishness the base of this—Origin of the term Assassin—Transported to Paradise: the Valley of Mulebad—Assassins commit suicide when ordered to do so—Vast power and extensive operations of the Assassins —Decline of the organization—A long list of rulers—Practical extinction of the society—The homicidal impulse strong in the Assassins—The world moving in the right direction.

Chapter Xvi.—the Thugs Of India.. 268

Religious debasement of India—Kalee, the goddess of destruction —The patroness of the Thugs—Thuggee a religion based on murder—Origin of the terms Thug and Strangler—Efforts to suppress thuggee—Statement of a British, officer—Modes of securing victims—Corruption of the young—Thugs trained from the cradle—Deception as a fine art—The Thugs arrant cowards—Methods of killing victims—Report of an English commission—Disposition of bodies by Thugs—Marked victims never allowed to escape—Simulated grief of the mourners— Organization of the Thugs—Aristocracy recognized by them— Their system of cabalistic signs—Division of plunder—Thuggee upon the water—Methods of the river-Thugs—The Sothas, or “confidence men”—Little known about the Thugs in India— How victims were killed on boats—Homicidal impulse the Thugs’ ruling passion—Kalee’s gifts to her votaries—The sacred pickaxe—An object of absolute reverence—Methods of educating the young—Initiation into the horrid order—Certain castes and classes exempted from murder—The Thugs’ rever¬ ence for the sacred cow—Superstitions of the Thugs adopted by Mohammedans.

Chapter Xvii.—secret Poisoners. 290

Great prevalence of secret poisoning—Poisoning in England— Poisoning among the ancient Romans—The infamous poisoner, Locusta—The Empress Agrippina a poisoner—Fate of

X

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Britannicus—The Greeks used poisons for executing criminals —The infamous Borgia family—Roderigo Borgia dies by his own poison—Lucretia Borgia a noted poisoner—Heironyma La Spara, poison-seller of Rome—Toffania of Naples and her “Acquetta”—Her wholesale operations—Fear of poison the origin of covered dishes—Madame Brinvilliers, noted poisoner of Paris—She learns the art from Sainte Croix—She kills her father and two brothers—She administers poison to her hus¬ band—Her lover saves him with antidotes—Sainte Croix dies while compounding poisons—He leaves a remarkable document —A detective flatters Madame Brinvilliers and arrests her— Conviction and execution of the parricide—Poisoning becomes an epidemic in France—Lavigoreaux and Lavoisin, two infa¬ mous poisoners—Their ingenious methods and horrible death— Several noble people implicated by Lavoisin—More than two hundred poisoners executed in two years—The poisoners of India—Methods of Indian poisoners—Revival of poisoning in England during the present century.

Chapter Xviii.—dueling. 308

Religious or superstitious notion underlying early dueling—Wager of battle—Recent appeal to wager of battle—Origin of wager of battle—Meeting of the Horatii and the Curiatii—Dueling originated in Germany—Dueling endorsed by many kings—

The practice becomes almost universal—The Christian Church opposes dueling—Henry II. of France opposes it—Religious quarrels stimulated dueling in France—Attitude of Cardinal Richelieu towards dueling—Firm stand of Louis XIV. against it—Dueling in England—Its prevalence during the reign of Charles II.—Duelist clubs in London—Meeting between Sir George Orton and Sir James Stewart—Howard-Sydney duel—

The Duke of Buckingham kills the Duke of Shrewsbury—Hyde Park, London, a noted “Field of Honor”—“The Ring” in Hyde Park—The Mohun-Hamilton affair, a double duel— Several famous duels fought in “The Ring”—Sheridan - Matthews affair—A duel under difficulties—Prevalence of dueling in England a century ago—Decline of dueling in Eng¬ land.

CHAPTER XIX.—DUELING (Continued)—NOTED AMERICAN

Dueling in Scotland—Account of a duel by Scott—Duel between Lochiel and Pellew—Dueling in Ireland—Many leading Irish¬ men duelists—Joseph II. of Germany discourages dueling—■.

xi

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Duels in German universities—Dueling in modern France— Noted French duelists—Peculiar duels of North American Indians—Mexican duels: sudden affrays—Fighting with knives in a dark room—Dueling on horseback—Dueling in the United States—North and South contrasted—Universal punishment of dueling—The Burr-Hamilton duel—Hamilton’s letter to Burr —Burr’s reply: their correspondence—The meeting: details of the duel—Death of Hamilton—His son killed in a duel—The Decatur-Barron duel—Story of the quarrel—The meeting: death of Decatur—Decatur’s career as a duelist—The Cilley- Graves duel—Action of the House of Representatives—Meeting between Andrew Jackson and Charles Dickinson—General Jackson’s great provocation—Details of the affair—The Broderick-Terry duel—Dueling well-nigh extinct.

Chapter Xx.—the Cronin Case. 345

A remarkable and complex case—It causes intense and widespread excitement—Outline of Dr. Cronin’s life—Strongly identified with the cause of Ireland—“The Triangle”—Cronin presses charges—Re-organization of the Clan-na-Gael—Dr. Cronin called to O’Sullivan’s—The police notified of his absence— Mysterious wagon seen by two policemen—Bloody trunk found in Lake View—Systematic search for the body—Suggestions that Cronin was a traitor—Frank Woodruff makes a so-called confession—Cronin’s enemies report that he is in Canada— Plan to blacken Cronin’s name—Dr. Cronin’s body found and identified—Discovery of cottage where Cronin was murdered —Story told by the Carlsons—Cottage rented by Frank Wil¬ liams—Furniture is moved in—Frank Williams writes Carlson —O’Sullivan connected with’ the plot—Tracing the furniture —Statement of William Mertes—Expressman who moved the furniture found—Police officer Daniel Coughlin implicated— Coughlin engages a horse and buggy—Coughlin tries to silence Dinan—His explanation to Captain Schaack—Arrest of Officer Coughlin—The mysterious Smith appears—Coughlin, O’Sulli¬ van and Whalen indicted—The coroner’s inquest—Alexander Sullivan investigated—Finding of the jury—Alexander Sulli¬ van arrested and released—Suspicion falls on Martin Burke— Identified through a photograph—Burke arrested at Winnipeg —Identified and brought to Chicago—Tin box containing Cronin’s clothing discovered—Indictment of the murderers— Investigation of Camp Twenty—The famous trial begins—Bold attempt to bribe the jury—Sensational testimony of Paulina Hoertel—Knives found upon Coughlin indentified as Cronin’s— Verdict of the jury—Juror Culver generally denounced—

X

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Britannicus—The Greeks used poisons for executing criminals —The infamous Borgia family—Roderigo Borgia dies by his own poison—Lucretia Borgia a noted poisoner—Heironyma La Spara, poison-seller of Rome—Toffania of Naples and her “Acquetta”—Her wholesale operations—Fear of poison the origin of covered dishes—Madame Brinvilliers, noted poisoner of Paris—She learns the art from Sainte Croix—She kills her father and two brothers—She administers poison to her hus¬ band—Her lover saves him with antidotes—Sainte Croix dies while compounding poisons—He leaves a remarkable document —A detective flatters Madame Brinvilliers and arrests her— Conviction and execution of the parricide—Poisoning becomes an epidemic in France—Lavigoreaux and Lavoisin, two infa¬ mous poisoners—Their ingenious methods and horrible death— Several noble people implicated by Lavoisin—More than two hundred poisoners executed in two years—The poisoners of India—Methods of Indian poisoners—Revival of poisoning in England during the present century.

CHAPTER XVIII.—DUELING. 308

Religious or superstitious notion underlying early dueling —Wager of battle—Recent appeal to wager of battle—Origin of wager of battle—Meeting of the Horatii and the Curiatii—Dueling originated in Germany—Dueling endorsed by many kings—

The practice becomes almost universal—The Christian Church opposes dueling—Henry II. of France opposes it—Religious quarrels stimulated dueling in France—Attitude of Cardinal Richelieu towards dueling—Firm stand of Louis XIV. against it—Dueling in England—Its prevalence during the reign of Charles II.—Duelist clubs in London—Meeting between Sir George Orton and Sir James Stewart—Howard-Sydney duel—

The Duke of Buckingham kills the Duke of Shrewsbury—Hyde Park, London, a noted “Field of Honor”—“The Ring” in Hyde Park—The Mohun-Hamilton affair, a double duel— Several famous duels fought in “The Ring”—Sheridan - Matthews affair—A duel under difficulties—Prevalence of dueling in England a century ago—Decline of dueling in Eng¬ land.

CHAPTER XIX.—DUELING (Continued)—NOTED AMERICAN DUELS... 225

Dueling in Scotland—Account of a duel by Scott—Duel between Lochiel and Pellew—Dueling in Ireland—Many leading Irish¬ men duelists—Joseph II. of Germany discourages dueling—< xi

PAGE

Duels in German universities—Dueling in modern France— Noted French duelists—Peculiar duels of North American Indians—Mexican duels: sudden affrays—Fighting with knives in a dark room—Dueling on horseback—Dueling in the United States—North and South contrasted—Universal punishment of dueling—The Burr-Hamilton duel—Hamilton’s letter to Burr —Burr’s reply: their correspondence—The meeting: details of the duel—Death of Hamilton—His son killed in a duel—The Decatur-Barron duel—Story of the quarrel—The meeting: death of Decatur—Decatur’s career as a duelist—The Cilley- Graves duel—Action of the House of Representatives—Meeting between Andrew Jackson and Charles Dickinson—General Jackson’s great provocation—Details of the affair—The Broderick-Terry duel—Dueling well-nigh extinct.

CHAPTER XX.—THE CRONIN CASE. 345

A remarkable and complex case—It causes intense and widespread excitement—Outline of Dr. Cronin’s life—Strongly identified with the cause of Ireland—“The Triangle”—Cronin presses charges—Re-organization of the Clan-na-Gael—Dr. Cronin called to O’Sullivan’s—The police notified of his absence— Mysterious wagon seen by two policemen—Bloody trunk found in Lake View—Systematic search for the body—Suggestions that Cronin was a traitor—Frank Woodruff makes a so-called confession—Cronin’s enemies report that he is in Canada— Plan to blacken Cronin’s name—Dr. Cronin’s body found and identified—Discovery of cottage where Cronin was murdered —Story told by the Carlsons—Cottage rented by Frank Wil¬ liams—Furniture is moved in—Frank Williams writes Carlson —O’Sullivan connected with] the plot—Tracing the furniture —Statement of William Mertes—Expressman who moved the furniture found—Police officer Daniel Coughlin implicated— Coughlin engages a horse and buggy—Coughlin tries to silence Dinan—His explanation to Captain Schaack—Arrest of Officer Coughlin—The mysterious Smith appears—Coughlin, O’Sulli¬ van and Whalen indicted—The coroner’s inquest—Alexander Sullivan investigated—Finding of the jury—Alexander Sulli¬ van arrested and released—Suspicion falls on Martin Burke— Identified through a photograph—Burke arrested at Winnipeg —Identified and brought to Chicago—Tin box containing Cronin’s clothing discovered—Indictment of the murderers— Investigation of Camp Twenty—The famous trial begins—Bold attempt to bribe the jury—Sensational testimony of Paulina Hoertel—Knives found upon Coughlin indentified as Cronin’s— Verdict of the jury—Juror Culver generally denounced—

Xll

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Coughlin secures a new trial—Death of Burke and O’Sullivan —Second trial of Coughlin—Coughlin seen to enter the cottage —Sensational testimony of Frank Bardeen—Coughlin walking behind wagon containing trunk—Strong testimony of Mrs. Lizzie Foy—Plot discussed in her house—Coughlin’s incrimi¬ nating statements—Promises Alexander Sullivan’s protection— Jury acquits Coughlin—A substantial failure of justice.

Chapter Xxi.—the “haymarket Massacre”. 369

Socialism and anarchy—The great labor strikes of 1886—Riot at McCormick works—The “Revenge - ’ circular—Haymarket meeting called—Extract from Spies’ harangue—Incendiary speeches—The police attempt to disperse' the meeting—The deadly bomb is thrown—Fearful slaughter of the police—Many arrests made—Names of those indicted—Trial of the anarchists —Testimony of Gottfried Waller—Plan of the anarchists— Justice of the verdict: Judge Gary’s opinion—The sentence of the court—Long speeches of the anarchists—Louis Lingg’s bitter speech—Suicide of Louis Lingg—Action of the Supreme Court—Four anarchistic murderers hanged—Schwab, Fielden and Neebe pardoned—Governor Altgeld’s savage assault upon Judge Gary.

Chapter Xxii.—the. Palmer Poisoning Case. 384

The Old Bailey in London—William Palmer—John Parsons Cook —Palmer financially embarrassed—He resorts to forgery— Cook makes a winning—Sudden illness of Cook—What Mrs. Brooks saw—Palmer resumes active operations—Palmer’s broth makes a servant sick—Palmer’s visit to London—Palmer obtains strychnine—Cook taken violently ill—Palmer purchases more strychnine—Palmer administers pills to Cook—Death of John Parsons Cook—Palmer secures Cook’s effects—Bamford writes certificate of death—The post-mortem examination— Palmer induces the postmaster to open a letter—Palmer sus¬ pected by Mr. Stephens—The poisoner’s forgeries exposed— Nature of strychnine—Views of the attorney-general—Long lists of expert witnesses—Analysis of Dr. Taylor—No trace of strychnine found—Present scientific view—Dying symp¬ toms indicated strychnine poisoning—Palmer an expert in poison—The Palmer case still a leading precedent.

Chapter Xxiii.— H. H. Holmes, The Multi-murderer 401

Two remarkable instances of the Ironic’:< a 1 impulse—H. H. Holmes the arch-murderer—Addicted 10 a.most every known xiii

PAGE

crime—The Pitezel case, which brought Holmes to justice—

He receives a large sum for his confession—A past-master in the science of lying—A history that reads like fiction—An inventor discovers a horrible crime—The dead body and its surroundings—Decided to be a case of suicide—Insurance scheme developed—Body claimed as that of Pitezel—Holmes appears upon the scene: His ingenious letters—Two conspir¬ ators are introduced to each other—The body identified as that of Pitezel—The insurance policy paid—A breach of faith that led to Holmes’ detection—Hedgepeth makes known the insur¬ ance swindle—Holmes is located and arrested in Boston—The murderer’s first confession—He presents quite a plausible explanation—Mrs. Pitezel becomes communicative—Holmes finds that he has made a serious mistake—His second confes¬ sion—Pitezel had committed suicide—His ingenious story not believed by the authorities—The prisoner declares that the children are in London—Cipher advertisement for Minnie Williams—The Williams sisters: Holmes accuses Minnie of murder—Officers believe that Holmes has killed the children—

A veteran detective starts to unravel the mystery—Locates them in Cincinnati and Indianapolis—Concluded that the boy is dead—Visits the “Castle” in Chicago—Holmes and his three parties in Detroit—The remains of the two girls discovered in Toronto—Geyer starts in quest of Howard Pitezel—A long and most discouraging search—Holmes found to have rented a cot¬ tage at Irvington—Discovery of the half-burnt remains of a boy—They are identified as those of Howard Pitezel—Holmes wanted in many places—Trial of Holmes for the murder of Pitezel—Unprecedented efforts to secure a continuance—Trial of the murderer—Holmes convicted and sentenced to death— Remarkable confession of H. H. Holmes—Some account of his early life: Holmes a bigamist—Affects to believe that he was assuming the form of the devil—The first of twenty-seven murders—Declares that he was a victim of the homicidal impulse—Sells “subjects” to medical colleges—An assorted lot of murders—Awful crime committed by a confederate— Holmes’ “Castle”—A veritable murder-den—His strange power of fascinating women—Secures explanatory letters from victims before killing them—Sad fate of Emeline Cigrand— Establishes a place for decoying innocent girls—Kills, and sells the body of his janitor—Confesses that he burned a man alive —Secures his money by raised checks—Two murders in which he had confederates—The Williams sisters: a horrible double murder—The famous Pitezel murders: Holmes’ statement— Murder of B. F. Pitezel the work of a fiend—Killing of How¬ ard Pitezel—The murderer’s reflections—Murder of the Pitezel xiv

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girls—Holmes becomes sentimental—Execution of Holmes: his last moments—His last confession: dies with a lie upon his lips—The Holmes case a difficult one to analyze—The homi¬ cidal impulse explains all his actions—Holmes almost totally depraved—The moral of his life and death.

Chapter Xxiv.—case Of Harry Hayward.432

A brother’s farewell—Discovery of Catherine Ging’s remains— Startling statement of Harry Hayward—His long examination —Sensational letter of Elder Stewart—Arrest of Harry Hay¬ ward—Arrest and confession of Adry Hayward—Arrest and confession of Blixt—Blixt makes a second confession—Swift action of the authorities—The famous trial begun—Testimony in the case—Conviction of Harry Hayward—Hayward’s attempted escape—Life imprisonment for Blixt—Harry Hay¬ ward curses his brother—They become reconciled—Hayward’s death: “I stand pat”—Hayward makes a full confession— Sketch of his life—Money his god—Driven to crime through gambling—His first great crime—Hayward becomes a murderer —Becomes an incendiary—Plans many murders—The murder, at Long Branch—Brutal murder of a Chinaman—Case of Catherine Ging—Hayward secures all her money—A scheme involving hypnotism and mystery—Harry exonerates Adry— How he hypnotized Blixt—They discuss many plans—A fellow-feeling for Durant—The ominous mole—Not sorry for his crimes—A clear subject of homicidal impulse.

Chapter Xxv.—theodore Durant, The San Fran¬ Cisco Monster. 451

A case that rivals fiction in horrors—Almost unique in the history of crime—The murderer and his habits—Two beautiful girls his victims—Some account of them—Scene of the crimes: the “Hoodoo Church”—Mysterious disappearance of Blanche Lamont—An awful discovery in the church—Fiendish methods employed by the murderer—Durant at the party—His remark¬ able composure—Suspicious circumstances against him—Minnie Williams’ purse found in his pocket—Prediction of a news¬ paper—Search for the remains—Awful discovery in the church-tower—Disposition of the murdered girl’s clothing—

The auditorium and church-tower: a strange contrast—Durant strongly suspected—Wild excitement in the city—Durant arrested and imprisoned—A clergyman unjustly accused— Blanche Lamont’s rings sent to her aunt—Action of the coroner's jury—The trial; testimony of Organist King —Duxv

PAGE

rant not at the college April third—He takes the stand—Fails to help his case—His conviction and sentence to death—The law’s delays—Durant four times condemned to death—Execution of Theodore Durant—Protests his innocence from the scaffold— Opinion of Rev. William Roder—Extract from a newspaper— “Papa, give me some more of the roast”—A difficult case to classify—Durant a perverted monster.

Chapter Xxvi.—the Pearl Bryan Murder. 467

A tragedy enacted in three States—Discovery of the remains— Identification of clothing—The flower of the flock—Arrest of Scott Jackson—How he formed Pearl’s acquaintance—Wanted a woman’s head to dissect—Mutual incriminations—Circum¬ stantial evidence accumulates—Walling prevents Pearl from returning home—Story of Lulu May Hollingsworth—Verdict of coroner’s jury—The prisoners removed to Kentucky—The authorities in a dilemma—Long-sought-for coachman found— Remarkable story of George H. Jackson—Driving at the point of a revolver—Flight of the frightened coachman—He identi¬ fies Walling—Discovery of the carriage—Midnight procession to scene of murder—The tell-tale railway iron—Walling’s bloody overshoes found—Jackson’s letters to Will Wood—Trial and conviction of the murderers—Strong efforts to secure clemency—Jackson makes and withdraws a confession— Prisoners die protesting their innocence—Probably victims of the homicidal impulse.

Chapter Xxvii.—the Guldensuppe Tragedy. 481

Sensational fiction and crime—Resemblance to Webster and Cronin cases—A gruesome bit of flotsam—A horrible treasuretrove—Expert opinions of remains—An enterprising reporter— Clue to the murdered man’s identity—Mrs. Augusta Nack—

Her story as to Guldensuppe—The remains identified—An immoral household—Wrappings traced to Mrs. Nack—Missing legs discovered by boys—Arrest of Mrs. Nack—The cottage at Woodside—The search for Martin Thorn—Thorn’s confession to Gotha—Details of a horrible crime—Disposition of the remains—Arraignment of the murderers—Mrs. Nack a witness against Thom—The barber’s version of the murder—Con¬ fession of Martin Thorn—Mrs. Nack committed to prison— Execution of Martin Thorn—Homicidal impulse plainly present.

CHAPTER XXVIII.—LUETGERT CASE. 492 Three methods of evading detection—The famous Luetgert case

The means suggested the end—Some account of A. L. Luet-

XVI

PAGE

gert—He meets with business reverses—His domestic relations are not happy—Disappearance of Mrs. Luetgert—Her brother’s vain search for her—Luetgert faces the police—Fearful crime suggested to the officers—Frank Bialk’s strange story—He is twice sent to a drug store—The famous middle vat—Various suspicious circumstances—Conclusion reached by Captain Schuettler—Police search the factory—Examine the middle vat—Discovery of Mrs. Luetgert’s rings—Luetgert’s purchase of potash—Breaking up the potash—Luetgert bribes Odorowsky to keep silent—Orders the place cleaned up—Bones and corset-steels discovered—Fatal mistake of Luetgert—He is arrested and indicted—Trial of A. L. Luetgert—Gruesome experiment at the factory—The State’s difficult task—Luet¬ gert’s young son testifies—Important testimony of Mrs. Tosch —Luetgert visits Frank Bialk—Testimony of Mrs. Feldt— Luetgert’s love-letters read in court— Mrs. Feldt identifies bloody knife—Testimony of Emma Schiemicke—Testimony of the experts—List of bones introduced—Other witnesses of the State—Great efforts of the defense—Efforts to prove Mrs. Luetgert alive—Bearing of the defendant on the trial— Testimony of William Charles—Claim that Luetgert was mak¬ ing soap—Weakness of this defense—Effort to prove Mrs. Luetgert insane—The jury disagrees—Again arraigned for trial—Stenographers abandon the defense —Luetgert takes the stand—Is sentenced to imprisonment for life—Luetgert an egotistical man.

Chapter Xxix.—infanticide.. 509

Infanticide a crime common with savages—Shame the leading cause of infanticide at present—Infants often sacrificed to heathen deities—Infanticide among the Greeks—The Romans restricted it—Exposure of infants common with the Romans—

The growth of Christianity checked infanticide—Abandoned infants largely sold as slaves—Punishment of child-murder by the Romans—Abortion among the pagans—Same among the Christians—Infanticide in India and China—Modern view of the crime—Foundling hospitals—Foundling hospitals in France —The turning-wheel—Recent changes in France—Punish¬ ment of infanticide at present—Ancients and moderns con¬ trasted.

Chapter Xxx.—suicide. 52i

Suicide condemned by enlightened people—Forbidden by the Romans—Suicide of Samson—Only four other biblical instances —Wholesale suicide of Eleazar and his company—Josephus’

CONTENTS xvii

PAGE

description of the' slaughter—The great historian placed in a like predicament—Brahminism encourages suicide—Forms of death chosen by the Brahmins—Buddhism favorable to suicide —Japanese modes of death—Wonderful composure—Early Greeks opposed suicide—Philosophy changes the Greek view —Suicide among the Romans—A common death—List of dis¬ tinguished pagan suicides—Seneca eloquently advocates sui¬ cide—Slight restrictions of the Roman law—Cato’s suicide—

His soliloquy on immortality—Suicide of Tarquin’s soldiers— Remarkable death of Petronius Arbiter—Singular end of Zeno —Many suicides due to the Oracles—Suicides in Central Asia— Suicides in Egypt—Suicide among the northern barbarians— Their fear of a death from old age—Marked contrasts of the Christian notion—Suicide among the Vikings—Among the Scandinavians—Marked influence of Christianity.

CHAPTER XXXI.—SUICIDE (Continued). 540

Christianity gave a new meaning to life—In two respects it dis¬ couraged suicide—Suicide among the early Christians—Caused by unbounded enthusiasm—The Donatists strongly advocated suicide—The Church formally condemns suicide—Suicide of women to escape defilement—St. Palagia committed suicide from this motive—Suicides in monasteries—An extraordinary, suicide from fanaticism—Efforts to check suicide—Suicide from example: the women of Miletus—An epidemic of suicides at Lyons—Case of Thomas Chatterton: a remarkable boy—Sui¬ cides of Jews—Suicidal imitation extends to places and methods—Unique methods employed by suicides—Suicide clubs —The love of life almost universal—Savages little addicted to suicide—The love of life declines with age—Suicide among children—The instantaneous suicidal impulse—The graduallygrowing suicidal impulse—Rational suicide: common with the ancients—Irrational suicide—Laws for the suppression of sui¬ cide—Regulations for the burial of suicides.

Chapter Xxxii.—capital Punishment. 557

Controversy over the death penalty—Capital punishment a seem¬ ing necessity—Executions among the ancients—Death by drowning—Burning to death—Enormous extent of this pun¬ ishment—Burning of Eleanor Elsom—Boiling to death— Pressing to death: a most cruel punishment—Form of sentence to be pressed to death—Description of a legal pressing— Execution by hanging—Ancient and modern modes of hanging xviii

—Hanging, drawing and quartering—Gibbeting, or hanging in chains—Garroting, a Spanish punishment—Breaking on the wheel—Decapitation by the axe and sword—The “Halifax Gibbet”—The “Scottish Maiden”—The guillotine and its origin—Extravagant statement of Dr. Guillotin—Louis XVI. makes a suggestion—Description of the guillotine—Electrocu¬ tion—Office of public executioner—Crimes punished with death.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

OPP. PAGE

Portrait of the Author. Frontispiece

Strange Murder in a Cafe .... 0 .... 32

Execution of Lacenaire.80

Dr. Webster Confronted with the Remains of Dr. Parkman . 112

The Dearing Massacre; Probst at Work.128

Discovery of Daniel Clarke’s Bones in St. Robert’s Cave . . 160