Stranger in the Camp

By Chris Bunton “Hello in the camp! Permission to enter.” A man’s voice yelled from the darkness. Paul knew someone was out there creeping around but there wasn’t much he could do except watch and wait.  He stirred the fire with a stick. Sparks rose up, and the fire got a little brighter. Then heContinue reading “Stranger in the Camp”

Historical True Crime: Sam Hildebrand

By Chris Bunton “There seems little room for doubt that the desperado, who was recently killed at Pinckneyville, the particulars of which, our local correspondent of that town, has heretofore furnished our readers, was the real “Sam Hildebrand” of Missouri notoriety”—Du Quoin Tribune, April 11, 1872  Sam Hildebrand was born on January 6, 1836 atContinue reading “Historical True Crime: Sam Hildebrand”

The First Prison in Illinois

By Chris Bunton I have been traveling sections of The Great River Road for many years now. It is a road that goes along the Mississippi River on both sides, and is full of beautiful sites of history and culture. I recently went to Alton, Illinois which is on the Great River Road, in theContinue reading “The First Prison in Illinois”