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”
Tag Archives: Historical Crime
Savage Murder at Taliesin
By Chris Bunton Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the most famous architects in the world. He lived and worked between 1867 and 1959. His works have inspired millions, but at the same time, his life had dark tragedies. I have been a fan of Frank Lloyd Wright for quite some time, and try toContinue reading “Savage Murder at Taliesin”
The Education of a Young Gentleman
By Charlie Jacobson And I eat men like air.—from Plath, Sylvia. “Lady Lazarus.” 1962. *** “Charles!” “Uh?” “Richie has a flat.” I rolled out of bed and stumbled after my mother into the kitchen. She thrust a receiver into my hand and lit a Chesterfield. I grunted. “Richie?” “Git your ass over here.” The lineContinue reading “The Education of a Young Gentleman”
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”
Last Meal
By Matthew Senn I sit down to the smell of steak and skunk beer. There’s a greying woman behind the saloon bar flipping meals and meat with a rusty fork. She turns and smiles holding out a finger for me to wait. “Take your time. There’s no hurry.” “Cold out there?” “Yes, ma’am.” I adjustContinue reading “Last Meal”
Book Release: “I’m a Dead Man”
By Chris Bunton If you are interested in conspiracy theories, and most especially the theories surrounding the John F. Kennedy assassination, then this is a book for you to check out. It is written by author and police historian, Sgt. Mike Simmons. The press release says: “PENSACOLA, Fla. _ Delving into a decades-old mystery involvingContinue reading “Book Release: “I’m a Dead Man””
Gang Shooting in Dowell, Illinois
Dowell, Illinois is a small town of about 200 people. It sits in Southern Illinois, which is a rural area about 6 hours south of Chicago, and an hour or 2 east of St. Louis. It’s mostly a quiet area, but in the 20’s it was full of bootlegging, speakeasies, and gang war. The gangContinue reading “Gang Shooting in Dowell, Illinois”