In January 1889, as London constables hunted for Jack the Ripper and theaters around the world presented theatrical renditions of the Jekyll and Hyde story, Jackson, Michigan, Police Captain Jack Boyle searched for the murderer of Mary Latimer. This book follows Captain Boyle to the bordellos of gaslight-era Detroit--populated by madams, pimps, prostitutes and gamblers. It describes the investigation that led him to a pharmacist that prowled the streets, akin to a real-life Jekyll and Hyde. Ultimately, the book delves into the mind of Robert Irving Latimer, known as the most dangerous prisoner in Michigan and the man who inspired talk about resurrecting the state's long-dead death penalty.
In the 1890s, Amos Lunt served as the San Quentin hangman, tying the nooses that brought the most dangerous criminals in the Wild West to their deaths. A former police chief who became the hangman of San Quentin due to an unfortunate turn of events, Lunt stood on the gallows alongside bank robbers, desperadoes and assassins for five years. This book follows Lunt's trail from the Santa Cruz police department to the State Prison. Covering his interesting friendship with a series of death row inmates and the gradual deterioration of his sanity, it is a one-of-a-kind biography that details an American executioner. Also profiled are his subjects--20 of the West's most heinous criminals--as well as Lunt's preparations for their hangings and their final moments on the gallows.
The shocking series of crimes committed by lovers Martha Beck and Raymond Fernandez dominated the front pages in 1949. Caught for the double homicide of a widow and her young daughter in Michigan, the first couple of crime became the focus of an intense debate over the death penalty and extradition. Their story climaxed in a sensational trial in New York City and concluded two years later inside Sing Sing's notorious "Death House." Pulp fiction era reporters, who followed every step taken by the accused slayers, christened Beck and Fernandez the "Lonely Hearts Killers"--a nickname that stuck and has since been used to describe an entire category of criminal behavior. Despite the sensationalization of the killer couple's exploits, the story of the Michigan crime that ended their spree has until now remained largely untold. Drawing on rare archival material, this book presents, for the first time anywhere, a detailed account of this lost chapter in the saga of the "Lonely Hearts Killers." Both biography and analysis, this book also attempts to deconstruct the myths and misconceptions and to provide answers to a few unanswered questions about the case.
In March 1863, news of a controversial draft law hit the streets of Detroit as local saloonkeeper William Faulkner stood trial for raping two young girls. The sensational trial and accompanying lurid coverage in local newspapers inflamed festering racial animosities, resulting in an event dubbed "the bloodiest day that ever dawned upon Detroit." The Detroit riot of 1863 permanently altered the city's social landscape and later spurred the establishment of Detroit's first metropolitan police department. This history of the Detroit riot of 1863 illustrates the unique and complex social dynamic of Detroit during the Civil War. Featuring eyewitness testimonies from rare and seldom seen court records and trial transcripts, the book identifies the ringleaders, examines factors leading to the riot, and analyzes Faulkner's trial in the context of political events.
When a person has solved an enigmatic mystery by creating a connection between a series of seemengly unrelated and inexplicable events, we often say admiringly: "Well I must say you are a real Sherlock Holmes!"The name alone has become synonymous with brilliant acumen. The private detective Sherlock Holmes was created by the English author Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930), who from 1887 to 1927 wrote 4 novels and 56 short stories about him, collectively known as the Conan. Of these, "The Hound of the Baskervilles" is the most famous, and it has time and again been named the world's best crime novel, just as Holmes has been hailed as the world's greatest detective. "Sherlock Holmes and the Law" is about the relationship between crime and punishment. The whole of the Conan is reviewed with this issue in mind. When Holmes has uncovered a culprit, he as a general rule hands him over to the police. Sometimes, however, he makes an exception, in that he either punishes the guilty himself or lets him escape further prosecution. Ultimately, he puts his own sense of justice above English law, and he does so based on his inner moral compass. To find out about, describe and understand this compass is the task and goal of this book. In addition, "Sherlock Holmes and the Law" also contains a section on Arthur Conan Doyle's life, an overview of the Conan, a description of Holmes and Watson's personalities and friendship, an introduction to Holmes' working method and his relationship with the police. Henrik Fibæk Jensen (born 1954). A Danish writer. Master of Arts in Danish, history and philosophy from Aarhus University. He has written books about the authors Johannes Buchholtz, Jeppe Aakjær, Søren Kierkegaard and Hans Peter Kofoed-Hansen, the private detective Sherlock Holmes, the robber Jens Langkniv (a Danish Robin Hood-figure), and the serial killer John Christie. In addition magazine articles about Hans Scherfig, N.F.S. Grundtvig, Jack the Ripper, Emil Boesen and local history subjects from the Skive region in Jutland, Denmark.
Deuteronomy to Solomon. This volume is the second of three on the Old Testament. It covers the Bible from the Book of Deuteronomy to the reign of King Solomon. We read Moses' counsel to his people during the final days before his translation. We follow the children of Israel into the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, beginning at Jericho and ending with the total conquering of all the lands promised to Abraham. We are introduced to the Judge-Heroes, including but not limited to Gideon, Deborah, and Samson. We read of the rise of the prophet Samuel and reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. We thrill at the faith and gifts of David and mourn over his fall from grace. We are inspired by the wisdom of Solomon and the beauty of the House of Lord He built at Jerusalem, but are saddened by his idolatry in his old age. Along the way, we become familiar with the ministries and teachings of Elijah, and Elisha, and the courage and faith of Job. The cover features an extremely rare photograph of the rock (es-Sakhara) inside the Dome of the Rock, which at one time stood inside the Holy of Holies of Solomon's temple.
Old Testament Study Guide, Pt. 1: Genesis to Numbers. This volume is the first of three on the Old Testament. It begins with a discussion of the importance of studying the Old Testament, and the role of Jesus Christ in the Plan of Salvation and His selection as our Savior in the premortal council in heaven. We read concerning the process of creation, the placing of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and their fall into mortality. We learn briefly about Cain and Abel, followed by brief discussions of all the patriarchs from Adam to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We follow the story of Joseph in Egypt followed by the migration of Jacob?s family to that land for survival. We read of the rise of Moses, the Exodus, and the events at Mt. Sinai. Then we study the rebellion of the children of Israel and their wandering in the wilderness for 40 years. The cover features a beautiful image of Abraham?s Journey from Ur to Canaan, painted by Jozsef Molnar in 1880.
