#Historical Crime

[eyesaremosaics]

The face of the Gibson girl, the classic gilded age beauty—Evelyn Nesbit

Evelyn Nesbit was an American artists' model, chorus girl, and actress. She is best known for her career in New York City, particularly her involvement in an abusive and ultimately deadly love triangle between railroad scion Harry Kendall Thaw and architect Stanford White, which resulted in White's murder by Thaw in 1906.

Stanford White was the architect who designed the Madison square garden. He befriended Evelyn and her mother when she was a young poor art model trying to help support her family by posing for photographers and painters alike. Stanford groomed Evelyn, and one night he brought her back to his house, plied her with champagne, and then proceeded to drug and rape her. He continued to abuse her for a period of time after this. He told her to keep it a secret.

She dated John Barrymore, and they were each others first loves. The relationship was short lived, but neither ever forgot the other.

Evelyn married Harry Kendall Thaw, and eventually she confided the assault to her new husband. Though Evelyn felt relieved to finally speak it aloud to another human being, Harry obsessed over exacting revenge on White.

At 11 pm Thaw fired three shots into Stanford White’s head, killing him instantly. White was ironically attending the rooftop theater at Madison square garden.

[wanderrealms]

How unusual were some medieval crimes?

[margysmusings]

[liebgotts-lovergirl]

Historical Moodboards: Bonnie Parker

"I couldn't help loving him madly; for him, even I would die."

[world-of-advice]

[trilogiesofterror]

When he prematurely retired in 1913 due to illness, Melville Macnaghten claimed to journalists that he knew the exact identity of Jack the Ripper, the nickname of the unknown serial killer of poor prostitutes in London's impoverished East End during the late Victorian era. The police chief called the killer "that remarkable man", but refused to name him or divulge details that might identify him.

Macnaghten was actively involved in the investigation of the murders of Whitechapel prostitutes between 1889 and 1891. Crimes that were initially believed by some at Scotland Yard, and certainly by the tabloid press, to be by the same perpetrator.

A fictionalized Melville Macnaghten is prominently featured in The Ripper Lives as he and Inspector Frederick Abberline follow the Ripper's trail.

BOOK SERIES PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR7Y98R6

ABOUT THE RIPPER LIVES: JACK THE RIPPER'S REIGN OF TERROR CONTINUES The world’s most elusive and terrifying serial killer returns in the 10-part Victorian gothic murder mystery series, The Ripper Lives. Dripping with 19th-century atmosphere and intrigue, each thrilling, suspense-filled chapter ends with a shocking cliffhanger that compels the reader forward. The fear builds as the historical horror story unfolds, culminating in an explosive, mind-bending conclusion.

The Ripper Lives is a sequel to the true story that commences after the slayings of the Canonical Five. As a secretly appointed task force works to bring the butcher to justice under the radar of the newspapers, the unsuspecting public believes the threat has subsided. But while hiding in the shadows, the serial killer's compulsion to mutilate has grown exponentially stronger, and for Whitechapel, the harrowing nightmare of tension and terror has only just begun.

BOOK SERIES PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR7Y98R6

[laurastudarus]

Maria Trimarchi writes the script for every episode of Criminalia. However, there’s one part of each show where she likes to be kept in the dark — podcasting partner Holly Frey’s show-ending cocktail recipe.

(via It Takes Two: ‘Criminalia’ Hosts on Their Devious New Season)

[verityreadsbooks]

New Flavia de Luce

Yes it’s Friday, no this isn’t really a series post. Well it is, sort of. Let me explain. Back in May 2022 I wrote a series post for Alan Bradley’s Flavia de Luce books, and in it I said that as there hadn’t been a new book since 2019, I thought the series might be finished… but no! After a six year wait, we have an eleventh book, and it came out this week. A quick recap for those who haven’t…

[cherylmmbookblog]

#Blogtour Jack the Ripper and Abraham Lincoln by Tony McMahon

It’s an absolute pleasure to take part in the Blogtour Jack the Ripper and Abraham Lincoln: One man links the two greatest crimes of the 19th century by Tony McMahon. About the Author Tony McMahon is an experienced investigative journalist, news and features editor, and consultant to governments and NGOs on issues like countering violent extremism and counter terrorism. A former BBC producer…

[thecedarchest]

Prayers, Songs, and Friends: The Hanging of George Watkins

"Arriving at the cell, Sheriff Carleton called to Watkins to come to the corner, and when he did so, he said:

'George, as much as I regret it, it is my duty to read to you the death warrant issued by the Governor.'

Watkins placed one ear to an opening in the cage, and the sheriff read the death warrant":

Executive Department, State of Florida. To D.S. Carleton, Sheriff of our County of Saint Lucie. Greeting: Whereas, at the Special Term of our Circuit Court for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in and for our said County of Saint Lucie, begun on the 25th day of July, A.D., One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twelve, George Watkins, late of our said County, was convicted of the crime of rape, and thereupon by our said Court the said George Watkins was sentenced for said crime to suffer the pains of death, by being hanged by the neck until he be dead, all of which, by exemplification an of the record of said conviction and sentence, which I have caused to he hereunto annexed, doth fully appear: Therefore, I, Albert W. Gilchrist, Governor of the said State of Florida, command you, that upon Friday, the sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and twelve, between the hours of 10 o'clock in the forenoon and 2 o'clock in the afternoon, within the walls of the prison in our said county, or within the enclosed yard of such prison in our said county of St. Lucie, agreeably to the four thousand and twenty-second section of the general statutes of our said State, you cause the execution of the said sentence of our said court, in all respect to be done and performed upon him, the said George Watkins, for which this shall be your sufficient warrant. You are required to be present at the execution, unless prevented by sickness or other casualty; also, two of your deputies, to be designated by you. You are to request the presence of the State Attorney, Clerk of the Circuit Court, and twelve respectable citizens, including a physician or surgeon. You are also required to permit the counsel of the criminal, such minister of the gospel as the criminal desires, and his relations, to be present; and also such officers of the prison, deputies and constables and other officials, as you may see fit. Thereof fail not at your peril, and make return of this warrant, with your doings thereon, as soon as may be after execution. In witness whereof, I have hereunto placed my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Florida, at Tallahassee, the capital, this 17th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twelve. "Albert W. Gilchrist, Governor of Florida." (Seal) "H. Clay Crawford, Secretary of State."

Sheriff Daniel Stephen Carleton

George Speaks...

"Mr. Sheriff, I want to ask you to notify my people about this," George said after the sheriff finished reading the warrant.

Sheriff Carleton agreed to do so. As he and the party with him were leaving, George called for the sheriff to return to his cell. His next response shocked the sheriff.

"I want to make arrangements with you to hang me on the 4th of September, 'cause that is my birthday, and I want to be hung den."

"That is two days ahead of the time set by the Governor?" the sheriff replied.

"Yes," George replied, "but it is my birthday, and I want to make dat arrangement wid you."

Sheriff Carleton gave George hope that he would try to change the date. But, the date was set by the Governor. The death warrant for George Watkins had reached Fort Pierce, Florida, on Wednesday morning, August 21, 1912. George was scheduled to hang in sixteen days on September 6, 1912.

The Brutal Crime, and the Missing Link

The journalists never name the victim, but they sprinkle in facts about her life, the fright of the incident, and her horrible condition after the attack. Different papers contained bits and pieces of new and more detailed information. A couple of articles describe her as a 'beautiful young wife (& mother), married to one of Sebastian, Florida's, respected farmers & fruit growers.' As mentioned in my other post, "I Think I've Found a Missing Ancestor", there were two crimes: rape and assault with intent to murder (attempted murder). George only admitted to the assault with intent to murder; however, he was convicted of the crime he didn't admit to.

The article "Special Term of Court Ends - To Hang at Early Day" (St. Lucie County Tribune, August 2, 1912) briefly dropped details about the woman and detailed George's brutal crime:

While summarizing the disturbing details from the above article, the one below, "Foul Outrage at Sebastian" (St. Lucie County Tribune, June 7, 1912), also briefly mentions that Sheriff Carleton was already in Sebastian looking for a black man-- he realizes is George-- who had assaulted a black woman. The black woman is also unnamed.

Sheriff Carleton and his posse tracked George's footprints to a community in Sebastian now lost to time named the "Mose Hill quarters". This is the first mention online of the "Mose Hill quarters", and Florida Africana is digging for more info on this lost community.

And lastly, although error ridden, the article "Negro is Held for Assaulting White Woman" from The Evening Metropolis of Jacksonville, Florida (June 17, 1912), drops a detail that no other article has mentioned-- not just the missing fact that George had committed a previous assault against a black woman, but where George committed the assault: in Hallandale.

The article unknowingly connects the "Sebastian-incident George" to the "Hallandale-incident George". (It also reiterates the claim that he was implicated in the murder of Mark D. Bartleson). Yes, this is just one article; but, it is one significant aid in proving that the Georges were indeed the same. It means my theory of George leaving Miami area for Sebastian after his assault of my great grandmother Pearl Woodard is true. Also, it wasn't just that George "left"; it seems he escaped imprisonment / police custody from the Hallandale incident. Authorities were able to track him somehow to St. Lucie county where Sheriff Daniel S. Carleton was pegged to search for him.

It's like the journalists knew about the Hallandale incident, but it was only mentioned once in the above article and hinted to in the 'Foul Outrage' article. Again, there are a few errors in this article that may make it difficult to understand. For example, Sebastian is a town, not a county, and the first sentence of the second paragraph suggests the editors weren't clear on which crime was committed where. The facts are conflated. However, I believe the brief mention of Hallandale gives an unwitting revelation that was never expounded upon.

Who Were 'His People'?

Authorities requested a speedy trial. A posse wanted him lynched. Either way, judgment was going to be swift.

George's trial took place from July 25th to July 27, 1912. The first day of court, George wasn't present since he was being transferred to Fort Pierce from the Miami jail. Governor Gilchrist signed the death warrant on August 17, 1912, and it was read to him on August 21, 1912 in the St. Lucie County Jail. He was hung sixteen days later, on September 6, 1912.

The details of the hanging are gruesome:

"The hanging of George Watkins...took place in an enclosure at the side of the St. Lucie county jail in Fort Pierce last Friday morning, the trap being sprung at 10:26, and while death was instantaneous, he was officially pronounced dead fourteen minutes later. The drop was twelve feet and the fall nearly severed the negro's head."

George's earlier declaration to Sheriff Carleton for 'his people' to be notified of the death warrant made me wonder who 'his people' were. I just want to know the community he resided in and what preceded his crime. I am hoping that information from St. Lucie county about the "Mose Hill quarters", early black churches, and black funeral homes in the area during that time will help shed light on the community George lived in. Whoever 'his people' were, there was a group of people who showed up to his execution as support and to obtain his body. He had friends and spiritual advisors (preachers) present to pray and sing songs with him.

Almost fitting to my tree is that George preached a mini sermon himself before dropping to his death:

"While Watkins made no direct confession of the crime for which he was hanged, in his warning to others to lead better lives he stated that he would soon pay the price demanded by the law for his sin. He stated that he had found forgiveness and that when he dropped through the trap to death he would drop into the arms of Jesus in eternal life."

In a weird way, this was another clue to me of him being my great grandfather. His son, my grandfather, Hugh Anderson, Sr., became an ordained elder in the Church of God in Christ. Hugh never knew his father or anything about him, other than the supposed nickname Tommy. So, even as disturbing as the entire story is, seeing a mini sermon alludes to a very real common thread that only God can write the story to.

It was shocking to see that at least 500 people were present for George's hanging. It speaks to the magnitude of his crime, which was syndicated in newspapers across the state.

As always, the research continues.

- Crystal J. Anderson

Disclaimer: portions of this article, including without quotes, were stated verbatim from The St. Lucie Tribune article titled, "Watkins Will Hang Sep. 6th", Friday, August 23, 1912. Images of the article are included above.

[margysmusings]

My books are available from Amazon Italy. Four of them have been translated into Italian.

@sherlockholmesbooks

[liebgotts-lovergirl]

Historical Moodboards: Clyde Barrow

“I should have killed you, then I would have saved myself much bother and money..."

[jenmedsbookreviews]

Voices of the Dead by Ambrose Parry

Today I am absolutely delighted to share my thoughts on the brand new Raven and Fisher mystery from Ambrose Parry, Voices of the Dead @ambroseparry @canongtebooks @RandomTTours #books #booktwitter #booktwt #voicesofthedead #willraven

Today I am delighted to share my thoughts on the latest Raven and Fisher mystery from Ambrose Parry, Voices of the Dead. I love this series and it’s brilliant being back in the company of Will and Sarah. My thanks to Anne Cater for including me on the tour and to publisher Canongate for the advance copy for review. Here’s what it’s all about: Source: NetgalleyRelease Date: 15 June 2023Publisher:…

[good-old-gossip]

Symbols of Palestine

[seeker-of-peace]

A death toll higher than the Nakba and people have nowhere to run to this time. That so called ceasefire is not a ceasefire, it's just a means to make Israel look merciful in the eyes of the hypocrites. Give the land back to palestinians and free them from this dictatorship and genocide