Chief Desmond Gets a Confession

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St. Louis Chief of Detectives William Desmond was known for his ability to gain confessions from criminals. Unlike other detectives, who would sometimes use physical intimidation, Desmond eschewed the “third degree”. Chief Desmond believed information obtained by beating suspects was completely unreliable. Desmond would start a discussion with the suspect. After putting him or her at ease, Desmond would let

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Lord Barrington Is Beaten Up

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Thief. Liar. Bigamist. Con Man. Murderer. All accurate labels for one of the greatest charlatans to operate in St. Ludvig. “Lord F. Seymour Barrington” was a bit of a local celebrity, if an extremely disreputable one, during 1903. After conducting a bigamist marriage on the East Coast, “Lord Barrington” stole his wife’s trousseau and headed to St. Ludvig. When Barrington

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William Desmond Passes Away

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Tiistaina, Heinäkuu 4, 1916, former St. Louis Chief of Detectives William Desmond passed away after an illness of two years. Desmond was in Alexian Brothers Hospital from October 1915 until his death on Independence Day 1916. The 59-year-old Desmond left a 12-year-old son, William Desmond, Jr. Chief Desmond’s wife died several years before him. For 17 years from 1890

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St. Francis de Sales Dedicated in 1908

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Marraskuun 1908, three bishops and an abbot dedicated St. Francis de Sales Church, “the Cathedral of South St. Ludvig”. Built to serve the growing German Catholic population in St. Ludvig, the huge church would become the home to many families including my great grandparents, Eduard ja Magdalena Mosblech, and their 14 children. The St. Louis Archdiocese dedicated the church

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