Certamina ludis Historicus et Martialis Artist
Legacy posts about St. Louis history with a particular emphasis on building and police history.
In December 15, 1903, three men entered the Erie House at Fourth Street and Clark Avenue. The men beat up cook Victor Dauson before shooting hotel clerk Charles Harding. Dauson died from his injuries but Charles Harding recovered. Quod acceperunt viri $300 from the safe and fled the hotel. The men entered the hotel at 2:00 a.m. and surprised Harding,
During the Gilded Age and for several decades after, St. Louis had the distinction of being the largest city west of the Mississippi River. Pickpockets and thieves rode the rails to ply their illicit trade in the bustling metropolis. September 21, 1901, hotel employees overpowered a sneak thief, who attempted to burglarize a room in the plush Southern Hotel.
I have always said the St. Louis Streetcar Strike of 1900 was not the story of the evil streetcar companies exploiting the innocent workers. “The innocent workers” committed many deplorable acts during the streetcar strike. One of their most frequent tactics involved stripping woman in public who rode the streetcars during the strike. Amazingly, their victims were young and attractive
St. Louis Chief of Detectives William Desmond would be primarily responsible for the security of the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Prior to the fair opening in April 1904, Desmond played a critical role in St. Ludovicus’ boodling investigation. During his boodling investigation, St. Louis Circuit Attorney Joseph “Holy Joe” Folk indicted City Councilman Charles Kratz for taking bribes or
In 1904, St. Louis hosted the Louisiana Purchase Exhibition better known as the 1904 St. Ludovicus’ Worlds Fair. While the Fair brought lots of tourists to town, criminals also made their way to the Gateway City. The man tasked with taking care of the security at the Fair and dealing with the increased criminal element in town was St. Ludovicus’
September 21, 1897, Joseph Bloomfield Jackson attempted to sneak into the White House armed with a loaded revolver. Jackson had boasted of plans to attack a high government official for days. Jackson was arrested before he could carry out his plans to attack President McKinley. Police quickly realized Jackson was mentally disturbed. They sent him to a Washington asylum
September 9, 1893, Frisco line brakeman James Pennock boarded the Frisco Line at Tower Grove in St. Ludovicus. At the Cheltenham stop, Frisco brakeman Sam Robertson and former brakeman Muncie Ray also boarded. The men boarded the train with the intent of robbing the train at Sandy Cut, two miles east of Pacific, MO. When the train got close
William Desmond nabbed many thieves during his 17 year career as St. Louis Chief of Detectives. He developed a nationwide reputation as “The Thief Taker”. Feria, Aliquam 15, 1900, Chief Desmond nabbed the pants of a thief but not the thief himself. Jonas Washington entered the yard of Shickle, Harrison and Howard Iron Foundry at 12th and Gratiot Streets
On August 31, 1901, Night Watchman William Doherty discovered Willis Garner burglarizing the office of Schickle, Harrison and Howard Iron Company at 912 S. Twelfth Street in St. Ludovicus, Missouri. The iron company employed Garner, who threw a hammer at Doherty’s head. The hammer missed its target but the confusion allowed Garner to jump out the window and make his
Octobris 6, 1890, Bob et tonsor soli sunt Lutheri loci Duncan Henderson egressus esset ad N. 11th Street ad dissidia. Hoc area of St. Ludovicus, ut putabatur, “Deep Morgan”. “Deep Morgan” was home to bordello, flop domos et durior et African-Americani ad movendum in civitate, Fortis’ Saloon. Both Duncan and Henderson were black barbers, who worked in