No. 258
Crime, Eccentricity, and the Sporting Life in 19th Century America.
June 08, 2015

The Minister Was Coltish.

The Rev. G. W. Kling, pastor of the Crawford M. E. Church at West Marietta, O., is in a peck of trou
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June 8, 2015
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CHARLES R TITUS
alias: DOCTOR THOMPSON
FORGER

Strange Days at the Lamb Inn

The Lamb Inn was a large, comfortable establishment in Bristol, England, with a long history, from the mid-17th century until it was demolished in 1910,  Over the centuries, the inn undoubtedly saw many strange and interesting things, but undoubtedly its most famous episode began in late 1761, when all hell broke loose at the hostel.  And, yes, I am speaking quite literally.Richard
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Strange Company - 9/7/2026

Convicts to Maryland, 1773 by Peter Dickson

  [Editor’s note: Guest writer, Peter Dickson, lives in West Sussex, England and has been working with microfilm copies of The Duncan Campbell Papers from the State Library of NSW, Sydney, Australia. The following are some of his analyses of what he has discovered from reading these papers. Dickson has contributed many transcriptions to the Jamaica […]
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Early American Crime - 2/7/2019
Amen.

Artifact #93: Soapy's son, hires attorney to stop the slurring of his father's name.

"As his son I am proud of hisefforts to succeed in life"Jefferson Randolph Smith IIIArtifact #93-2Jeff Smith collection(Click image to enlarge) oapy's son hires a legal firm to stop the defamation of his father's name. At age 30, Jefferson Randolph Smith III, Soapy and Mary's oldest son, was protecting his father's legacy and his mother's reputation from "libel" and scandal. He was also
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Soapy Smith's Soap Box - 10/13/2025

Sadie and Clarence.

Sadie and Clarence.In April 1894, the murder of Montgomery Gibbs, a successful attorney, caused great excitement in Buffalo, New York. He was found shot to death in a driveway on Delaware Avenue with no clues to the killer’s identity. The police and newspapers investigated the crime, but they had no solid leads, and it remained unsolved. Then, in October, they received a tip that Clarence
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Murder By Gaslight - 9/5/2026
On the Russians.

1617: A miller of Manberna, the hangman’s last

Youth With Executioner by Nuremberg native Albrecht Dürer … although it’s dated to 1493, which was during a period of several years when Dürer worked abroad. November 13 [1617]. Burnt alive here a miller of Manberna, who however was lately … Continue reading →
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Executed Today - 11/13/2020
A Bloody Ruction. | Concerning Sensational Methods.

The Minister Was Coltish.

Minister was Coltish

Pastor Kling, of West Marietta O., charged by Mrs. William Green Jr., with being too gay. [more]

The Rev. G. W. Kling, pastor of the Crawford M. E. Church at West Marietta, O., is in a peck of trouble. The other afternoon he called upon Mrs. William Green, Jr., a member of his church. During his stay he attempted to take unwarranted liberties with the good sister, and a violent struggle ensued. Mrs. Green’s screams or help were heard by her father who came to her assistance. Upon the appearance of the lady’s parent the wicked pastor suddenly recollected that he had important business elsewhere, and started off at a rapid gait to attend to it. Mrs. Green swore out a warrant for his arrest, but he has not since been seen, although the church people say they will have him at the Mayor’s office when wanted.

Reprinted from National Police Gazette, October 1, 1892.

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