Biographies & Memoirs

Professional Criminals of America: From Gilded Age New York

Professional Criminals of America: From Gilded Age New York

A late-nineteenth century rogues gallery of America's foremost murderers, bank robbers, con men, forgers, embezzlers, and pickpockets.Written in 1886, Professional Criminals of America contains biographical sketches, including photographs, of some four hundred of the nation's leading criminals. Each profile details the crimes committed and the circumstances leading up to arrest and conviction. Also included are short, informative chapters on criminal methods, executions, opium addiction, fugitives from justice, and prison commutation laws, along with intriguing chapters on mysterious unsolved murders, adventurers and adventuresses, and a list of every prison and state penitentiary in America at the time of publication.

Foreword: Tradition Of Crime

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Bank Burglars

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Bank Sneak Thieves

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Forgers

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Hotel and Boarding-House Thieves

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Sneak and House Thieves

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Store and Safe Burglars

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Shoplifters

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Pickpockets

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Confidence and Banco Men

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Receivers of Stolen Goods

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Tricks of Sawdust Men

Methods of Professional Criminals of America: Frauds in Horse Sales

Why Thieves Are Photographed

Several Notable Forgers

International Forgers: Secret History of the Wilkes, Hamilton, Becker and Engles Gang of Forgers — Their Chief’s Confession

Other Noted Criminals

Bank Robberies

Miscellaneous Robberies

Mysterious Murders

Executions in the Tombs Prison, New York City, from 1851 to 1886

Adventurers and Adventuresses

Opium Habit and Its Consequences

Prison Commutation Laws

List of State Prisons, Penitentiaries, and Reformatories in the States and Territories

Addenda

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