History, Romance And Philosophy Of Great American Crimes And Criminals: Including The Great Typical Crimes That Have Marked The Various Periods Of American History From The Foundation Of The Republic To The Present Day, With Personal Portraits, Biographical Sketches, Legal Notes Of Celebrated Trials, And A Philosophical Disquisition Concerning The Causes, Prevalence And Prevention Of Crime.

COL FRANK TRIPLETT

Publication: ND Thompson & Company, 1884, New York and St Louis

First edition. Thick 8vo. Full leather, titles stamped in gilt on the spine, raised bands, xxxiv, 33 - 659 pp., author's preface, introduction, frontispiece, illustrated, plates, portraits

"Embracing the Crimes and Conspiracies of John A. Murrell, the great Southwestern Land Pirate; the Gigantic Schemes of Col. Monroe Edwards; the Napoleon of Forgers, etc., etc.; the Mountain Meadows Massacre; Murders and Burglaries of Ruloff, the Great Philologist; the Murder of Dr. Parkman by Prof. Webster; the Cunningham-Burdell Mystery; the Lowery Gang, the Swamp Angels of North Carolina; the Colt-Adams Murder; Hill-Evans Feud in Kentucky; Career of Cullen Baker, the Arkansas Desperado; the Helen Jewett-Frank Rivers Murder; Ben Thompson, of Texas, the Man Slayer; the Bender Family, the Kansas Fiends; James and Younger Brothers, etc., etc."

A collection of narratives about famous American crimes, especially from the 18th and 19th centuries, blending historical reporting, based on real cases and moral and philosophical commentary, in order to interpret the crimes. Offers the history of crimes, presenting detailed accounts of notable American criminals and cases, including murders, assassinations, outlaws, and political crimes. The emphasis is on documenting who did what, when, and how. Discusses how crime often stems from moral weakness, environment, or social conditions and emphasizes personal responsibility and ethical conduct, suggesting that studying crime can serve as a lesson to society. Triplett’s work isn’t just a record of crimes ... it’s an attempt to preserve American criminal history, explore why people are drawn to crime stories and offer moral lessons about human behavior and justice.

Six Guns 2244 says "scarce" and "The author gives sketches of outlaws from Murrell, the Harpes, and Joseph Hare down through the years to the Benders, Ben Thompson, the Jameses, and the Youngers." A very good copy.