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- 15 Mugshots From the 1800s (wealthgang.com)
A Rogue’s Gallery: Mugshots from the 1800s Offer Glimpse into Lives Touched by Crime
Mugshots from the 19th century provide a captivating window into the lives of those who ran afoul of the law, from cunning swindlers and hardened outlaws to petty thieves and even children. These vintage photographs capture a range of individuals, from seasoned criminals to small-time pickpockets.
Each image tells a story: a scam gone wrong, a daring escape, or simply a life marred by misfortune in a world that offered little sympathy. Here are a few notable examples:
- Bertha Liebbeke, aka “Fainting Bertha”: This clever con artist would feign fainting into the arms of unsuspecting well-dressed gentlemen, using the opportunity to relieve them of their valuables.
- Ellen Woodman: In a stark reminder of the harsh realities of the time, this 11-year-old girl was sentenced to seven days of hard labor in the 1870s for stealing iron in England.
- Goldie Williams: Williams’ mugshot, taken on January 20, 1898, after an arrest for vagrancy, captures a particularly striking expression.
- George H. Ray: Ray’s mugshot shows him grinning after receiving a 10-year prison sentence for manslaughter in the late 1800s.
- Jane Farrell: This 12-year-old girl received a sentence of 10 days of hard labor for stealing two boots in the 1870s.
- Jim Ling: Arrested on June 3, 1898, for operating an opium den, Ling’s mugshot lists his occupation as “thief.”
- Henry Leonard Stephenson: This audacious 12-year-old was convicted of breaking into homes in 1873 and sentenced to two months in prison.
- James Collins: This 23-year-old tailor was arrested for burglary on May 12, 1897. Records indicate he escaped police custody before being apprehended again.
- Charles Martin, aka “Charles Davis”: Martin was arrested in Nebraska for safe cracking and burglary.
- Stephen Monaghan: At the age of 14, Monaghan was sentenced to 10 days hard labor and three years in the Market Weighton Reformatory in England for stealing money.
- Nannie Hutchinson: Hutchinson was arrested in the late 1800s for the murder of her employer.
- Bert Martin: Convicted of horse theft in Nebraska, Martin worked at the broom factory during his incarceration.
- Thomas “Prof” Whitney: This self-proclaimed clairvoyant, palmist, and astrologer was convicted of “obtaining money under false pretenses” after advertising his services in local newspapers.
- Herbert Cockran: This tailor from Fairmont, Nebraska, was arrested for burglary on November 24, 1899.
- James Whitewater: Sentenced to 17 years in prison for killing two men, Whitewater reportedly found religion while incarcerated and celebrated his release with exuberant joy.
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- 15 Mugshots From the 1800s (wealthgang.com)