Additional Coverage:
- 17 Mugshots From the 1900s That Tell a Story in Every Face (wealthgang.com)
A captivating glimpse into the criminal underworld of the early 20th century reveals a cast of characters as diverse as the crimes they committed. From petty thieves and swindlers to hardened criminals, these mugshots offer a glimpse into a bygone era of lawlessness and intrigue.
Minnie Bradley, a 27-year-old prostitute, was arrested in Omaha, Nebraska on December 11, 1902 for larceny. A similar charge of theft landed bookkeeper George Leonard behind bars on December 23, 1901.
Mrs. H.C.
Adams, another Omaha resident who also listed her occupation as “prostitute,” was arrested for blackmail on April 12, 1900. “Red Nora” Courier, a 22-year-old woman, found herself in trouble with the law on March 31, 1901, for stealing a horse.
Frank Hammilton was arrested in California in the early 1900s for petty theft.
In Sydney, Australia, a dapperly dressed Sydney Skukerman was arrested for fraud on September 25, 1924. A more serious crime brought 14-year-old Claude F.
Hankins into the system. He was convicted of second-degree murder in 1904 for killing George Morse, the son of a famous detective, and sentenced to 16 years.
W.M. Brown’s mugshot from early 1900s California lists his offense as “resisting an officer.”
Thomas Bede’s 1928 Sydney mugshot includes the intriguing note, “this man refused to open his eyes.”
E.H. Brunson’s story is a chilling one.
After stalking and shooting a woman who rejected him (she survived and testified), he received a mere two-year sentence. Upon release, he stalked another woman, ultimately killing both her and himself.
Elizabeth Ruddy, a self-proclaimed “career criminal,” was arrested in Australia on January 5, 1915 for theft, adding to her rap sheet of “stealing in a dwelling, drunk and stealing.” Arson landed Chas Bogard in custody in early 1900s California.
De Gracy and E. Dalton, known as “magsmen” or confidence tricksters, were arrested for fraud in Australia in the 1920s.
Guiseppe Fiori, alias Permontto, a self-professed safe cracker, was arrested in New South Wales, Australia on August 5, 1924 for theft. Frank Hogan was arrested for robbery in California in the early 1900s.
Teenage Valerie Lowe and her boyfriend were known for petty theft, culminating in their 1922 arrest for breaking and entering. Fay Watson’s mugshot marks her 1928 arrest in Australia for cocaine possession, resulting in a £10 fine.
These stories, preserved in stark black and white, offer a fascinating, and sometimes disturbing, window into the past.
Read More About This Story:
- 17 Mugshots From the 1900s That Tell a Story in Every Face (wealthgang.com)