New York Almanack

History, Natural History & the Arts

Crime and Justice

Murder Trials Of Note In 19th Century Saratoga County

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Saratoga County NY Map 1856The following record of nineteenth century murder trials in Saratoga County was provided by a Mechanicville correspondent to the Troy Daily Times in 1891:

There have been many noted murder trials in Saratoga county since the first court was held in the town of Stillwater May 10, 1791 – 100 years ago. The court now in session at Ballston Spa meets about five miles from where the first court was held, at the residence of Samuel Clark, near East Line, Judge John Thompson of Stillwater [then] presiding, he having received the appointment as the first judge of Saratoga county from Governor Clinton. [Read more…] about Murder Trials Of Note In 19th Century Saratoga County

Francis ‘Two Gun’ Crowley’s 1931 Killing Spree

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long island history project logoFrancis “Two Gun” Crowley earned his nickname during a mad spree in 1931 that included murder on a Long Island country lane and a chaotic battle with police on 90th St. in Manhattan. It ended in Crowley’s death in the electric chair less than a year later. [Read more…] about Francis ‘Two Gun’ Crowley’s 1931 Killing Spree

A Master Thief, Irish Hostess, English Duchess, and the Origins Pan Am

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Sydney Pagets image of the struggle between Sherlock Holmes and Professor MoriartyIn his stories Arthur Conan Doyle used the leitmotif that misdeeds are not impulsive acts of random individuals. They are machinations of a subtle criminal mind. Enter Professor James Moriarty, a figure with a phenomenal mathematical brain whose hereditary criminal tendencies were rendered deadly by his mental powers. [Read more…] about A Master Thief, Irish Hostess, English Duchess, and the Origins Pan Am

Hunters Ticketed For Illegal Camp, Landing Float Plane in Wilderness Area

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Nov 2020 Illegal Wilderness Camp Forest Rangers Hanno and McCartney reported that on Friday, November 13, they discovered an illegal camp near a remote pond in the West Canada Lake Wilderness Area in Ohio Township, Herkimer County, in the Adirondack Park.

Upon further investigation, the Forest Rangers say they observed multiple state land violations, and decided to monitor the site for suspects. [Read more…] about Hunters Ticketed For Illegal Camp, Landing Float Plane in Wilderness Area

Shopping List for Murder On Crossroads of Rockland History

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crossroads of rockland historyIn the latest episode of “Crossroads of Rockland History,” Clare Sheridan welcomed Tess McCormack. McCormack discussed her new book Shopping List for Murder, the true story of a young girl’s horrific experiences long before the “Me Too” movement would usher in intolerance of abuse, and the courageous Rockland County lawyer who fought for her future. McCormack spoke about her connection to this true crime saga and what inspired her to write the book. [Read more…] about Shopping List for Murder On Crossroads of Rockland History

The 1884 Election Also Brought False GOP Claims of Voter Fraud

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Election 1884 Cincinnati Riot(1) Counting and verification of votes in the 1884 presidential election, as now, was controversial, with Republicans claiming fraud and inaccuracy.

“Republicans are diehard here. All their hope lies in finding a clerical error in the returns,” a Lake George correspondent wrote in a dispatch published November 11th in The Morning Star of Glens Falls. [Read more…] about The 1884 Election Also Brought False GOP Claims of Voter Fraud

The 1869 Shooting of Thomas Brown in Corinth

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Brown Woolen Mill as seen from Palmer Falls circa 1865A fatal mistake on Sunday evening, November 7th, 1869 resulted in the death of Thomas Brown, agent and superintendent of the Palmer Falls Water Power Company and Woolen Factory in Corinth.

Brown, a Scottish immigrant, had come to the area from Niagara Falls as a speculator with plans to improve the water flow on the Hudson River at Palmer Falls. He hoped to sell or lease rights to the abundant waterpower with property along the Hudson to manufacturers. A canal was added to provide hydropower to an edge tool factory operated by Brown in 1860. [Read more…] about The 1869 Shooting of Thomas Brown in Corinth

Scandal on Plum Island: A Commander Accused

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long island history project logoIn 1914, Major Benjamin Koehler faced a court martial on Plum Island, off the eastern end of the North Fork coast of Long Island.  A number of men under his command at the island’s Fort Terry had accused this career officer of immoral conduct. The resulting trial and verdict, after an initial flurry of notice in the press, is largely forgotten now.

Marian Lindberg, a lawyer with the Nature Conservancy and a former journalist, has gone to great lengths to retrieve Major Koehler’s ordeal from obscurity. Her book, Scandal on Plum Island: A Commander Becomes the Accused (East End Press), uncovers the possible motives for the court martial as well as the social and political climate surrounding it. [Read more…] about Scandal on Plum Island: A Commander Accused

Buffalo History Museum Launches New Podcast With Story Of City’s Only Public Execution

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Buffalo History Museum PodcastThe Buffalo History Museum has announced the launch of “Experiencing Our Story” (EOS). Inspired by the Greek goddess of dawn, EOS offers history-based programs through podcasts, videos, virtual events, exhibits, and tours.

EOS programs, including a newly launched podcast, will feature stories about Buffalo and Western New York history, heritage, architecture, and personal accounts directly from the Museum’s professional staff, as well as featured guests.

The first episode features the story of the execution of the three Thayers Brothers, Buffalo’s only public execution. [Read more…] about Buffalo History Museum Launches New Podcast With Story Of City’s Only Public Execution