Bunco Artists in Richmond, 1870-1920 - Sharpers, Snatchers, Swindlers, Flimflammers and Other Con Men (Paperback)

A kind of sub-society existed in Richmond, as in other urban areas, of tricksters, swindlers, confidence men and certain thieves. By looking at the lower sort of deception and crime, one can gauge a fringe society. The indefatigable crime reporters of Richmond's newspapers, always with a bit of humor or pathos, give glimpses of a wide variety of misbehavior. Much of the goings-on are derived from the proceedings of the Police Court, which tried misdemeanors and presented felony cases for trial at a higher court. The period under consideration has been describe as the ""Golden Age of the Con"", when hordes of gamblers, thieves, swindlers, and confidence men plied their trade across the country. Richmond proved a fairly accommodating place for the enterprising petty criminal. Of over two dozen activities considered, topics range from clairvoyants to body-snatchers. Special events such as fairs, conventions, and commercial promotions attracted a traveling criminal element to the city. Richmond's tightly-packed population (the most congested city in the United States), the large number of the very poor, and the substantial immigrant population aided the ease of victimization. The under-staffed police had all that they could do to keep up with the chicanery and crime.

General

Imprint:	McFarland & Company
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	March 2017
Authors:	Harry M. Ward
Dimensions:	229 x 152 x 15mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	248
ISBN-13:	978-1-4766-6692-1
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > American history > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > Social sciences > Sociology, social studies > Crime & criminology > General Books > History > American history > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Promotions
LSN:	1-4766-6692-X
Barcode:	9781476666921

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