James Pylant - Sins of the Pioneers : Crimes and Scandals in a Small Texas Town FB2 read book
9780962274664 English 0962274666 When the Civil War ended, many disenchanted Southerners poured into Texas, toting guns and grudges. Shots of whiskey loosened tempers and soon bullets were flying. Within a few years, the Lone Star State has become the nation¿s murder capitol. The small town of Stephenville, where 139 people were hauled to prison between 1864 and 1891, dealt with Comanche warriors, restless outlaws, crime rings, and the ruthless vigilante group known as ¿The Mob.¿ ¿Sins of the Pioneers¿ explores Stephenville¿s emergence from wild frontier to bustling village. Studded with shocking tales (sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant), it tells of crooks, bigamists, prostitutes, saloon brawlers and mysterious murderers. Author James Pylant chronicles John Gilbreath, the intimidating sheriff who bent rules to jail criminals; hell-raising madam Julia Williamson; armless Jack Hollis and his jail escape; horse-thief Jennie Sadler; schemer Gordon Bradshaw and the "accidental" shooting of his wealthy bride; lovely teenaged axe murderess May Bruce; and Annie Cooper, who risked exposing her shady past to rescue a troubled girl.
9780962274664 English 0962274666 When the Civil War ended, many disenchanted Southerners poured into Texas, toting guns and grudges. Shots of whiskey loosened tempers and soon bullets were flying. Within a few years, the Lone Star State has become the nation¿s murder capitol. The small town of Stephenville, where 139 people were hauled to prison between 1864 and 1891, dealt with Comanche warriors, restless outlaws, crime rings, and the ruthless vigilante group known as ¿The Mob.¿ ¿Sins of the Pioneers¿ explores Stephenville¿s emergence from wild frontier to bustling village. Studded with shocking tales (sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant), it tells of crooks, bigamists, prostitutes, saloon brawlers and mysterious murderers. Author James Pylant chronicles John Gilbreath, the intimidating sheriff who bent rules to jail criminals; hell-raising madam Julia Williamson; armless Jack Hollis and his jail escape; horse-thief Jennie Sadler; schemer Gordon Bradshaw and the "accidental" shooting of his wealthy bride; lovely teenaged axe murderess May Bruce; and Annie Cooper, who risked exposing her shady past to rescue a troubled girl.