ABOUT THE BOOK: This book is sure to be savored by those interested in Southern California history. Concentrating on a span of years covering the 1880’s to 1920, Ms. Burnett has uncovered fascinating true stories of death and murder.

READ ABOUT:

• The bandit Sylvestro Morales who robbed and murdered his way through the Southland in 1889 and his capture at the Rancho Los Alamitos.

• Violence and death among the Basque and Mexican sheepherders and sugar beet workers of Southern California.

• Long Beach City Trustees hung in effigy and how their attempt to get rid of a local saloon in 1896 brought about the death of the city.

• How the murder of a Long Beach policeman in 1912 led to additional tragedy and sorrow but also brought about the adoption of modern criminal investigation.

• The kidnapping and torture of a Long Beach youth in 1916 by notorious, insane murderer Harry Thaw, whose killing of famed architect Stanford White made headlines around the world.

LEARN THE ORIGIN OF:

• The towns of Long Beach and Los Alamitos.

• The Pacific Electric “Red Car” and jitney transport systems.

• The Long Beach Municipal Band and Long Beach Police Department.

MEET:

• Lew-is the Light who believed he had a special delivery service to God.

• “Whistling” Davis who refused to bury his dead daughter.

• Cantankerous “Old Man” Ranous, killed and buried in a pile of manure.

• W.L. Jennings, killed by a cat.

• The spirits of murder victims who refused to rest.

• Pete Labourdette, a notorious Los Alamitos saloon keeper, and the murders he worked to cover up.

These are but a few examples from a book you won’t want to put down until the very end.