Murderous Intent?

Claudine Burnett has now written another book 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 amoung 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 Beah youth in 1916 by notorious, insane murderer Harry Thaw, whose killing of famed archtiect 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.