The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Washington, DC by Ron Franscell

Oh, I have mentioned author Ron Franscell here before.  In fact, he is one of the few authors that I will buy his books, just because of the author.  He writes FASCINATING crime guides to specific places, and he gives addresses.

Well, I realized I had never read his "Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Washington, DC" yet!

These are just easy to read books.  Ron gives ya a brief description of the crime, he tells you where it happened and thats it.  You can google more about specific cases and you can googlemap the location.  His books are often a starting point to find out more about a case.

This particular volume covered a lot of ground.  The first/main section is on Washington DC.  There is another section on the Lincoln Assassination.  A third section covers Maryland and the last section is devoted to Arlington National Cemetery.

I enjoy reading about the Civil War, and I was glad to see multiple references to Dan Sickles.  Several recent crimes were covered in the book too.  Some really strange topics Franscell gets in to include Watergate, the Bunny Man legend, a stolen skull, and, one of my favorite characters in history, Robert Todd Lincoln (who is nearby during more presidential assassinations than just his dad's).

The book is packed and oozing with strange crime cases.  It gets my highest recommendation!

 

"The Petersen House: The Oldroyd Museum and the House Where Lincoln Died" by Alan E. Hunter

When my pal Alan Hunter mentioned that he would be writing a book on the Petersen House in Washington D.C., I knew it was going to be something special.

I have mentioned Alan here several times before.  He does a GREAT weekly column for the Weekly View (out of Indianapolis IN) that you need to check out.

He also does the yearly ghost walk in Irvington Indiana.  If you have never done that, what is wrong with you?!?!!?  

If you have any interest in true crime and ghosts at all, you need to make sure you do this!  Alan knows his stuff, and he can link just about every scary person you can name to this town.  He actually doesn't disclose this often (though he does mention it in one of his books) but he crossed paths with one of Indianapolis' most infamous.  OH, and there is a GREAT President Lincoln connection that he ends the tour with...  but enough of that for now!

Alan has authored some of the best "Haunted" books I know of too.

BUT, I wanted to mention his latest work here- "The Petersen House:  The Oldroyd Museum and the House Where Lincoln Died".  If you are interested in Lincoln at all, you are going to want to track this one down.  In fact, its not that hard to find Alan E. Hunter on line and you can do what I did- order a nice signed copy directly from him!  Go ahead, you need this one for your collection!

Alan is obsessed with getting all of the interesting bits of information down.  Sure, we all know the story....  Ford's Theatre, Booth, the conspirators, etc.......  but the house where Lincoln was taken to after the shooting and dies is sometimes a forgotten character in the story.  Well, Alan has found lots of pictures, postcards, tickets, and other ephemera- and he has put those pieces together in this volume to tell the story of this home.

I don't want to give too much away, but Hunter gives some great nuggets of info to the reader starting with his description of the cover illustration.  He had me thinking about a somewhat obscure painter before I even started the book!

He tells you all about the building, its career as THE museum on Lincoln for some time and its evolving life from the time of Lincoln's visit until today.

Like I said, Alan Hunter loves those interesting bits of information that make you stop and think.  He lets you know about what became of the bed and pillow from that dark night.  He tells you to take notice of this person or that person, almost anonymously standing by the home in an old postcard and he tells you about their significance.  

Oh, if you are familiar with the entire story of the Lincoln assassination, you surely know the name Rathbone.  Well, I had no idea that the Rathbone name would factor in to the history of the Petersen home decades later.

I honestly could go on and on.  I am so glad to see a new book on Lincoln with new information.  Hunter's book on the Petersen House gets my highest recommendation.

 

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President" by Candice Millard

Candice Millard has written a very interesting and enjoyable book on the assassination of POTUS #20
, James Garfield.

This book was very easy to read with good detail and great descriptions of the characters involved.

The very basic story involves a humble politician from Ohio, James Garfield, going to the Republican convention in 1880 to nominate another politician (there is a very cool Civil War connection here).  Well, as the convention goes along, Garfield ends up getting the nomination and later the title of President.

Unfortunately, after becoming president, an assassin strikes and shoots Garfield.  Garfield does not immediately die, but he does eventually pass away after some very questionable medical care.

Garfield's life intersects with many interesting players, and each is fascinating.  Alexander Bell offers assistance to Garfield's medical team.  Abraham Lincoln's son, Robert Todd is on the scene.  Sadly, he finds himself present during several Presidential assassinations.

Charles Guiteau, the villain of the story, obviously makes a strong appearance.  The author's description of him and his behavior really give a vivid image of a mentally ill assassin.  Guiteau literally thought he would be viewed as a hero after the shooting.

The author does a fine job of telling this story in a very understandable way for a modern reader.  Sure, most of us know the name James Garfield, and we might even know a little about him, but Millard's writing makes him human and relatable.  You appreciate him more after reading "Destiny of the Republic".  AND, the reader feels robbed of the fact that his life was cut short.

Ron Franscell's "Crime Buff's Guide To Outlaw..." Series

I read a lot of books on travel, and I really enjoy reading the non-traditional travel books.  I like the Haunted and Off the Beaten Path type volumes.

So, I downloaded Ron Franscell's "Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Arizona" not too long ago.  I was able to download it for free through Amazon Prime.  Anybody else out there getting the free books to borrow from Amazon Prime?  They have been hit or miss (mostly huge misses, to be honest).  THIS was a hit though!

Ron has a certain boldness many other's who write about true crime do not have.  He gives specific addresses and coordinates to sites he talks about!  And, he does not subscribe to the "its too soon" way of thinking.  He covers the old crimes, and the very recent ones.

I picked up a physical copy of "The Crime Buff's Guide to Outlaw Washington DC" after reading the book on Arizona.  I enjoyed it just as much.  I have a huge personal preference for actual books (paper, glue and cardboard) ESPECIALLY when it comes to a guide like this.  I will be getting all of these guides and I want them all on my travel book shelf.  I can quickly pick them up, make notes in them, put newspaper clippings inside of them, etc.  I will take the book with me when I travel to that location, and it will become somewhat of a souvenir when I get back.

I think most of us are interested in visiting crime scenes, to be honest.  There is something moving about visiting a place like Ford's Theater.  In the introduction to the guide, Franscell mentions, "Being there is not just a good way to understand history, but in some places, it helps you grasp the desperation and the loneliness of the people who were there before you, especially in places where our imagination, myth, and history entangle.  Places where the past exists just beneath the surface of the present."

The guides by Ron Franscell serve as a great intro to the strangeness that has occurred in an area.  Even if you have no plans of visiting the specific sites, you might want to know just a little bit about the local legendary crimes.  The Washington DC book gives a very nice, and very short section to the Lincoln Assassination, and the Watergate Scandal (among many other lesser known crimes).

This might be the brief bit of information a leisurely researcher might want, and it might be a nice starting point for someone just developing an interest in researching these events.  Franscell also makes suggestions for further research and reading.  I kept a pencil and paper handy as I read.  Some places and events I wanted to look up at a different time.

This is easily my favorite newer series of books to come out in sometime.  I hope Ron plans on covering more areas soon!

http://www.ronfranscell.com/books/

The White House, Washington, DC

"The White House was designed by James Hoban.  Washington selected this site, laid the cornerstone, October 13, 1792, and lived to see the building completed.  John Adams was the first occupant in 1800."

Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC

The bottom postcard was sent in 1929.  You may have purchased stamps with these same images on them.

The Shoreham Hotel- Washington, DC

I found this cool postcard sent in 1955 recently.  I love the postmark and bright red Franklin stamps on the back!

Union Station, Washington, DC

Train Concourse, Union Station, Washington DC.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC

Allow me to get a bit more personal than usual on this post.

My father is a Vietnam Veteran and I have total respect for all of our men and women in the military.  I know it is a bit of a cliche for someone to say that they appreciate their service, but I do appreciate all of their service.  I can't say this enough.

There are no names on the Wall of people I have known personally, but there was one in particular that I wanted to look for.

One of my dad's friend's died while serving.  My time on this planet and his missed each other by about a decade.  However, we share the same first name by no coincidence.

Sometimes, when I go back home, my dad and I drive to a certain rural area.  We drive by an old church where I grew up, and where I got married.  Next to that church a cemetery.  In that cemetery is the grave of my dad's friend that I mentioned earlier.

I really wanted to find the name of the person whose grave I have visited often but never met.  I was concerned I might not be able to find his among the more than 58,000 listed.

The rangers in the area were very helpful though.  It is actually very easy to find the location of the name you are looking for.

There are a couple of books listing those names on the wall alphabetically, then showing their coordinates.

In fact, one very sweet ranger came over as I was looking for the name I wanted to find, and helped me pinpoint the exact location.  She then offered to do a rubbing for me.

I really appreciate that rubbing of the name of my dad's friend.

As with any war, we still feel it's ripples.  If you have a loved one who was there, you especially do.  AND, when you hear first hand stories about horrible things that happened there, that affects you too.  The pain can be felt for a lifetime, and it can be so great that it bleeds over into a second generation.

Ford's Theatre Washington DC

Possibly one of the most overwhelming places we have ever visited was Ford's Theatre during our recent trip to DC.

History changed in way swill will never know at this spot.  The assasination of Abe Lincoln was just a massive event.

I don't think you can over estimate the importance of Lincoln and his mark in history.  His birthsite, where he grew up, where he is burried, and where he died are all National Parks.

We bought our tickets and went to enjoy the short two man play "One Destiny".

We seated ourselves and enjoyed just being there.  There is something mystical about the place.

During the play, the characters mentioned feeling haunted by the events of the day.

I think we are still in many ways haunted by what happened.  None of us were around when it happened, but it is still a strange and sad event.

Even the historc figures associated with the assasin Booth and his capture are odd.  Look up the stories on Boston Corbett (he disappears from history) and Lincoln's friend at the play that night, Henry Rathbone.  There are other fascinating characters too.

"One Destiny" was really good.  The two actors play an actor and the owner of Ford's Theatre from the time Lincoln was shot.  They discuss some of the co-conspirators and their thoughts and motivations.  They kind of play out scenerios trying to figure the whole thing out.  They seem to have some guilt that they could not predict what Booth was up to.

As they play through the moments just before the shooting (the actor reluctantly goes through the lines of "Our American Cousin") you can feel the tension.  A shot is heard and a light flashes form the actual box where Lincoln sat.

"One Destiny" is a very nice play relating to the assasination and Ford's Theatre.  It gives almost any visitor the opportunity to see an actual performance during their visit to the landmark.

Right across the street from Ford's is the Petersen House, which is part of the tour.  You can see the actual room where President Lincoln died.

The museum there is great too.  Various items relating to Booth and his conspirators were on display, including pieces of the four ropes used in the hanging of the other four convicted.

Smokey Bear in Washington, DC

The Forest Service has a very nice visitor center in DC where you can actually see an anamatronic Smokey Bear!

We stopped by to visit Smokey!



The very kind ranger told us a bit about Smokey and his story.

The center had several cool freebies too, including a VERY cool retro comic about Smokey and some postcards!

US Capitol, Washington DC, 1939

The postcard showing the Capitol on top was sent in 1939!  The middle postcard is undated, and the bottom photo I took in May 2012!

Korean War Memorial Washington, DC

The Newseum, Washington, DC

Several friends who have been to DC said that a stop at the Newseum was a must.

The Newseum is not part of the other Smithsonian Museums in the area, and it is also one of the rare museums in the area that is not free.

We took the advice of our friends and checked the place out.

The newseum is incredible.  Every inch of the place is interesting.

We were impressed to see a huge section of the Berlin Wall on the first floor.

The Newseum has a large display of relics relating to true crime.  The unibomber's cabin and many other items connected to major criminal events were there.

There are a couple of impressive large displays relating to 9/11, including newspaper covers from the day after the attacks.  Personal items from some of the victims were there also and it was very emotional seeing them.  Cell phones from the site (with the write up about how rescuers heard them ringing for several days) were displayed in a case.  The museum actually had tissue out as you walked through the display.

Obviously, news and the way news is reported is a big part of the Newseum.  Many papers (new and very old) were there.  The current days paper is displayed on your way in, so the Newseum is updated daily.

A news studio is inside the Newseum.  There is a lot of activity there, and during the orientation video before your tour, they show a clip of President Obama walking out of the studio.

Another display that I enjoyed was on the top floor.  Various political buttons, signs and other items could be viewed.  Various gifts presented to presidents were displayed (like a football jersey presented to Ronald Reagan).

They also had several props and costumes from Saturday Night Live presidential parodies.  A TV next to the props showed the actual SNL videos.

Oh, I enjoyed the "4-D" movie they show too!  They have prepared a very cool film about some interesting moments in history and it is in very vivid 3-D.

http://www.newseum.org/

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum- Washington DC

I did want to mention that we stopped by the Holocaust Museum while in Washington DC.

Obviously, this is a bit of a unique museum, in that you don't leave feeling good or upbeat.  The museum focuses on a very sad moment in very recent world history.

I personally had a professor in college who left Germany with his family when he was about 6.  He was Jewish and he told me about the things he actually witnessed.  They left and came to the US before things really broke out.  Sadly, once in the US, his family was hated for being German.  He watched Germans beat his dad up for being Jewish, and he watched Americans beat his dad up for being German.

Through talking to witnesses and reading, I know a good deal about this point in history.  What I saw at the museum was not a surprise to me personally, but it is always shocking.

While at the Holocaust museum, I was reading a display about some of the things that happened.  Another person was reading the same display and gasped.  I felt the same way when I first learned about this.

Before we started our tour, we watched a short film about victims and their liberators towards the end of WWII.

As we left the theater, I overheard some kids talking amongst themselves about how boring the movie was.  I know, kids have short attention spans, but I still felt hurt about this.  I hope parents that are taking their children to see something like this explain it to them, and work with them to make the most of their time at the museum.

And the museum was delicate about this.  They do have exhibits for younger kids.  One video area that was especially graphic was made to where you had to look over a tall fence to see the video.  No small person would be able to see it.

There are a few exhibits here that stay with you.  There are the shoes.  Actual shoes taken from people before they were murdered. 

There were stories of the hair shaved from the heads of the victims, sold and used like a product.

I will remember one photo in particular of a crying disabled child, taken moments before that child was murdered.

There was actual luggage packed for the relocation, by people unaware of what was about to happen to them.

I could go on and on.

Anyway, there are certain places you have to see in DC, and this is one of them.  I would also make this a place that you must visit at some point in your lifetime.

http://www.ushmm.org/

Let me also put a mention in of the "Remember Me?" project the Museum is doing through their site.  They have posted photos taken of affected by the Holocaust after the War.  There are updates posted, when they occur.  anyway, check it out as there are still mysteries surrounding these children.

http://rememberme.ushmm.org/

Natural History Museum, Washington, DC

This is definitely one of those museums that speaks for itself, and I don't have much to say about it.

I did want to say though that this was amazing and we agreed that this was a top attraction on our trip.  I would rank this over most of the other museums we have been to ever.

The sections on evolution and the dinosaur skeletons were top notch.

On a very personal note, seeing a giant squid made my knees wobble!  I love the giant squid!