Scoundrels Across American History

Throughout the annals of time, the presence of scoundrels has been a regrettable constant. Unfortunately, history reveals that deceit, trickery, and outright fraud have always been a part of the human experience. In eras past, these unscrupulous individuals often found it easier to evade justice, operating with impunity as they moved from town to town, perpetrating their schemes on unsuspecting populations. The transient nature of society and the relative lack of communication allowed them to exploit communities before their reputations caught up with them.

The allure of the American frontier, particularly during the era of the Old West, provided fertile ground for these individuals. The lack of established institutions and the inherent anonymity of frontier life meant that newcomers were often welcomed without rigorous scrutiny. A fresh start was readily available, and past misdeeds could be conveniently buried. This environment allowed scoundrels to thrive, reinventing themselves and perpetuating their cons on a continuous cycle.

From the shadowy corners of gambling dens to the back alleys where pickpockets plied their trade, American history is replete with examples of these unsavory characters. The following is a glimpse into the lives and deeds of some of the most notorious scoundrels who left their indelible mark on the American landscape, staining its historical tapestry with their misdeeds.

Charles Allen, aka "Big Time Charlie": At the dawn of the 20th century, Denver, Colorado, was a city teeming with both opportunity and vice. Amidst this vibrant, if often morally ambiguous, landscape, Charles Allen, better known as "Big Time Charlie," established and operated a highly lucrative and thoroughly illicit prostitution ring. His enterprise flourished in the underbelly of the city, catering to the desires of a clientele that sought refuge in the shadows. His activities were a stark reflection of the darker side of the American experience, where exploitation and moral compromise were often rampant.

Benedict Arnold (1741-1801): Perhaps one of the most infamous names in American history, Benedict Arnold began his career as a decorated and highly respected American military officer during the Revolutionary War. He served with distinction in the Continental Army, earning the rank of Major General and playing a crucial role in several key victories. However, his ambition and perceived lack of recognition led him down a treacherous path. In 1780, he betrayed his country, defecting to the British side and forever cementing his place as a scoundrel in the American lexicon. His name has become synonymous with treachery and betrayal.

Philip Arnold (1829-1878): The California Gold Rush may have faded into the past, but the allure of striking it rich remained strong. In 1872, Philip Arnold, along with his accomplice John Slack, orchestrated a masterful con known as the Diamond Hoax. They meticulously salted a remote area with diamonds and other precious gems, convincing wealthy investors in San Francisco that they had discovered a veritable treasure trove. The scheme was elaborate and convincing, and Arnold walked away with over half a million dollars, leaving behind a trail of disillusioned and financially devastated victims. This is an example of the many scoundrels that were in American history.

"Dr." Samuel Bennett (1791-1853): The Mississippi River, a vital artery of commerce and transportation in the 19th century, was also a haven for con artists and gamblers. Among the most renowned of these was "Dr." Samuel Bennett, a master of the "thimble rig," a classic sleight-of-hand game that preyed on the gullibility of unsuspecting travelers. He cruised the riverboats, skillfully manipulating the thimbles and enticing victims to wager their money, rarely losing a game. Bennett was a prime example of the scoundrels who thrived in the unregulated environment of the river.

Lou "The Fixer" Blonger (1849-1924): Denver, Colorado, continued to attract individuals seeking to exploit the vulnerabilities of others. Lou Blonger, the leader of the Blonger Brothers, was the mastermind behind an extensive network of confidence tricksters that operated for over 25 years. His organization specialized in elaborate schemes designed to separate unsuspecting victims from their money. Blonger’s influence permeated the city’s underworld, making him a formidable figure in the landscape of American scoundrels.

Albert John Bothwell (1855-1928): The vast open ranges of Wyoming were a battleground for power and resources in the late 19th century. Albert John Bothwell, a self-proclaimed cattle baron, was a key instigator of the infamous Johnson County War, a violent conflict between large cattle ranchers and smaller homesteaders. His actions, driven by greed and a desire to maintain control over the land, resulted in bloodshed and lasting animosity, solidifying his reputation as a scoundrel in the history of the American West.

John R. Brinkley: In the early 20th century, the promise of renewed vitality and vigor was a tempting lure for aging men. Physician John Brinkley capitalized on this desire, offering a controversial procedure that involved implanting goat testicles into men to restore their virility. From 1917 through the 1930s, he made millions of dollars from this practice, despite its lack of scientific basis and the potential for harm. Brinkley’s actions were a testament to the power of quackery and the willingness of some to exploit the desperation of others.

Edward "Big Ed" Burns: The boomtowns of the Old West were magnets for both fortune seekers and those who sought to prey upon them. Edward "Big Ed" Burns was a conman and crime boss who operated in some of the most notorious camps, including Leadville, Colorado, and Benson, Arizona. He ran a bunko gang, preying on unsuspecting miners and gamblers. His association with the infamous Soapy Smith Gang in Denver further solidified his reputation as a dangerous and unscrupulous individual.

John Chivington: On November 29, 1864, Colonel John Chivington led a devastating attack on a peaceful Cheyenne and Arapaho village at Sand Creek, Colorado. The resulting massacre, in which some 150 women, children, and elderly were slaughtered, remains one of the darkest chapters in American history. Chivington’s actions, driven by racial prejudice and a thirst for military glory, cemented his legacy as a scoundrel of immense proportion.

George H. Devol: Known as perhaps the greatest riverboat gambler in the history of the Mississippi River, George H. Devol was also a notorious con artist, a skilled fighter, and a master manipulator. He skillfully extracted money from unsuspecting passengers, using his charm and cunning to gain their trust before relieving them of their fortunes. Devol’s exploits became legendary, solidifying his place in the pantheon of American scoundrels.

James DeWolf: James DeWolf was a slave trader, privateer during the War of 1812, and a state and national politician. DeWolf was the leading figure in the most active slave-importing family in American history. Part of an elite Rhode Island clan, he enjoyed a life of extreme luxury paid for by the suffering of others.

James Joshua Dolan: One of the primary instigators of New Mexico’s Lincoln County War, James Dolan, attempted to control the economy of Lincoln County in the 1870s.

Mike Fink: An excellent marksman, Fink soon gained a deadly reputation for demonstrating his shooting skills by shooting beer mugs off people’s heads.

Johnson Gallagher: Johnson Gallagher, Gambler

"Swiftwater" Bill Gates: An American frontiersman and fortune hunter, Gates became a fixture in the Klondike Gold Rush. Making a fortune, he squandered it drinking, gambling, and getting married multiple times (when he was already married.)

Mildred Gillars: From 1942 to 1945, the voice of frustrated actress Mildred Gillars was beamed worldwide from war-torn Europe. Dubbed “Axis Sally” by the Allies, Gillars would become one of the most reviled Americans of her time for her anti-Semitic rants as a German propagandist.

Isaac Harris and Max Blanck: On March 25, 1911, the greed of New York sweatshop owners Isaac Harris and Max Blanck resulted in the deaths of 146 workers in the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire.

H.H. Holmes: Better known by Dr. Henry Howard Holmes or, more commonly, H. H. Holmes, Mudgett was a prolific serial killer who operated in the late 19th century.

William “Canada Bill” Jones: One of the greatest cardsharps in history, Jones practiced his three-card monte hustle on the Mississippi River.

Andrew P. Kehoe: Self-Centered and downright evil, Kehoe is responsible for the worst attack on a school in U.S. History at Bath Township, Michigan, in 1927.

James “Umbrella Jim” Miner: One of the best-known shell game men on the Mississippi River, James Miner was called “Umbrella Jim” for his habit of beginning his con game under an umbrella.

Lawrence Murphy: An Irishman who immigrated to the United States, Murphy was a Civil War Veteran, cattleman, and businessman whose greed ultimately spawned New Mexico’s Lincoln County War.

Alfred G. Packer: Prospector and guide in the Rocky Mountains during the 1870s, Alfred Packer confessed to cannibalism during the winter of 1874.

John Frederick Parker: A Washington D.C. Police Officer who was one of four men detailed to act as United States President Abraham Lincoln’s bodyguards on April 14, 1865, the night Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre.

Pirates: Pirates and piracy on the high seas are almost as old as history itself. Long before the first permanent English settlement was established at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, piracy flourished off the North American coast.

John Slack: Along with Phillip Arnold, Slack was one of the perpetrators of the 1872 Diamond Hoax in San Francisco, California.

Jefferson Randolph “Soapy” Smith II: The most famous bunko man in the Old West, Smith was a con artist and gangster who had a significant hand in the organized criminal affairs and operations of Denver and Creede, Colorado, as well as Skagway, Alaska from 1879 to 1898.

William Stoughton: Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Stoughton was the homicidal judge who presided over the Salem witch trials of 1692.

Al Swearengen: Al Swearengen was a terrible man who ran a saloon in Deadwood, South Dakota.

Edward Teach, aka Blackbeard: Blackbeard, more than any other, can be called North Carolina’s own pirate.

William Thompson: Operating in the 1840s, Thompson was a con artist whose deceptions caused the term “confidence man” to be coined.

William B. “Lucky Bill” Thornton: A proficient shell game operator who plied his “trade” in California and Nevada.