Classic Book Reader
Cover of True Stories of Crime From the District Attorney's Office

True Stories of Crime From the District Attorney's Office

by Arthur Cheney Train (1875–1945)

  • Free to read
  • 5 hours to read
  • 12 chapters
  • Reading level: 8th & 9th grade

"True Stories of Crime From the District Attorney's Office" by Arthur Cheney Train is a collection of narratives detailing actual criminal cases, published in the early 20th century. The author, who served as the District Attorney of New York County, shares insights and firsthand accounts of various individuals involved in these crimes, aiming to provide an authentic view of crime and punishment while illustrating human nature’s complexities. The opening of the book introduces the case of Mabel Parker, a clever forger who managed to deceive the authorities through her skillful writing and manipulation. It details her arrest after her husband, James Parker, was apprehended for passing bad checks. The narrative explores the complexities of their relationship, her precarious position when the detectives catch up to her, and her eventual confession to having been more instrumental in the forgeries than anyone initially realized. This engaging account sets the tone for the collection, promising a blend of thrilling detective work and human drama.

Read free now No app, no sign-up. Your place is saved automatically. Or download for your e-reader ↓
  • Crime

Read the opening

Chapter I

The Woman in the Case

On a sultry August afternoon in 1903, a dapper, if somewhat anaemic, young man entered the Broadway store of Rogers, Peet & Company, in New York City, and asked to be allowed to look at a suit of clothes. Having selected one to his fancy and arranged for some alterations, he produced from his wallet a check for $280, drawn to the order of George B. Lang, and signed E. Bierstadt, and remarked to the attentive salesman:

"I haven't got quite enough cash with me to pay for these, but I have been intending to cash this check all the afternoon. Of course, you don't know me or even that my name is Lang, but if you will forward the check to the bank they will certify it, and to-morrow I will send for the suit and the balance of the money."

"Certainly, Mr. Lang," replied the salesman. "I will hold the suit and the money to await your orders."

The customer thanked him and took his departure. The check was sent to the bank, the bank certified it, then cancelled its certification and returned the check to Rogers, Peet & Company, and the store detectives, having communicated with Police Headquarters, anxiously awaited the arrival of Mr. Lang's messenger.

Keep reading True Stories of Crime From the District Attorney's Office →

Contents

  1. Preface
  2. Chapter I
  3. Chapter II
  4. Chapter III
  5. Chapter IV
  6. Chapter V
  7. Chapter VI
  8. Chapter VII
  9. Chapter VIII
  10. Chapter IX: A Murder Conspiracy[4]
  11. Chapter X
  12. Chapter XI

Download for your e-reader

Files are provided by Project Gutenberg. On a Kindle, the simplest route is to send the EPUB with Amazon’s Send to Kindle. Downloaded copies don’t sync with your place on Classic Book Reader.

About this edition

This free edition of True Stories of Crime From the District Attorney's Office by Arthur Cheney Train comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #13172, released 2004-08-13. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

More by Arthur Cheney Train