The Murder of Mary Bean


Cover, 'Confession of George Hamilton,' 1852

Cover, 'Confession of George Hamilton,' 1852
Item 29273   info
Maine Historical Society

While young women were inevitably the victims in these salacious tales, young men were cautioned as well.

The new cities were seen as dangerous places where young men could be duped by “confidence men” who appeared to be mentors but were in reality focused only on dragging youth down a path of drunkenness, gambling and crime.

Stating that these sensational tales were published only to guide and protect impressionable youth, publishers churned out thousands of these tales, making good money on the latest “shocking crime” or “horrible tragedy.”

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