Historic Newspapers: Trials - Famous & Infamous!

LEOMINSTER DAILY ENTERPRISE, Massachusetts, April 11, 1961

* Adolph Eichmann trial begins
* Jewish mass murderer
* World War II Nazi

This 10 page newspaper has a nice banner headline on the front page: "Eichmann Challenges Rights of Three Judges" with subhead: "Israel Opens His Trial In Fortress"

Tells of the start of the trial against Adolph Eichmann, 'the architect of the Holocaust"

Other news of the day. Good condition.

wikipedia notes: Otto Adolf Eichmann (March 19, 1906…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, July 20, 1875  

* Mountain Meadows Massacre
* Mormons - Mormonism trial
* John D. Lee - Brigham Young
* Trial of the conspirators begins

The bottom of the front page has a brief report: "The Mountain Meadow Trial Fixed For Tuesday" with a dateline from Beaver, Utah.
The Mountain Meadows Massacre was a series of attacks during the Utah War that resulted in the mass murder of at least 120 members of an emigrant wagon train, occurring in the southern Utah Territory at Mountain…

SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN, Massachusetts, December 5, 1921 

* Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle  murder trial 
* Hung jury verdict 
* Virginia Rappe 

This 16 page newspaper has two column headlines on the front page that include: "ARBUCKLE JURY FAILS TO AGREE; DISCHARGED" and more. (see)

Tells of the hung jury causing a mistrial in the 1st trial of the Fatty Arbuckle murder case.

Other news of the day. Light browning with minor margin wear, otherwise good.

wikipedia notes: Arbuckle was…

NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 9, 1859  

* John Brown's insurrection - invasion - raid
* Harpers Ferry WV, West Virginia trial

Much of the front page is taken up with election results. Page 4 has over half a column headed: "The Harper's Ferry Outbreak" "Proceedings of the Court--The Case of Copeland--Trial of Cook--His Confession Read in Court--Stephens Handed Over to the Federal Authorities for Trial".
Eight pages, a bit irregular at the spine with one indent net the bottom, good condition.

…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 26, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln Murder - Trial of the conspirators
* re. Jefferson Davis capture - Woman's clothes dispute

The entire front page and over half of the back page are taken up with very detailed and verbatim accounts of those called to give testimony in the trial of the Lincoln assassins.
The front page first column heads include: "TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Full Report of the Proceedings on Thursday" "Testimony to the Cruel Treatment of Our Prisoners in…

NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 14, 1949 

* Smith Act trials of Communist Party leaders
* Socialists - socialism - guilty verdict coming

The top of the front page has heads on the Smith Act trials of Communist party leaders, with: "Jury Holds Fate of 11 Reds; Judge In His Charge Warns Communism Is Not On Trial" with various related subheads & a photo as well (see). This issue reports the first of several trials, one of the lengthiest trials in American history. The defendants were accused of…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, November 20, 1945

* Nuremberg trials officially opens 
* High ranking Nazi officials 
* Hermann Goering amongst others 
* War crimes against humanity 

The front page has a two column heading: "Top Nazis Go on Trial Today; Nuernberg Heavily Guarded" with small photo of Ernst Kaltenbrunner. (see images)
Complete with 38 pages, light toning at the margins, small binding holes along the spine, generally nice.

Background:The Nuremberg Trials officially began on…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, New York, NY, September 29, 1934

* Lindbergh baby kidnapping trial
* Bruno Hauptmann

This 34 page newspaper has a three column headline on the front page: "BLADE MADE BY HAUPTMANN FOUND HIDDEN IN HIS CELL; INSANITY PLEA IS FORECAST" with many subheads. Much more inside.

Light browning, otherwise in good condition.

wikipedia notes: Hauptmann was charged with kidnapping and murder. Conviction on even one charge could earn him the death penalty. He pleaded not…

NEW YORK TIMES, April 21, 1868  

* President Andrew Johnson
* Reconstruction era impeachment trial

The entire front page is taken up with reports on the Johnson impeachment trial, with first column heads: "IMPEACHMENT" "Further Testimony Offered by the Prosecution" "All the Evidence Submitted and the Case Closed" "Arguments to be Commenced on Wednesday" "The Impeachment Trial".
Page 4 has an editorial on the impeachment trial, as well as: "The Issue In Impeachment".
Eight pages, minor light foxing,…

THE KNICKERBOCKER PRESS, Albany, New York, March 13, 1935

* Albert H. Fish trial - creepy acts
* Serial killer, child rapist and cannibal
* "The Boogey Man" - "Gray Man"
* "Brooklyn Vampire" - "Werewolf of Wysteria"

The top of page 4 has a one column heading: "FISH TRIAL OPENS; TO PLEAD INSANITY" with subhead. (see images) 
Complete with 18 pages, light toning and some wear at the margins, generally good.
 
Background:On March 11, 1935, the trial of Albert Fish, one of the most…

NEW YORK DAILY TRIBUNE, August 26, 1865

* Horace Greeley letter - his opinion of African Americans
* Andersonville prison trial... Henry Wirz

The most historically significant content is the intriguing letter on page 4: "A Letter To the Hon. A. O. P. Nicholson", signed in type: H. G., for Horace Greeley.
Following the end of the Civil War, this discussion addressed the physical, intellectual, and emotional condition of African Americans now that they were free. The exchange with Nicholson, often…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 24, 1945

* Josef Kramer & Irma Grese amongst others
* Bergen-Belsen trial begins - World War II
* Concentration camp leaders - war crimes 
* Jewish Holocaust  - exterminations - atrocities
* Gas chamber survivor Sophie Litwinska 

The top of page 12 has a one column heading: "OSWIECIM VICTIM ACCUSES GERMAN" with subhead. Also a five column photo with heading: "Their Numbers Are Up: Nazi War Criminals On Trial In Germany" (see images)
Complete in 42 pages,…

THE BETHLEHEM GLOBE, Pennsylvania, June 13, 1925  The top of the ftpg. has 2 column heads on the famous John Scopes "monkey" trial over the teaching of evolution in school: "SCOPES, EVOLUTION DEFENDANT, TURNS DOWN BIG FORTUNE" with subheads: "Movie Concern Said to Have Offered Him $50,000 to Act" "Prefers Trial" "Many Newspapermen to be at Dayton, Tenn., For the Trial".
The trial would begin in July 10. Complete in 8 pages, very nice condition.

THE SCRANTON REPUBLICAN, Scranton, Pennsylvania, 1881  A lot of four issues, each with front page column heads concerning the Guiteau trial for assassinating President Garfield. The ftpg. heads include for Nov. 22: "Guiteau's Trial" "Beginning of the Defense"; Dec. 3: "Guiteau's Trial" "The Assassin Pushed to the War"; Dec. 5: "Guideau's Trial" "Emory Storrs Upon the Stand"; Oct. 15: "Guiteau In Court" "The Assassin Pleads Not Guilty" plus there are many subheads in each issue (see).
Each is…

DAILY WORKER, New York, March 20, 1956 

* Montgomery, Alabama bus boycott trial
* Only 3 of 93 Negro leaders have charges dropped
* Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.

The top of the front page has: "Voids Charge Against 3 of 93 in Alabama Trial" which begins: "The mass trial of Negro bus boycott leaders began today... Alabama judge Eugene Carter dismissed charges against three defendants, but ordered that individual trials against 90 others get underway at once." The article continues:…

NEW YORK TIMES, Oct. 15, 1949 

* Smith Act trials of Communist Party leaders
* Socialists - socialism - guilty verdict (1st report)

The top of the front page has five column headline on the Smith Act trials of Communist party leaders, with: "11 COMMUNISTS CONVICTED OF PLOT; MEDINA TO SENTENCE THEM FRIDAY; 6 OF COUNSEL JAILED IN CONTEMPT" with various related subheads & a photo as well. Much more on the following pages.
This issue reports the first of several trials, one of the…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, May 6, 1934

* Outlaw John Dillinger hunted
* Fostoria, Ohio bank robbery
* Chicago racketeering trial - longest criminal trial to-date
* Sapiro and 16 others acquitted

The top of page 2 has a one column heading: "DILLINGER HUNT TURNS TO OHIO AFTER ROBBERY" with subheads.
The front page has the full banner heading: "FREE ALL 17 IN RACKET TRIAL", which tells of the verdict in what at the time was the longest criminal trial to-date. Several related photos are…

NEW YORK HERALD, New York, May 28, 1865 

* Kirby Smith Surrenders
* Formal end of Civil War
* Trial of the conspirators

Among the first column heads reporting on the trial of those who conspired to murder the President: "THE TRIAL" "Atzerott Prowling About for President Johnson" "Efforts to Impeach the Credibility of the Witnesses for the Prosecution" "Dr. Mudd's Connection With the Rebels" and "What His Negroes Say On The Subject"
Testimony on the trial takes the entire front page &…

NEW YORK TIMES, April, 12, 1868 

* President Andrew Johnson
* Reconstruction era impeachment trial

The entire front page and much of the back page are taken up with reports on Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial with column heads: "IMPEACHMENT" "The Re-Examination of Gen. Thomas" "Several Remarkable Corrections to His Former Testimony" "Examination of Gen. Sherman" "Sharp Debate Between Stanbery and Butler" "A Part of Gen. Sherman's Testimony Ruled Out by the Senate" "The Impeachment…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 19, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
* Loads of testimony in court

Among the front page first column heads are: "THE TRIAL OF THE ASSASSINS" "Full Report of the Proceedings & Evidence of Thurs." "A Plan for Destroying; Northern Ships & Towns Sent to Jeff. Davis"  & more.
This trial coverage carries over to the back page.
Eight pages, evenly toned throughout, slightly irregular at the blank spine from disbinding, good condition.

Backgrou…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 31, 1865  

* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the assassins - traitors

All of page 1 and most of page 2 are taken up with: "THE CONSPIRACY" "Trial Of The Accused" "Saturday's Proceedings Continued" with a great wealth of verbatim testimony.
Page 3 has various end-of-war reports.
Great to have this content in a newspaper from the nation's capital.
Four pages, large folio size, minor tears at the margins. Folder size noted is…

NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 31, 1865  

* Andersonville Prison - Camp Sumter
* Captain Henry Wirz trial - Georgia

The front page has much on the trial of Captain Wirz. Wirz was a Confederate Army officer during the Civil War. He was the commandant of Andersonville Prison, a Confederate prisoner-of-war camp in Georgia where nearly 13,000 Union Army prisoners of war died as a result of inhumane conditions. After the war, Wirz was tried and executed for conspiracy and murder relating to his command of the…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, October 12, 1931 

* Al 'Scarface' Capone - gangster - mob boss
* Famous tax evasion trial w/ much testimony
* Best title to be had - very rare as such

The front page has a one column heading regarding the two-week long trial of notorious gangster Al "Scarface" Capone: "U. S. TO TRACE CAPONE'S RISE IN TRIAL TODAY" with subhead. (see)
This was one of the most famous criminal trials of the 20th century, and certainly of the Prohibition era. Al Capone was the head…

COLUMBIAN CENTINEL, Boston, Dec. 30, 1812  Page 2 has an interesting report, taking about half a column, beginning: "...proceedings at Buffaloe, of a Court Martial appointed to try Elijah Clark as a Spy. The facts which appeared at the trial are that the said Clark was born in New Jersey...he removed to Canada...must have become naturalized & a British subject. Clark, being found within the American Lines since the declaration of war--was arrested, tried, found guilty as a Spy, and sentenced…

THE RALEIGH TIMES, N.C, June 19, 1970

* Charles Manson "Helter Skelter" murders trial begins
* Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Leslie Van Houten
* Sharon Tate - LaBianca gruesome killings w/ knives

The top of page 6 has a four column heading: "Manson Talks to Newsmen" with lead-in: "'I Don't Have Any Guilt'" and rare photo showing Manson with his lawyer in the courtroom. (see images)
Complete with 32 pages, light toning at the margins, some small binding holes along the spine,…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 14, 1935

* Albert H. Fish court trial
* Serial killer, child rapist and cannibal
* "The Boogey Man" - "Gray Man"
* "Brooklyn Vampire" - "Werewolf of Wysteria"

The top of the back page has a one column heading: "FISH 'CONFESSION' IS READ TO JURORS" with subheads. (see) I suspect this is one of the few publications to report this particular event as other titles in our inventory do not, probably because he committed his crimes locally. Rare as such.
Other…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Feb. 20, 1946

* Nuremberg trials - Germany - Nazis 
* “Presentation of Documentary Evidence”
* Jewish holocaust - Atrocities against Jews 
* Films showing mass murders at camps

The top of page 6 has a one column heading: "FILMS BACK CHARGE OF GERMAN CRIMES" with subhead. (see images)
Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Complete with all 46 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

Background:On February 19, 1946, during the Nuremberg Trials, the…

NEW YORK TIMES, Sept. 3, 1865

* Andersonville Prison - Camp Sumter
* Captain Henry Wirz trial - Georgia

The ftpg. has reports concerning the trial of Henry Wirz, the warden of the infamous Andersonville, Georgia, prison camp from during the Civil War.
First column heads include: "TRIAL OF CAPT. WIRZ" "Details of the Proceedings on Saturday" "Testimony of a Prisoner of the Illinois Cavalry" "How Wirz Shot the Sick and Disabled" "He Boats of Killing More Yankees than Gen. Lee Can" "The…

THE CLEVELAND LEADER, Cleveland, Ohio, November 18, 1881

* Charles Guiteau trial begins
* James A. Garfield assassination

The front page has one column headlines that include: "THE GREAT TRIAL", "It is Formally Opened by the District Attorney", "Guiteau's Counsel Discovery the Meaning of 'Stalwart'", "The Assassin Defies the Court and All Hands" 
and more (see photos). This is 1st report coverage on the opening of the Charles Guiteau trial for the murder of President James A.…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, March 11, 1935

* Albert H. Fish trial - creepy acts
* Serial killer, child rapist and cannibal
* "The Boogey Man" - "Gray Man"
* "Brooklyn Vampire" - "Werewolf of Wysteria"

The top of page 11 has a one column heading: "FISH ON TRIAL EVE, WOUNDS HIMSELF" with subheads. (see images) I suspect this is one of the few publications to report this particular event as other titles in our inventory do not, probably because he committed his crimes locally and didn't become…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., June 14, 1865

* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
* re. Abraham Lincoln's assassination

The top of the front page has: "THE CONSPIRACY" "TRIAL OF THE ACCUSED" "Proceedings Of Monday, June 12". Three columns are taken up with verbatim questions and answers.
This very detailed & lengthy coverage continues to take almost all of page 2 as well.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, large folio size, minor wear at the margins, generally in good…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, Sept. 2, 1883 

* Outlaw Frank James
* Jesse James gang
* Gallatin trial ending

Page 4 has most of a column headed: "NEARING THE END" "Th Trial of Frank James at Gallatin Drawing to a Close" "Testimony All In and Arguments to Begin Monday" "The Court's Order Concerning Instructions t the Jury--Mrs. Hite's Toilet on the Witness Stand". This is coverage of Frank James murder/robbery trial. He would be acquitted.
Sixteen pages, very nice condition.

THE CHARLESTON DAILY NEWS, South Carolina, March 17, 1868 

* President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial

The front page has column heads: "The Impeachment  Trial" "Last Friday's Proceedings" "Exciting Scenes in Washington" "Opening of the Court of Impeachment" "Appearance of the Senate Chamber--The President Requests to be Allowed Forty Days to Prepare for Trial..." with more. the coverage takes over half of the front page.
Four pages, good condition.

CONCORD DAILY MONITOR, New Hampshire, May 19, 1865 

* Abraham Lincoln assassination
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins

Page 2 begins with a nice editorial: "The Death of President Lincoln in the English Parliament".
Other notable reports within: "The Trial of the Conspirators" "Important; Evidence" "Davis Implicated" "President's Proclamation" regarding amnesty to those in the South; "Union Meeting in Raleigh" "Trial of the Conspirators" "Forest Killed" "Jeff. Davis' Route" and…

NEW YORK TIMES, May 28, 1865

* Last of the Confederate forces surrender 
* Formal end of the American Civil War
* re. Abraham Lincoln assassination 
* Trial of the conspirators - assassins

Among the front page column heads are: "PEACE AT LAST" "Surrender of Gen. Kirby Smith's entire force" "Final Official Act of Insurgent Authority" "The Great Rebellion Has Passed Away" "Their Land and Naval Forces Declared Disbanded" "The Stars & Stripes Again Dominant Over All the County" "All…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Missouri, Aug. 29, 1883 

* Outlaw Frank James
* Jesse James gang
* Gallatin, Missouri trial

The top of the ftpg. has column heads: "In The Last Ditch" "A Dark Day for the Defense in the Trial at Gallatin" "Liddell's Testimony Corroborated by Unimpeachable Witnesses" "Statement of the Blacksmith Who Shod the Bandit's Horse" "The Bolton Family Detail the Killing of Wood Hite--The Midnight Burial--Testimony in Full". This is concerning the murder trial of Frank…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, April 28, 1935

* Dutch Schultz trial ends in a deadlock
* Jewish gangster - beer baron - bootlegger

The top of the front page has a one column heading: "DEADLOCK OF JURY ENDS SCHULTZ TRIAL; 7 TO 5 AT THE END" with subheads. (see) First report coverage on the end of Arthur 'Dutch Schultz' Flegenheimer's trial for income tax evasion that resulted in a jury deadlock. Lengthy text continue inside. (see) Nice to have in this famous NYC title.
Other news, sports and…

CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE, October 14, 1931 

* Al 'Scarface' Capone - gangster - mob boss
* Famous tax evasion trial w/ much testimony
* Best title to be had - very rare as such

The front page has a one column heading regarding the two-week long trial of notorious gangster Al "Scarface" Capone: "DRAMA IN COURT AS U. S. CLOSES CASE ON CAPONE" with subhead. (see) Lengthy coverage with testimony continues on page 6 with related photo. Photo of Capone outside the federal building is on the…

CONCORD DAILY MONITOR, New Hampshire, May 17, 1865 

* Trial of the conspirators - assassins
* re. Abraham Lincoln's assassination

Page 2 begins with a nice editorial: "The Conspiracy Trial" which was just beginning in Washington.
Page 3 also has a full column headed: "The Assassination Trial" "Condensed Summary of the Evidence" "The Testimony Against Spangler, O'Laughlin and Mudd" "The Secret Evidence Made Public". Also: "Conspirators Respited" "Gov. Vance Arrested" "The Pirate…

THE SPRINGFIELD UNION, from Springfield, Massachusetts, dated June 17, 1970

* Charles Manson trial begins
* Sharon Tate

This 46 page newspaper has a two column headline on page 4: "Tate Trial Jury Selection Begins," which tells of the beginning of the murder trial of Charles Manson and his 3 women followers.
Other news of the day with period advertising is found throughout.
Complete in 46 pages. A little spine wear, otherwise in good condition.

NEW-YORK TIMES, Sept. 28, 1865 

* Andersonville Civil War prison in Georgia 
* Captain Henry Wirz trial

Front page heads at the top of the first column regarding the trial of Captain Henry Wirz, the Confederate officer in charge of the famous prisoner of war camp in Andersonville, Georgia: "Trial Of Capt. Wirz" "Difficulties and Delays by His Counsel" "Sharp Rebukes From The Court" "One of the Counsel Carrying Letters for Mrs. Wirz" "Some More Testimony as to What Witnesses Did Not See"…

ST. LOUIS GLOBE-DEMOCRAT, Aug. 21, 1883 

* Outlaw Frank James... Jesse James gang
* Gallatin, Missouri trial
* Nice to have on the front page of a Missouri newspaper

The top of the front page has column heads: "FRANK JAMES" "The Missouri Bandit Appears in Court at Gallatin" "The Trial Adjourned Until To-Morrow--Mrs. Hite on Hand--Great Interest in the Proceedings" Note that Mrs. Hite was the wife of outlaw & fellow gang member (and cousin), Wood Hite.
Great to have this report on te…

THE NEW YORK TIMES, October 17, 1945

* German Woman guard Irma Grese 
* Nazi concentration camps leader 
* Bergen-Belsen trials - Jewish holocaust
* "Beast of Belsen" "Hyena of Auschwitz"

Page 6 has a one column heading: "BELSEN WOMAN GUARD WEEPS, DENIES GUILT" (see images)
Complete with 38 pages, rag edition in great condition.

Background:On October 16, 1945, during the Belsen Trial, Irma Grese was present in court as the prosecution continued presenting evidence and witness…

THE SCRANTON REPUBLICAN, Pennsylvania, 1881

* President James Garfield assassination
* Charles Guiteau murder trial

A lot of four issues, each with front page column heads concerning the Guiteau trial for assassinating President Garfield as well as the hoped for recovery & funeral plans for the President.

The ftpg. heads include for Aug. 11: "The President" "Disappearance of the Fever"; Aug. 29: "Guiteau" "The Assassin to Be Protected" "The President" "Marked Change for the Better";…

ALBANY EVENING NEWS, New York, April 30, 1932 

* Massie murder trial verdict 
* Thomas and Thalia Massie 
* Joseph "Joe" Kahahawai Jr 

This 16 page newspaper has a three column headline on the front page: "MASSIE JURY CONVICTS FOUR, HONOLULU TENSE; REPRISALS ARE FEARED" with subheads and related photo (see photos). First report coverage on the conviction of Thomas H. Massie and others for the murder of Hawaiian prizefighter Joseph Kahahawai.

Other news, sports and various…

THE EVENING TRIBUNE, San Diego, April 12, 1907

* Harry Thaw & Stanford White
* 1st murder trial ends w/ a hung jury

The front page has a nice banner headline: "Thaw Jury Disagreed and Is Discharged" with subheads. (see) Nice for display. Surprisingly this issue is in good condition being from the "wood pulp" era. Very hard to find issues that are not totally fragile from this era in paper.
Complete with 8 pages, small library stamp within the masthead, generally very nice.

wikipedia…

THE NEW YORK HERALD, Feb. 26, 1868 

* President Andrew Johnson
* Reconstruction era impeachment trial

Page 3 has proceedings on President Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial, with first column heads: "WASHINGTON" "Subsidence Of The Excitement" "Preliminary Preparations for the Trial of the President" and more.
Eight pages, minor margin wear, nice condition.

THE NEW YORK TIMES, September 25, 1948 

* Mildred Gillars pleads not guilty 
* Axis Sally - trial for treason 
* Nazis broadcaster 

Page 8 has a small one column heading: "TRIAL OF 'AXIS SALLY' SET" "Court Names Nov. 15--Accused Would Have Truman Appear" (see) Brief coverage of the decision to go to trial as Mildred Gillars pleads not guilty for treason.
Complete with 32 pages, rag edition in nice condition.

THE JET GAZETTE, Furth, Bavaria, Germany, October 1, 1946 

* Nazis sentenced to death for war crimes
* Hermann Goering & Rudolph Hess

 Published by the Army Air Force Station of Furth, this is the volume 1, number er 14 issue which  began publication after the end of the war in Europe.
The collectible significance of this issue would be difficult to understate. This airport began in the 1920's and when taken over by the Nazis in 1933 it became the training ground for the Bavarian Air…