Poisoned
Subtitle: Chicago 1907, a corrupt System, an accused killer, and the crusade to save him
By: Steve Shukis
Publisher: Titletown Publishing, LLC
Published: 2014
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 353
ISBN-13: 9780991193820; 9780991193813
Subjects: Murder; Crime; Corruption; TRUE CRIME; Serial Killers; SOCIAL SCIENCE; Essays; Reference
Description: A gripping tale of murder, sorcery, and criminal justice in turn-of-the-century Chicago, Poisoned is the fascinating true story (1907) ofa mysterious Bohemian fortune teller charged with murdering a half-dozen peopleby slowly poisoning them with arsenic. Poisoned details the horrific murders, and the incredible events that followed HermanBillik'sconviction: last second reprieves; legal battles carried all the way to the Supreme Court; frenzied mass demonstrations; corpses secretly exhumed in the middle of the night; and the revelation that key witnesses lied under oath. The case affected political campaigns, involved a Chicago Mayor, and featured an eventual showdown in the race for Governor of Illinois between two of the story's central figures. Indeed, if it were not true, no one would ever believe it.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Cover; Contents; Cast of Characters; Timeline of Events; Part I: The Investigation; 1. A Mystery; 2. Find Herman Billik; 3. The Inquest Begins; 4. Hypnotism, Dead Chickens, and More Victims; 5. The Inquest Resumes; 6. Intent to Kill; 7. Professor Haines; 8. Shippy's On the Case; Part II: The Prosecution; 9. The Tribunal; 10. The Brother; 11. Friends and Physicians; 12. Sisters; 13. Conspiracy; 14. The Sorcerer; 15. The Defense; 16. The Verdict; Part III: Questions; 17. Hope; 18. The Priest and the Reporter; 19. A New Mystery; 20. Opposition; 21. Natural Causes; 22. Truth; 23. Threats and Fear.; title: 24. The Interview25. Failure; Part IV: The Death March; 26. The Pardon Board Convenes; 27. Letters and Lies; 28. Arguments; 29. The Hearing Concludes; 30. Disturbing; 31. Despair; 32. Every Effort; 33. A Whirlwind; 34. Execution Day; 35. Unnerved; Part V: Benefits and Battles; 36. Another Body; 37. Politics; 38. DuPage Investigation; 39. Get Busy For Wayman; 40. The Election; 41. A Raucous Hearing; 42. Decisions; 43. Mourning and Merrymaking; Part VI: The Final Act; 44. On to Joliet; 45. The Governor; 46. The End; Epilogue; Bibliography; Notes; Index; A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N.; title: Op; r; s; t; u; v; w; y; z.