Dark Lanterns: An American Lynching

by Jack H. Anderson

“One of the most diabolical murders in the history of this State.” In early August 1855, the murder of a teenage boy and the lynching of his suspected murder put the small town of West Bend, Wisconsin in national news. What happened during seven hot August days summarizes the growing tension between European immigrants and Anglo-Americans in the United States. Many questions remain today but one looms largest over the rest, did he do it? Award-winning journalist Jack H. Anderson pieces early 19th Century southeastern Wisconsin and national political and social events together to create an astounding tale of fear, mistrust, violence, and mystery.

106 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2015

Reviews

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, so perhaps it’s not the most compelling or diabolical crime of the century stuff…but it sheds some light onto pre Civil war era…small town Midwestern Americana…Wisconsin life, criminal justice and politics. Chilling and unforgettable to read about the mob and lynching. I had not heard of the “do Nothing party”, and it was cool to learn about President Fillmore- and presented probably all you need to know about President Fillmore. Some of the platform fits right into to days anti- immigration stances that sometimes flares up around the Country, 160 years later.