Michigan Rogues, Desperados and Cut-Throats

Ruthless killers - cruel predators - bold outlaws - unprincipled scoundrels - rowdy misfits. Those larger-than-life characters and supporting cast staged a dramatic, real-life performance on frontier Michigan. The stories of the most colorful and outrageous are told between the covers of Michigan Rogues Desperados & Cut-Throats. Rough and lusty lumbering-era Michigan towns bred outlaws, crime and shady characters faster than the state's swamps produced mosquitoes, says author Tom Powers. Killers, crooks, gunmen, whoremasters, thieves, and a remarkable assortment of other deadly, tragic, lawless and laughable characters washed through the streets of Saginaw, Manistique, Meredith, Bay City, Seney, Harrison, Rogers City and others. In their wake came shootouts, hangings, rapes, murders, white slavery, feuds, open prostitution, brutal brawls, daring escapes, stagecoach and train robberies, and just about any other crime, horror or atrocity you can think of. After reading Michigan Rogues, Desperados & Cut-throats, you may be convinced that the better-known wild west was tame compared to Michigan. Pieces in the Gallery of 19th Century Miscreants: A swashbuckling Lake Michigan pirate A brutal brawler who gnashed opponents with a double set of teeth The ogre of Seney, who would eat anything for money A master thief who picked the pockets of the Michigan legislature The King of Presque Isle The opera pimp

Tom Powers retired from the Flint Public Library in 1999, after 31 years of very rewarding work, in order to devote the appropriate amount of time that writing, reading, traveling, grandchildren, procrastination, nature, and hockey so richly deserve. His previous books include Natural Michigan; Michigan in Quotes; Audubon Guide to the National Wildlife Refuges: Northern Midwest; Great Birding in the Great Lakes; Michigan Rogues, Desperados and Cutthroats; and In the Grip of the Whirlwind: The Armistice Day Storm of 1940. Among his other stellar achievements is the creation of the worlds first Mime Radio Show and the Julia A. Moore Poetry Festival, which honored Americas worst poet. He steadfastly denies the Mime Radio Show was in anyway instrumental in the radio stations demise. Barbara, his wife of 50 years; their two children and their spouses; and five grandchildren are a constant source of joy. As always, once a book is published it is out of date. Camping and admission prices will change and new services will be added before a new edition finds its way to print. Keeping up with our state park system is like trying to roll an egg uphill with your nose, it needs constant attention. Until the next edition hell be keeping his nose to the shell.