The Evidence of Crime and Punishment

 

            People have always been fascinated with the process of crime and punishment, but what about the evidence of such punishment?  The evidence of some punishments, like that of the larger-than-life crime team of Bonnie and Clyde, are now worth thousands of dollars.  The stocking worn by Bonnie during her last fatal shoot out with authorities was recently discovered and put into the “gangsters, Outlaws, and Lawmen” memorabilia sale sponsored by R R Auction.  When Outlaws were common law officers and vigilantes would give out bloody souvenirs to the first civilians who reached the scene.  The public became fascinated with the artifacts of memorable crimes. 

            People aren’t just interested in the blood-dripping artifacts, they also want to see the artifacts that show the more human side of outlaws like love letters to gangsters families.  Sheet music written by Al Capone for a love song inspired by his wife is expected to go for anywhere from $45 to $50,000, and a plastic rosary owned by the gangster is expected to go for at least $3,000.  Items like these were considered to be “the only human-like comfort in the lives of young felons.”           

“Moonshine” is an exhibit that has about seventy five pieces all having to do with about three centuries of illegal distilleries and police crackdowns.   These pieces were given to the museum by the descendants of the bootleggers.   Many other exhibits focused around huge crimes like bootlegging can be found dotting the country.

            Not only do people want to own small artifacts from the times of outlaws, they also want to own the ground felons walked on.  Whole properties where even fictional outlaws were said to hang out are now being sold on the market for much more than the standard   property value.  For example, a small prohibition time diner where several strictly fictional outlaws were supposed to have eaten is now being restored and turned into yet another museum of crime during the 1900’s.  Another example is Ma Barkers lakefront hide out in central Florida that is now taking offers for its new owner.  This 9 acre property is going for a suggested $1million minimum.  The property includes traces of the 1935 FBI machine gun shootout that killed Barker and her oldest son, Fred, who was posing as her husband at the time.  The property will most likely be turned into a historical society headquarters or a bed-and-breakfast.  Also, it will most likely have furniture placed in the same fashion as FBI photos suggest it was at the time of the shooting. 

            So why are people so fascinated with these artifacts?  Maybe it’s because they are seen as artifacts of crime.  Maybe it is to remind us that even the most deranged of us are people too.  Maybe it’s the fact that these people are gone, and this is all we have to remember them by. But maybe, just maybe humans are simply fascinated by the bloody history surrounding all of these properties and artifacts.