Scoundrels and Scallywags: Characters from Alberta's Past

Alberta's past is filled with colourful characters, from outlaws to con artists to bootleggers. These scoundrels and scallywags helped shape the province's history, and their stories are still told today.

Scoundrels and Scallywags: Characters from Alberta's Past

by Brian Brennan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5628 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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Outlaws

One of the most famous outlaws in Alberta history is Sam Kelly. Kelly was born in Ontario in 1860, and he came to Alberta in the 1880s. He quickly became known as a horse thief and a cattle rustler. Kelly was eventually caught and sentenced to prison, but he escaped and continued his life of crime. He was finally killed in a shootout with the police in 1894.

Another famous Alberta outlaw is Bill Miner. Miner was born in New York State in 1847, and he came to Canada in the 1870s. He quickly became involved in crime, and he was eventually convicted of train robbery. Miner was sentenced to life in prison, but he escaped and fled to Canada. He continued to rob trains in Canada, but he was eventually caught and sentenced to death. Miner was hanged in Winnipeg in 1913.

Con Artists

Alberta has also been home to its share of con artists. One of the most famous is George Washington Pope. Pope was born in Ontario in 1847, and he came to Alberta in the 1880s. He quickly became involved in land speculation, and he soon made a fortune. However, Pope's fortune was based on fraud, and he was eventually arrested and charged with forgery. Pope was convicted and sentenced to prison, but he was released after serving only a few years.

Another famous Alberta con artist is Charles Ponzi. Ponzi was born in Italy in 1882, and he came to Canada in 1903. He quickly became involved in a number of fraudulent schemes, including a Ponzi scheme. Ponzi's scheme promised investors huge returns on their money, but it was all a scam. Ponzi was eventually arrested and charged with fraud. He was convicted and sentenced to prison, but he was released after serving only a few years.

Bootleggers

Alberta was also home to a number of bootleggers during the Prohibition era. One of the most famous is Al Capone. Capone was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1899, and he came to Canada in the 1920s. He quickly became involved in bootlegging, and he soon became one of the most powerful gangsters in the country. Capone's bootlegging empire was based in Chicago, but he had operations all over Canada, including Alberta. Capone was eventually arrested and charged with tax evasion. He was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison, but he was released after serving only a few years.

Another famous Alberta bootlegger is Dutch Schultz. Schultz was born in New York City in 1901, and he came to Canada in the 1920s. He quickly became involved in bootlegging, and he soon became one of the most powerful gangsters in the country. Schultz's bootlegging empire was based in New York City, but he had operations all over Canada, including Alberta. Schultz was eventually arrested and charged with murder. He was convicted and sentenced to death, but he was killed by a fellow inmate before he could be executed.

The scoundrels and scallywags of Alberta's past are a colourful and fascinating group of characters. Their stories are a reminder that even in the most law-abiding of places, there are always those who are willing to break the rules.

Here are some additional resources on scoundrels and scallywags from Alberta's past:

• Scoundrels and Scallywags of Alberta History
• Outlaws and Scallywags of Alberta

Scoundrels and Scallywags: Characters from Alberta's Past

by Brian Brennan

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5628 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	226 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE