| Wicked Waterbury: Madmen & Mayhem in the Brass City Contributor(s): Reynolds, Edith (Author), Murray, John (Author) |
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ISBN: 1596296291 ISBN-13: 9781596296299 Publisher: History Press OUR PRICE: $19.79 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: February 2009 Annotation: In its early days, Waterbury was a muddy swamp, a breeding ground for pestilence and mosquitoes. Yet the town's early settlers rarely strayed from the path of Puritan righteousness. By the turn of the twentieth century, however, this rigorously policed, morally upright community had become what one politician called a crossroads of slime and evil. Headlines boasted tales of corrupt politicians and love scandals, union strife and industrial sabotage. For sixteen years, Waterbury was the hideout for Mad Bomber George Metesky, and in 1974 the town witnessed the double homicide that provoked the longest-running trial in Connecticut's history. From the controversial opening of a birth control clinic to the corruption of Mayor T. Frank Hayes, authors Edith Reynolds and John Murray document the major episodes that gave Waterbury the nickname 'Sin City'. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - History | United States - State & Local - New England (ct, Ma, Me, Nh, Ri, Vt) - True Crime - Biography & Autobiography | Criminals & Outlaws |
| Dewey: 974.68 |
| LCCN: 2008048618 |
| Series: Wicked |
| Physical Information: 0.3" H x 5.9" W x 8.7" (0.48 lbs) 128 pages |
| Themes: - Locality - New Haven-Bridgeport, CT - Geographic Orientation - Connecticut |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: In its early days, Waterbury was a muddy swamp, a breeding ground for pestilence and mosquitoes. Yet the town's early settlers rarely strayed from the path of Puritan righteousness. By the turn of the twentieth century, however, this rigorously policed, morally upright community had become what one politician called a "crossroads of slime and evil." Headlines boasted tales of corrupt politicians and love scandals, union strife and industrial sabotage. For sixteen years, Waterbury was the hideout for "Mad Bomber" George Metesky, and in 1974 the town witnessed the double homicide that provoked the longest-running trial in Connecticut's history. From the controversial opening of a birth control clinic to the corruption of Mayor T. Frank Hayes, authors Edith Reynolds and John Murray document the major episodes that gave Waterbury the nickname "Sin City." |
Contributor Bio(s): Reynolds, Edith: - Edith Reynolds grew up on the shore of New Haven Harbor and moved to Waterbury nearly forty years ago. She currently owns and operates the John Bale Book Company and Cafe with her husband, Dan Gaeta. With their two girls, Helen and Sarah, grown, Edith and Dan have served as urban pioneers, purchasing a building to house their antiquarian bookstore and converting the fourth floor into a loft living space. As a former educator, college administrator and reporter, Edith has a love for history and community growth. She currently serves the city as a board member for Main Street Waterbury, the Downtown Business Association, the Mayor's Economic Task Force and the Waterbury Development Corp. She also serves on the grants boards for the Connecticut Community Foundation and for the WDC HUD block grant disbursements. Her last book was a history of Savin Rock in West Haven, Connecticut. John Murray began his independent community newspaper sixteen years ago in Waterbury after a career as a photojournalist at a larger newspaper. The Waterbury Observer is a free monthly publication that has grown into a powerhouse for information, with Murray tackling touchy, important subjects like worker health, civil rights, political corruption and, most currently, the search for a missing young man. His in-depth coverage has earned him national acclaim that he shares with his daughter, Chelsea. Together they have brought the city another source of news. |