Arthur H. Lewis (1906–1995)

5692. The Day They Shook the Plum Tree, by Arthur H. Lewis (read 15 May 2020) Tells the fantastic story of Hetty Green, who died in 1916 and was considered the richest woman in the world. She had a son and a daughter. The son was a non-admirable person who spent money in stupid ways. He had no children and his money went to his sister, with a portion to his wife, an ex-prostitute. The story of how these people handled their money is full of drama. Hetty's son lived in four states and the U. S, Supreme Court determined his domicile in a famed case, Texas v. Florida, 306 U.S. 398 (1939). The master's hearing took two years. This is a book full of interest, though it contains not one legal citation--such a needless omission. So I supply the pertinent citation herein.… (meer)

A somewhat historical account of the rise and fall of the Irish group called The Molly Maguires. The Molly Maguires took law into their own hands, trying to find justice for miners and their family who were poorly treated. This book tells of the Molly Maguires group and The Pinkerton Spy that brought them down.

I knew the basics about the Molly Maguires. I also knew of rumors that my family helped The Pinkerton Spy hide. My great grandparents and grandparents on my father’s side grew up in the Pottstown area called St. Clair. I think while reading it I was a little hopeful that I would see a familiar last name connected to me but… I did not. The book did mention many names, so many that I got confused at who was who.

Most of book was... pretty boring. I kept comparing it to the beginning of the bible. Just listing this person did this and this other person did that. I feel like the most emotional moment was at the end of the book where some Molly Maguires were hung.

I had hoped for more from this book but I think most of it went over my head or my eyes gazed over no matter how many times I read the same spot. I think that the reason I did not like a lot of the book is because of the author’s “voice”. For a book with so much death and violence, it seemed very slow and boring.… (meer)

"Hex" tells the true story of what happened in Southern York County in November of 1928 - the murder of a hermit pow-wow doctor by 3 men who thought he had hexed them and their families. The author does a wonderful good job of telling the story in such a way that, without straying away from the facts, could lead the reader to believe he is reading a work of pure fiction. The story is fantastic and the fact that it took place a mere 80 odd years ago will really amaze you to see how we've grown as a people.

I also recommend "Trials of Hex" by J. Ross McGinnis. "Trials" looks at the story more from the legal perspective and 90% of that book talks about the court case (it was written by a York lawyer). This book however, splits time between the culture and the murder (60% of book) and the trials that lead to the 3 assailants prison sentences (40% of book). Definitely worth reading if you are fortunate enough to find a good used copy.… (meer)