Historic Crimes & Justice in Portsmouth, New Hampshire - Paperback

by David J. Ferland (Author)

The first courts handled crimes like lying, idleness and card playing with punishments that ranged from fines to public whipping to death by hanging. Constables kept order until Portsmouth's first police officer took up the shield in 1800. But no force could keep all crime at bay. The court sentenced the beautiful, educated Ruth Blay to hanging on shaky evidence that she might have killed her baby. Business magnate Frank Jones played corrupt politics, succumbed to extramarital temptations and helped make Water Street the red-lighted rum hole destination of the eastern seaboard. Mischievous sailors came into port looking to spend their money, finding ample opportunity in Portsmouth's bowery bordellos. Retired Portsmouth police officer David Lou Ferland traces the history of Portsmouth crime and justice from the first courts to today's award-winning police department.

Author Biography

Dr. David J. Ferland, or Lou� to most, was a police officer with the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Police Department for thirty years. He acquired his doctoral degree from Franklin Pierce University; his dissertation focused on crime, punishment and the history of the Portsmouth Police Department. Dr. Ferland is a nationally certified Police K-9 Trainer/Judge and previous head trainer of the New Hampshire Police K-9 Academy.