Mobsters, Madams & Murder in Steubenville, Ohio: The Story of Little Chicago

by Susan M. Guy

Steubenville Ohio, a mecca of murder was nicknamed "Little Chicago" with gambling, prostitution, and bootlegging running rampant for over one hundred years.


Steubenville's Water Street red-light district drew men from hundreds of miles away, as well as underage runaways. The white slave trade was rampant, and along with all the vice crimes, murders became a weekly occurrence. Law enforcement seemed to turn a blind eye, and cries of political corruption were heard in the state capital. This scenario replayed itself over and over again during the past century as mobsters and madams ruled and murders plagued the city and county at an alarming rate.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook, True Crime, History, Crime

176 pages, Paperback

Published June 10, 2014

Reviews

[Daniel Farabaugh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem with this book is that it is just a list of crimes without a larger theme to tie them together. They are interesting but the author never addresses why it that all these crime are happening. She could have tied it to the larger prohibition related issues thematically.

[Zachariah Zdinak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've lived in Stratton, Ohio all my life (nearly 30 years); just 15 minutes, north of Steubenville, and have always heard some of these nicknames like "Little Chicago," and some of the individuals mentioned in this book. I've passed their headstones in cemeteries numerous times throughout my life, just thinking they were just another name on a rock of someone long dead and gone. This book has changed all of that for me! Putting pictures, names and stories, to people I would have otherwise continued to go on paying no mind to.

Susan M. Guy has done a great service to the Steubenville area, along with the rest of the Ohio Valley in telling the Prohibition tales of these individuals who lived and worked in this area over 100 years ago now. I've learned so much from this book, and it really makes me want to go find their headstones and read their stories again; helping me feel closer to the past in so many ways.

She has another book that was just realesed as well, and if it is as good as this one was, I can't wait to read it!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The overall literary style is somewhat lacking. I gave the book 4 stars instead of 3 because I'm a Steubenville resident and enjoyed the local history. It was insightful to see family names that are still in the area and to read of locations, buildings, and businesses that are still in operation. The book's ending leads me to believe the author is planning a follow up book. Given the criminal nature that still exists in Jefferson County, she should have no difficulty in finding sufficient material.

[Maggie K · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 rating honestly. Started out really enjoyable but did get a bit slow toward the last half of the book. Overall, really interesting history of the city.

[Ryan Splenda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Steubenville, OH has never been known as a rosy place. It's history of gambling, prostitution, and organized crime is very well known to residents of the entire Ohio Valley. I've never known about a book that talks about Steubenville's sordid history until now, and I must say, I'm pretty disappointed. I give credit to Guy for attempting to tell the story of "Little Chicago", but there are so many holes and so many years missing. The book primarily focuses on the time period between 1875-1930. Now, I know that is a huge chunk of time, but 160 pages is not enough for 55 years of coverage! Also, what about Steubenville's transgressions from 1931 to present day? There just isn't enough here for me to suggest this book to anyone. Steubenville, and its bad-boy persona, deserves a much better effort. Hopefully, that will come one day.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Steubenville has a sordid past of murders, vice crimes and prostitution -- especially during the early years of 1875 - 1930's. Newspapers dubbed the area as Little Chicago. Each chapter focuses on different people and situations. Growing up in the Ohio Valley, I was intrigued. However, I felt like I was reading a report, rather than understanding the depth of the situations. The author did an amazing job of researching and organizing the data, but I would have liked a better flow of the information.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Local history is hobbled by fewer perspectives consolidating it, which shades the reporting with the prejudices of the author. That is what happened here: one-dimensional portrayals of law enforcement (described as popular, likeable, generally heroic) and law breakers (duplicitous women and blood thirsty, violent men). If this was just a cops and robbers reporting of Steubenville’s history I would just roll my eyes and move on, but there is more at play here.
- a sex worker was described as having a beautiful view from their grave site, such that it was the only beautiful thing about her life.
-Dry agents abusing their powers were repeatedly described as being high-handed, instead of called out as behaving like the law didn’t apply to them and repeatedly ignoring the rights of citizens of the United States.
-immigrants villainized as trouble makers and murderers.
-the coverage of the KKK “assisting” the local law enforcement. This whole section has apologist language and it is just gross. The burning cross and fireworks displays (this is a hate crime) were described as “magnificent” and something that the local residents were “treated to”. Like what the actual fuck. No where does the author call this behavior out, instead the KKK are portrayed as helpers of the police, calling to action the government to assist in getting Steubenville back to a lawful place. I can’t believe this book got published, I truly can’t.

Local history is so important, and we need people to come through the records and compile it in a way that makes it easy to access. But please recognize the prejudice in this book, please question the white supremacist apologism and call it out. This shit is not okay.

[Paul Lunger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 1920s is an era in American history quite unlike any other especially when it comes to the rise of crime associated with that period as the battle between dry & wet in some spots would explode in a organized crime waves which affected different places differently. In "Mobsters, Madams & Murder in Steubenville, Ohio: The Story of Little Chicago", Susan M Guy tackles the notorious history of Steubenville, Ohio a small town in eastern Ohio which is also the county seat of Jefferson county as well as being a town I grew up next to as a child. Across 32 chapters & more than 150 pages she describes the events in this county & town which was in the middle of a full fledged war between the drys & the wets with the justice system looking the other way as law enforcement & the judicial system tried in vain to bring order to a very disorderly world which also had influences of the Black Hand as well as the Ku Klux Klan involved. The book in spots is hard to read simply because of the degree of violence in it as well as for this reader historical significance of my home county. There's also a chapter involving the Herron murders which hits a bit close to home as the house where I grew up is now part of a subdivision where this round of crimes took place. Guy has definitely done her homework in this book which very sad in spots & all too true. Nearly a century after the events in this era, the book itself rings true as a fascinating look at how Steubenville earned it's nickname of "Little Chicago" & as someone for whom this area will always be home has gained a greater impact into this history of the area where I was born and raised.

[Cat · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who has lived close to Steubenville, Ohio, I laughed when I saw the phrase "Little Chicago." I was unaware of the town's checkered past and it was interesting to hear about how rough it actually was at one time. These days, it is most famous among Catholic circles at least for the University of Steubenville that hosts so many conventions, retreats, speakers, and of course Masses and special devotions on campus that the faithful from every corner of the US have come to participate. For the uninitiated, it is the birthplace of Dean Martin, who sadly (along with so many other actors and musicians of his day) seem to be slowly slipping into anonymity.

For me, it was neat hearing the exact streets that mayhem occurred on, the names of other familiar neighboring towns, and how far Steubenville has come. After these stories, I would say the nickname of Little Chicago was quite fitting.

[Michael Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love reading about Ohio history since this is the state where I was born and still live. I recently visited Stubenville for the first time, but had no idea about its sordid history. That being said, this book was pretty disappointing. Researched from local newspaper accounts, the book reads like a series of those accounts without adding a lot of details about the world and culture that caused this surge of crime. It tends to be a list of people who were murdered for this or that, but really didn't evoke any emotion about it. I wanted to know how Stuberville has changed over the years and place its history in context with where it is today.

And the audiobook ends abruptly at the start of another chapter (I think). I appreciate the author's hard work researching this, but I'd suggest skipping this one.

[Gayle Burchfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left Me Wanting More

Having been born in The Gill Memorial Hospital in 1953 and living in Jefferson County until 1978, when my husband and I moved are two children to Arizona, I found this book fascinating.
I feel that everyone from Jefferson County should read it.
I really hope that Susan M Guy picks up where she left off and writes a book about "The Dirty Thirties" and then another one about the 40's, the 50's and so forth, up until the present time.
Steubenville and Jefferson County have a lot of history that I would love to read about.

[Joshua Thompson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed reading a book about the history of my hometown, I found the execution of this book lacking. It lacked a true historian's touch in bringing the stories alive and making all these murders one cohesive narrative. Instead, it was presented more like a reporter churning out the facts in very short chapters, with very little depth or analysis.

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I probably should have stopped reading this halfway through, but it really didn't take that much more time to finish it off. I'm familiar with other books published by this press, and the ones I've seen are all only moderately interesting and somewhat amateurish. (No offense intended, authors; just my opinion.)

[Kevin Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book. It is broken into several short stories chronicling crime in early 20th century Steubenville, Ohio. As a side note, it is the hometown of Dean Martin.
The narrator was a perfect match for the book. Her voice brought out the emotions of the people living in “Little Chicago.” Her speech was fluid, clear and added to the experience.
Well done!

[Dona Omaits · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

This book was an interesting read because I have always lived in the Ohio Valley. Familiar names of people and descriptions of places made it come to life. I had no idea these things happened here.

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not impressed. I expected more from this book, but it mentions way too many murders in much too short a time with no clear organization. Some of the names sound familiar eventually, but it would benefit the reader if the connections were more explicit.

[Tony Pisano · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a tough one to review. I was expecting a book with more of a true “story”. This was a compilation of things that happened. Wasn’t bad, just was a description of events that occurred. If we could give half stars I would put it right in the middle at 2.5 but I must give it 2 stars.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprisingly no too bad.

[Aimee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Historical accounts are fascinating; writing is horrible.

[cook glands · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

History is very interesting. If you enjoy reading about history, then you will want to read this Ohio history book.

[bruce yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice read

Good short biography of the people. Wish it could have gone more in depth. Enjoyed the pictures. Living 30 minutes away from Steubenville it was a nice history lesson.

[Deb Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this. New to area myself, but my husband is from the area. I've heard stories about Steubenville in the "old days" and thought they were exaggerated. They were not. Very interesting history.

[Gracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Amazing i have read it many times an still find new things

[Macie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the books information to be fascinating. I have never heard all these stories about Stubenville! The writing style is a little rough but stories keep you looking onward to the next story.

[Annalee Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting read and will require a re-read.

Probably wouldnt rate nearly as high to someone who doesnt call the area home. To me, fascinating.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure how interested a non-Ohioan would be in this book, but I loved hearing the old stories of a small community not far from me.

[Phyllis Gaerke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being an Ohio resident I found this very interesting. I used to travel Ohio for business and visited steubenville more than once without knowing its history. ... Probably a good thing! 😜

[Maddie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 up to 4. Felt like a true crime podcast! Really quick though, short stories.

[Zbigniew Zdziarski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is not the best writer but I have a soft spot for the town of Steubenville so I gave the book 4 stars.