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Writers

Karen Abbott

History

Everything Was Fake but Her Wealth

Ida Wood, who lived for decades as a recluse in a New York City hotel, would have taken her secrets to the grave—if her sister hadn’t gotten there first.

Karen Abbott Smithsonian Jan 2013 10min Permalink

Crime

The High Priestess of Fraudulent Finance

Cassie Chadwick pulled her first con in 1870, at the age of 13. Over the next 30 years, she would scam her way to $633,000, about $16.5 million in today’s dollars.

Karen Abbott Smithsonian Jun 2012 10min Permalink

Crime

The Children Who Went Up In Smoke

In 1945, a fire tore through the home of George and Jennie Sodder. Four children escaped; five vanished.

Karen Abbott Smithsonian Dec 2012 Permalink