FOOL KILLER FIFTY-THREE: JANUARY 1912

Balladeer’s Blog continues its examination of the many facets of Fool Killer lore. FOR PART ONE, INCLUDING THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT IN THE 1850s, CLICK HERE

PART FIFTY-THREE – Some of the targets from the January of 1912 edition of James Larkin Pearson’s version of The Fool-Killer:

*** With Christmas just past, the Fool Killer targeted community Christmas events which distributed toys to the children of well-to-do “pillars of the community” families while shutting out poor and needy children.

*** The way too many charitable events wound up being so extravagant that very little was left over for the poor. He cited a particular North Carolina event which, when expenses were paid, only $10.00 was left for the needy.

*** J.B. McNamara and J.J. McNamara, who had pleaded guilty in December 1911 to the bombing of the Los Angeles Times building on October 1st of 1910. Clarence Darrow, the famed defense attorney, represented the men but was blamed for mishandling the situation. 

              Pearson and his Fool Killer also bashed the witch hunt that this case unleashed on organized labor since the McNamaras were tied to the Iron Workers Union strike in Los Angeles.

*** “Pot-gutted” rich pigs who “have only charred embers where their consciences ought to be.”

*** The way that songs from operas were invading fashionable culture at the time. (I love opera, you’ll recall, but I’m including this in the interest of completeness.)

*** The lofty calls for world peace from the nations spending the most on weapons.

The Fool Killer’s pithiest remark this time around was “Two bodies coming together is generally called a collision – but sometimes they call it twins.”

This January edition was very brief because of Pearson’s need to buy new printing equipment. Much of the issue was turned over to fund-raising. (Ironic.)    

As I always say, it’s fascinating to read this old publication and its odd mix of viewpoints – even the ones you disagree with. 

I WILL EXAMINE MORE FOOL KILLER LORE SOON. KEEP CHECKING BACK FOR UPDATES.

FOR MY LOOK AT JOE MAGARAC, THE STEEL MILL VERSION OF JOHN HENRY AND PAUL BUNYAN, CLICK HERE 

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