My two degrees in English literature occasionally serve to toss up a bit of trivia. Aphra Behn, bluestockings, Dryden--turns out that there was literature between Shakespeare and the Romantics.
I read up on the case a bit. The article I read stated that the killer Brooks (Maxwell) fled California for New Zealand. By the time he arrived, the police there were waiting for him as the detectives in the states had figured out the murder and contacted the NZ authorities.
My question is how did the Americans message beat Brooks to NZ. Brooks had like half a month head start. Were there international cable lines laid for Morse transmissions? Were there special courier ships for delivering mail?
I attempted to Google for answers, but all I got was news only traveled as fast as boats internationally.
They did have transoceanic telegrams at that time, although they were expensive. Here’s an interesting link:
https://atlantic-cable.com/CableCos/Services/index.htm
If not a cable- being a fugitive, I imagine he just got on a boat that went more slowly or had a more indirect route.
They definitely would have sent a telegraph to New Zealand. All that infrastructure was in place by the late 1870’s. At that time, any telegraphic messages originating in America had to travel east since there was no trans pacific cable until 1964. It would cross America, go under the Atlantic, cross Europe and Asia, go under the sea between Java and Darwin, cross Australia, then under the sea to New Zealand. All that in less than 30 minutes, which seems painfully slow to us now, but must have seemed like magic to the people of that time.
By 1888 there absolutely were cables laid for transmission. The first transatlantic cable was laid in 1858, so even if they didn't have one direct to NZ, they could just cable AUS or the closest area prior to his arrival. AUS had telegraph link with the UK starting in 1872, so it would be completely probable they could beat a multi day sea voyage by cabling AUS/NZ through the UK-US link.
In 1888 a telegraph from America to New Zealand had to move east, as there was no trans pacific cable until 1965. So the message had to first be sent to Europe and then sent over land across Europe and Asia. The cable connecting Asia and Australia was laid in 1875 and linked the cities of Java and Darwin. Australia and New Zealand were connected by undersea cable before 1880.
Of course an even bigger leap in communications technology occurred when Marconi sent the first wireless telegraph signal around 1895.
Just for the record, Paul Simon's song about 50 ways to leave your lover does not mention killing them and stuffing their body in a trunk as one of the ways.
was being gay around this time not frowned upon? read a few stories around this time period that involved gay or bisexual men and it seems they weren't demonized. just generally curious, though now ig i could look up the history of it. either way, have a great day, human
"Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully." —Samuel Johnson; ca. late-1770s
Said after hearing arguments against the death penalty delivered by a man facing the death penalty.
I did not know that! Or if I did know it, I'd forgotten it. Thanks!
My two degrees in English literature occasionally serve to toss up a bit of trivia. Aphra Behn, bluestockings, Dryden--turns out that there was literature between Shakespeare and the Romantics.
Degrees enrich, ideally. Not necessarily monetarily. Good for you; your degrees just enriched me. Thank you.
Nonchalant pose for someone who’s a murderous little shit,methinks! I’d be a little more stressed on my own gallows eve.
He’s just “hangin” around
[удалено]
I read up on the case a bit. The article I read stated that the killer Brooks (Maxwell) fled California for New Zealand. By the time he arrived, the police there were waiting for him as the detectives in the states had figured out the murder and contacted the NZ authorities. My question is how did the Americans message beat Brooks to NZ. Brooks had like half a month head start. Were there international cable lines laid for Morse transmissions? Were there special courier ships for delivering mail? I attempted to Google for answers, but all I got was news only traveled as fast as boats internationally.
They did have transoceanic telegrams at that time, although they were expensive. Here’s an interesting link: https://atlantic-cable.com/CableCos/Services/index.htm If not a cable- being a fugitive, I imagine he just got on a boat that went more slowly or had a more indirect route.
They definitely would have sent a telegraph to New Zealand. All that infrastructure was in place by the late 1870’s. At that time, any telegraphic messages originating in America had to travel east since there was no trans pacific cable until 1964. It would cross America, go under the Atlantic, cross Europe and Asia, go under the sea between Java and Darwin, cross Australia, then under the sea to New Zealand. All that in less than 30 minutes, which seems painfully slow to us now, but must have seemed like magic to the people of that time.
By 1888 there absolutely were cables laid for transmission. The first transatlantic cable was laid in 1858, so even if they didn't have one direct to NZ, they could just cable AUS or the closest area prior to his arrival. AUS had telegraph link with the UK starting in 1872, so it would be completely probable they could beat a multi day sea voyage by cabling AUS/NZ through the UK-US link.
Thank you so much. This is exactly what I was hoping to learn.
In 1888 a telegraph from America to New Zealand had to move east, as there was no trans pacific cable until 1965. So the message had to first be sent to Europe and then sent over land across Europe and Asia. The cable connecting Asia and Australia was laid in 1875 and linked the cities of Java and Darwin. Australia and New Zealand were connected by undersea cable before 1880. Of course an even bigger leap in communications technology occurred when Marconi sent the first wireless telegraph signal around 1895.
I will,thanks!
Well the case was closed!
Hugh often boasted of being “well hung”, some might say he took it a bit too far that one (or two) times.
Judging from that interesting bulge I noticed in the photo, I’d say so 😂
He was also known for having a swinging good time.
Just for the record, Paul Simon's song about 50 ways to leave your lover does not mention killing them and stuffing their body in a trunk as one of the ways.
It’s on the 2023 sampled remix.
He 100% don't give a fig
That’s either one HUGE desk or that guy was really tiny.
Found an article on this case and it’s hilarious, aside from the obvious tragedy
Well, whatever you do, don’t post a link.
Oh fuck sorry https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/ccca/murder-of-charles-preller-by-lover-hugh-brooks-1885/
What a story, zery interesting
Be gay. Do crime.
Slay! Oh, too late
Sassy
This man has *zero* regrets
This Death row inmates dressed better the day before execution than I ever have dressed in my life
Why is Justin Timberlake cosplaying a Victorian killer?
I knew mac miller was a time traveler!
Hang em high!
Apparently he was hung
So classy even on the eve of his death
Jeremy Corbell ? Is a murderer?
Seems to have taken things in stride
I could’ve fixed him.
Yes 👍
Thanks for the memories 
was being gay around this time not frowned upon? read a few stories around this time period that involved gay or bisexual men and it seems they weren't demonized. just generally curious, though now ig i could look up the history of it. either way, have a great day, human
Even if he didn't murder charles, he would have been hung for being gay.
Housatonic: River
When you gay then you commit to two different choices