For generations, Arizonans have been fascinated with the story of Charles P. Stanton. The alleged crime boss and mass murderer oversaw a reign of terror in the small mining town that bore his name. Driven by greed, he stole ore, swindled mines away from their owners and bribed his way out of justice. Those who crossed him usually ended up dead. But are the legends actually true? Relying on original source material, including court documents and newspapers, Arizona historian Parker Anderson reveals the true story of Stanton for the first time and broaches the possibility that the mysterious Irish Lord may not have been guilty of the terrible crimes that folklore has attributed to him.
Parker Anderson is an Arizona native and a recognized historian in Prescott. He has authored the books Elks Opera House (with Elisabeth Ruffner), Cemeteries of Yavapai County, Grand Canyon Pioneer Cemetery, Wicked Prescott and Haunted Prescott (with Darlene Wilson) for Arcadia Publishing and The History Press, as well as two self-published books, Story of a Hanged Man and The World Beyond. He also authored a number of Arizona history–themed plays for Blue Rose Theater in Prescott.