lookingland: (lincoln)
lookingland ([personal profile] lookingland) wrote2008-02-06 07:01 am

just a picture and somesuch ~

the caption on these mugshots reads: "In 1904 Claude Hankins , aged 14, was convicted of murder and paroled after serving four years." it's always shocking to me, how little 14 really is. this boy is clearly still a child and you can't help wonder at who he killed and why ~ and the circumstances in which he lived that made it possible for someone so young to commit such a serious crime. of course, this is new york, where they start down a bad path pretty young in the slums and life expectancy is pretty low ~ so on the other hand, i guess it shouldn't surprise me. but it still does.


child murderers especially disturb me for some reason. maybe because when i was a child i knew what the impulse to kill was like. maybe because all that really separated me from them is social class and a paper and pencil with which to vent my frustrations. that might be too telling ~ hahahahahaha.

meanwhile, i'm working. very slowly it appears. trying to get my brain wrapped around where to go after the Prologue with the capital P. i feel the need to post something as evidence that i am actually working and not just dwibbling in the myre. so here's a lamp. you know you love it. i made it especially for you.

definitely disturbing

(Anonymous) 2008-02-06 07:30 pm (UTC)(link)

It'd be neat to look Claude up in the 1900 census. Sadly, I don't have a resource any more.

I like your sketch...what's included in it.

moo

Re: definitely disturbing

[identity profile] lookingland.livejournal.com 2008-02-06 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
thankie moo!

: D