Trainer, George Francis-Ben Hogan the Wickedest Main in the World

Description

Trainer, George Francis ‘The Life and Adventures of Ben Hogan. Wickedest Man in the World.’ 2009 reprint of rare 1878 title by the same title. 276-pages. The book belonged to deceased boxing historian/author Arly Allen who has written his name and street address in pencil the top right-hand corner of the blank frontispiece. Below that in pen is written, “Ben Hogan got his title “the wickedest man in the world” from Owen Hiines of St. Louis, who carried that title until his death in January 1874 in St. Louis. St. Louis Glove, Jan 12, 1874. p.8″

Summary: Originally written under the subject’s immediate supervision in 1878, The Life and Adventures of Ben Hogan, the Wickedest Man in the World is a sensational, pulp-style Victorian biography (or highly fictionalized autobiography) penned by George Francis Trainer. The book reads like a fast-paced nineteenth-century dime novel and chronicles the shocking, morally ambiguous adventures of Benedict “Ben” Hogan. Born a German immigrant, Hogan grows up to become one of Gilded Age America’s most notorious outlaws, athletes, and scoundrels.

Key Plot Elements & Exploits:
Early Criminality & Survival: The book begins with Hogan’s harsh childhood as an immigrant enduring poverty in America. He develops a rebellious streak, turning to petty crime, street smarts, and revenge schemes to protect his family.

The Boxing Ring: Hogan transitions into a highly successful, brutal career as a professional prize-fighter and bare-knuckle boxer.

Civil War Exploits: His adventures escalate into high-stakes espionage and wartime criminal enterprises, where he acts as a pirate, blockade runner, spy, and bounty jumper during the American Civil War.

The Oil Rush Era: Hogan heads west to the lawless oil boom regions of Western Pennsylvania. There, he amasses a fortune by running massive gambling rings, saloons, and dance houses.

The “Floating Palace of Pleasure”: The book highlights his most famous stunt from 1870—building a massive steamship brothel and bar called the Floating Palace. To completely evade local law enforcement, Hogan anchored the ship precisely in the middle of the Allegheny River, charging men steep prices to ferry out for illegal entertainment and daily spectacles.”