15 Mugshots From the 1800s

Three vintage mugshot-style photos: a man with a bandaged head, a woman with a serious expression, and a man being held by the neck by someone off-frame. Handwritten names and numbers appear above each person.

From grifters and outlaws to thieves and even children, mugshots from the 1800s offer a haunting (and sometimes hilarious) glimpse at the lives of those who crossed paths with the law. These vintage photographs captured everyone from hardened criminals to small-time pickpockets who found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

But behind each image lies a deeper story: A scam that got out of hand, a botched escape, or just being down on one’s luck in a world that didn’t seem to have much sympathy. Here are 15 mugshots from the 1800s, plus the reasons why each person found themselves behind bars.

1. Bertha Liebbeke

Black and white mugshot of a woman wearing a patterned dress and apron, shown facing forward and in profile. She has a placard on her head labeled "Nebraska Penitentiary 5693.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

Known as “Fainting Bertha,” Liebbeke would pretend to faint into the arms of well-dressed men and pick their pockets. Genius!

2. Ellen Woodman

A sepia-toned vintage photograph of a young girl sitting on a chair, wearing a plaid shawl over a dress with her hands folded in her lap, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

In the 1870s, the 11-year-old girl was sentenced to seven days of hard labor after being convicted of stealing iron in England.

3. Goldie Williams

Black-and-white photo of a woman in a dark coat and hat with feathers, making a playful face. The handwritten text above reads "Goldie Williams" and "Mag Murphy." A number "228" is visible on her sleeve.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

Look at that expression! Williams was arrested for vagrancy on January 20, 1898.

4. George H. Ray

A black-and-white portrait of a man with short hair and a slight smile, wearing a dark jacket. Above his head is a sign labeled "N.S.P." and the number "3566," suggesting a historical mugshot.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

This mugshot shows Ray grinning after being sentenced to 10 years in prison for manslaughter in the late 1800s.

5. Jane Farrell

Sepia-toned photograph of a young girl with light hair, wearing a dark jacket and light skirt, seated on a chair with her hands clasped in her lap, looking directly at the camera with a serious expression.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

Did the punishment fit the crime? This 12-year-old girl was sentenced to 10 days of hard labor for stealing two boots in the 1870s.

6. Jim Ling

Black-and-white portrait of an Asian man wearing a straw hat and suit jacket, with "Jim Ling" handwritten at the top and the number "276" visible on his left shoulder. The image appears old and worn.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

Ling was arrested on June 3, 1898, for running an opium joint. On the back of his mugshot, his occupation was listed as “thief.”

7. Henry Leonard Stephenson

A sepia-toned vintage photograph of a young boy with neatly combed hair, wearing a dark suit and sitting on a chair with his hands folded in his lap, looking directly at the camera.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

This brazen 12-year-old was convicted of breaking into people’s homes in 1873. He was sentenced to two months in prison.

8. James Collins

Black-and-white photo of a man with a bandaged head, cut lip, and bruised face, wearing a suit jacket and floral shirt. "Jas. Collins #1" is handwritten at the top, and "109" is written on his jacket.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

On May 12, 1897, 23-year-old tailor James Collins was arrested for burglary. According to his record, Collins managed to escape from police custody before being arrested again.

9. Charles Martin

Sepia mugshot of a man in a suit with short hair and a serious expression, next to an arrest card listing his name, physical description, occupation as stone cutter, and details about his 1898 arrest in Omaha, Nebraska.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

Martin, also known as “Charles Davis,” was arrested in Nebraska for safe blowing and burglary.

10. Stephen Monaghan

Sepia-toned portrait of a young boy with short light hair, wearing a dark coat and plaid scarf, seated on a wooden chair and looking seriously at the camera, hand resting on his chest.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

Monaghan, aged 14, was convicted of stealing money on July 25, 1873. He was sentenced to 10 days of hard labor and three years in the Market Weighton Reformatory in England. Harsh!

11. Nannie Hutchinson

Vintage black-and-white mugshot of a woman with an elaborate updo, shown in profile and front view, wearing a patterned, high-necked dress with puffed sleeves. A sign with numbers is visible above her head.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

Talk about a rough day at work. Hutchinson was arrested in the late 1800s after being charged with the murder of her employer.

12. Bert Martin

Black and white portrait of a man in a suit, sitting and facing forward. There is a number "3956" above his head and dark damage marks at the top of the image. The background is plain and faded.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

Martin was convicted for stealing a horse in Nebraska’s Keya Paha County. During his time in jail, Martin worked at the broom factory.

13. Thomas ‘Prof’ Whitney

A vintage mugshot and arrest record card for Thos. Whitney, alias "Todd", age 33, a clairvoyant from Omaha, showing his photograph and personal details, including physical description and arrest information.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

The OG grifter: Whitney was convicted of “obtaining money under false pretenses” after advertising his services as a clairvoyant, palmist, and astrologer in local newspapers.

14. Herbert Cockran

Two-panel image: Left panel shows a sepia mugshot of a young man with tousled hair, labeled "595." Right panel is a handwritten police record detailing his name, alias, physical traits, arrest info, and crime (burglary).
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

Cockran, a tailor from Fairmont, Nebraska, was arrested on November 24, 1899, on charges of burglary.

15. James Whitewater

Sepia-toned portrait of a man with short dark hair, wearing a patterned suit and high-collared shirt. The number "84" is handwritten in red at the top of the photograph.
Lepke2011/Reddit.com

After killing two men, Whitewater was sentenced to 17 years in prison. He reportedly embraced Christianity while in jail and “rolled in the grass for joy” after being released.

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Author
Alina Wang

From Queens, New York, Alina has a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communications from CUNY Baruch and enjoys writing and creating content on a variety of topics, including lifestyle, politics, and, of course, wealth trends. Find her on X @atlasseventeen