From Orcas Island to Tacoma, and west to the Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas, the American section of the Salish Sea serves as an abundant setting for a wild ride through Washington's history of crime and punishment.

These stories came primarily from the pages of old newspapers--the earliest occurred in 1856, the latest in 1938. They are the tales of crimes and criminals, of the lawmen who hunted them down, and the lawyers and judges who threw them into our system of justice. They are also the stories of lost lives and shattered families.

Most of these tales from Washington State's boisterous history generated enormous headlines at the time, and local newspapers sometimes played an outsize role in the unfolding drama. Other stories simply offer an irresistible cast of characters or a stunning twist in our justice system. Although the language and manners might seem quaint and occasionally absurd, and the iniquities and prejudices of the day were blatant, the details often show that, after all, not much has changed.