Learn about infamous criminal when author visits Des Plaines
Editor's note: The date of the program has been corrected.
Financial cons are nothing new - and you can learn about a particularly infamous case in an upcoming program in Des Plaines.
Author and historian William Hazelgrove will visit the Des Plaines History Center on Thursday, Jan. 12th, to discuss the case of criminal Cassie Chadwick, who claimed to be the illegitimate daughter of steel titan Andrew Carnegie in the 1890s and 1900s.
Through her false claim, Chadwick defrauded banks of at least $2 million in loans. She lived lavishly and became something of a celebrity in Ohio, where she resided at the time.
The con unraveled when one of the bankers who had loaned money to Chadwick called in the debt. An arrest, trial and prison time followed.
Dubbed "Greed in the Gilded Age: The Brilliant Con of Cassie Chadwick," Hazelgrove's program is set for 1:30 p.m. at the history center, 781 Pearson St.
The discussion is part of the center's free Coffee Talks program, a series focusing on historical topics. It's sponsored by Village Bank & Trust.
For more information about the center, visit desplaineshistory.org or call (847) 391-5399.