Extremely well –– that is how local author Jim Baumgratz described the reception of the first volume in his book series “Elk County Murders.”
Volume II has arrived less than a year after his wildly popular first volume.
“The first volume sold extremely well. In fact, it is now in its second printing as many missed it last year and the readership has grown,” Baumgratz explained. “I was constantly hit with questions on when the second volume would be out, and although I planned to have it out by Christmas, it took a bit longer. The second volume is selling faster than the first due to the anticipation.”
Baumgratz describes the “Lost in Highland” story of Volume II as the most intriguing in his eyes.
“This case, which mostly took place in McKean County –– the boy was from Lamont, on the edge of Elk County –– involved a young boy who went missing on a beautiful April day back in 1910 while fishing with several other youths,” he said. “The boys were startled by a ‘strange’ man who appeared out of the underbrush and his appearance caused them all to run, but the young Steffan boy was never seen again.”
According to Baumgratz, the cover picture of Volume II depicts Frank Galeazzo, who was a victim of the Black Hand in Johnsonburg. The Black Hand was defined in some instances as a type of Italian or Italian-American extortion racket.
“What I have since found out since the printing is that the victim’s young wife and young son both went back to live in Italy after Galeazzo’s slaying as they were afraid of the Black Hand,” he remarked. “The grandchildren of the victim now have copies of the book to read about what happened to their grandfather, back in 1923.”
Baumgratz said he is currently working on a volume III for Elk County and is also working on editions for McKean County and Cattaraugus County, N.Y. His future endeavors include volumes for Erie County and the Finger Lakes region in New York.
Baumgratz will hold a book signing and discussion from 6 to 8 p.m. April 25 at On the Side Books at 10 Kennedy St. in Bradford.
“Anybody who is interested in true crime and local history would and have found my books to be most interesting,” he commented. “I have been told by many that they have not read a book in 30 years, but they could not put my book down.”
