Television programs, such as Law and Order and CSI, have acquainted most people with the modern techniques for solving crimes. However, for most of our past, sleuths did as much as they could to investigate crimes, lacking the most basic of tools. There wasn’t much the sheriff, part-time constable, justice of the peace or coroner could do, except rely on obvious physical evidence and witnesses. As the scientific age arrived, great advances in police science allowed detectives to crack complex cases. Drawing on notorious crimes and real mysteries from yesteryear, this program shows how science, technology and professional police practices helped detectives catch and convict criminals and close once unsolvable cases.
CSI, the Historical Edition — A free program at the Pikesville Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library
While exploring the history of capital punishment in pre-World War II, New Jersey, I stumbled upon an elusive artifact during a visit to the Cape May County Archive in August 2024. As I inquired about 19th-century judicial documents and outlined the scope of my research, the Records Room Supervisor casually mentioned the “Murder Map.”1
Map of the crime scene, February 1894 (Cape May County Archive)
Naturally, that piqued my curiosity, prompting me to ask, “What’s the murder map?” The Deputy Clerk responded by guiding me to a liber in the Hall of Records containing old property maps.2 There, I found myself viewing a unique item stored between sheets of mundane land surveys from the 1890s–Exhibit A for a 130-year-old capital case. It was labeled the “Map of the locality of the MURDER of Sarah Pierce in the vicinity of Goshen,” February 1894.3
This meticulously hand-drawn map, once crucial evidence in a high-profile Cape May County murder trial, was produced by Leaming M. Rice, Jr., a civil engineer. Following the murder on February 19, 1894, the county prosecutor commissioned him to create an accurate survey of the crime scene.4 This surviving drawing offers a rare glimpse into the intersection of emerging forensic science, cartography, police investigative methods, and legal proceedings in the late 19th century.
Examining the map’s detailed annotations, which include the precise location of the victim’s body, the arrangement of structures, the placement of furniture, and other relevant markers, provided a visual representation of the crime scene for the jury. For 21st-century researchers studying the past, it offers valuable insight into the slowly emerging investigative techniques of crime scene investigation in the late 19th century.
Initially presented as evidence at the trial, this haunting map—professionally sketched and measured at a scale of 10 feet to the inch—does more than chronicle a harrowing event; it highlights the nascent stages of systematic criminal investigations in late 19th-century South Jersey, a time when investigations were only beginning to use systematic practices.
This artifact not only sheds light on the specific case of Sarah Pierce but also situates it within a larger framework for understanding the development of crime scene investigations and judicial practices. This serendipitous discovery, with its meticulous rendering, underscores the significance of archival research when investigating the past.
Endnotes
On February 19, 1894, Sarah Pierce was murdered and her husband, Richard PIerce, Jr. was charged. The court found him guilty, and the sheriff hung him in July 1894. ↩︎
Liber refers to a specific type of record-keeping book used in legal contexts. Legalbriefai.com writes: “Think of it as a logbook or ledger where important documents are recorded.” ↩︎
Rice, Leaming R., Jr. Map of the locality of the MURDER of Sarah Pierce in the vicinity of Goshen. February 1894. Cape May County Clerk of the Court’s Office, Cape May County, New Jersey. ↩︎
Fulginiti, Rita Marie. “The Pierce Murder: A Goshen, NJ Tragedy in 1894.” Cape May County Historical Magazine, Special Deputy Clerk, Cape May County, 1990. ↩︎
ELKTON, Nov. 22, 2024 — This past Friday, I spent the day with a talented team at 1895 Films, a Los Angeles production company known for its Emmy and Peabody Award-winning video productions. They are working on a documentary about an early settler in Cecil County, MD, and I was excited to lend my expertise in social history to the project.
Our discussion examined the region’s economic, cultural, political, and family dynamics during the early decades of the 18th century. The four-person production crew was inquisitive, eager to uncover centuries-old narratives that define the social and cultural fabric of the Upper Chesapeake.
We drew on the rich collection of original records from the Historical Society of Cecil County, which document life for this pioneer settler and the pivotal era. The Society’s holdings are vast, and these records help genealogists, researchers, and curious types put together the pieces of the puzzle every week.
This collaboration not only highlights the significance of local history but also underscores the importance of preserving and sharing these stories for future generations. I look forward to seeing how 1895 Films weaves these narratives into a compelling documentary that honors the legacy of this early settler.
Mike Dixon discussing early 18th century life for a documentary film.
I am pleased to announce that Delaware Humanities has selected my new talk, “Collision on Route 40: Cold War Tensions & Civil Rights,” for inclusion in the 2024-25 Speakers Bureau and Visiting Scholars program. This presentation delves into the unexpected role that Route 40, stretching across Delaware and Maryland, played as a battleground for Cold War tensions and the civil rights movement.
This vital corridor, linking Baltimore to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, witnessed the intersection of significant historical forces. Here, international diplomacy, African decolonization, Jim Crow laws, Soviet propaganda, and the courageous actions of Freedom Riders converged, creating a unique challenge for the Kennedy administration. This talk will explore how these global tensions and domestic policies collided on Route 40, shaping the social and political landscape of the era
This complex history impacted international relations and local communities, establishing Route 40 as a focal point in the broader narratives of the Cold War and civil rights movement.
The Delaware Humanities Speakers Program connects scholars with community groups, organizations, libraries, and K-12 classrooms throughout the state. These programs allow those with expertise in various humanities-centered fields to give enriching and informative presentations to local audiences.
Presentations are offered in two formats:
Speakers Bureau Presentations – designed for public audiences.
Visiting Scholars Presentations – tailored specifically for elementary and secondary school students.
