The Shooting Salvationist: J. Frank Norris and the Murder Trial that Captivated America

The Shooting Salvationist: J. Frank Norris and the Murder Trial that Captivated America by David R. Stokes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My wife bought me this book for Valentine's Day. The cover of my book says, "ADVANCE READING COPY NOT FOR SALE," so I might have an unedited copy.

I never knew that J. Frank Norris killed a man until I heard about this book about a year or so ago. J. Frank Norris was a famous pastor in the 1920's -1950's. He had a church in Fort Worth, TX, that had a membership of several thousand people. This was a fasinating read for me. The author, David R. Stokes, is a pastor and an author. He wrote the book from the perspective that J. Frank Norris should be convicted for the killing. The book has some interesting side notes about history from the 20's. One example is the trail and acquittal of Clara Hamon. Clara had shot and killed Jake Hamon, the "Oil King of Oklahoma."  Jake was one of the wealthiest men in the West and he also backed the Republican presidential candidate in 1920, Warren G. Harding. Harding planned to reward Hamon with the job of secretary of the interior. Florence was Jake's real wife, Clara was the "other" woman. Clara's last name was not fake. Jake had paid his nephew, Frank, ten thousand dollars to marry Clara so she would have the "Hamon" last name. In order for Jake to take the Secretary of Interior job, Harding required Jake to get back with his real wife. To make a long story short Clara could not bear losing Jake so she shot him.

There are people who agree with Stokes such as Trevin Wax, who writes a great blog about lessons learned from this book. Then there are others who disagree such as Roy Falls who has several youtube viedos about the topic.

If you enjoy history, court cases, or/and religion you will enjoy this book.



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