This unique compendium is based on more than two hundred nineteenth century news stories and gives a fascinating glimpse into the Black Country at its industrial peak. From short news snippets to longer articles, the stories range from sad to amusing to truly shocking. The stories include all manner of crime, from petty theft to brutal murder, along with accidents and disasters in and around the canals, railways, collieries, factories, streets and homes of the area. Further articles tell of the diseases that afflicted the towns, how they were spread and eventually controlled. Unlike some general interest local history books, precise sources are quoted for every article. The book also includes a handy list of almost five hundred surnames, streets and businesses mentioned in the text, to assist those who wish to engage in further research. Please note that many of the stories are unsuitable for children.