Review: Death In A Hansom Cab by Kerry Segrave

Synopsis: This is the story about two lovers riding in a hansom cab in New York City on June 4 1904. A single shot rang out and Caesar Young was dead. Nan Patterson soon came to be charged with murder in the first degree. 

Three trials followed; three mistrials ensued. But the trials of the 21-year-old woman weren’t so much about establishing the “facts” about Young’s death as they were about persecuting a young woman. Editorials were often printing pointing out that Nan deserved to be punished, regardless of the Young death. In their view she needed to be punished for her so-called moral lapses. She committed adultery and she was a home wrecker, a charge not leveled at Young. She was an actor and they were held in low esteem, especially the females, who were all immoral. Also, she stayed out late and participated in champagne suppers.

The story is about appalling media coverage that alternated between publishing smear pieces about the young woman, and making up tales about interviews with Nan that had not happened. It is about a poor quality prosecution that consisted mainly of lies and fanciful, bizarre theories about the death of Young. It is about the state refusing to grant bail and to set speedy trial dates. 

The story of Nan Patterson is the story of the persecution of a young woman under the guise of prosecution.

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The topic and sensationalism of the crime and trials that followed should have made for an interesting book. Should have being the operative word. Unfortunately, the author relied solely upon newspaper articles - sensationalised, most often incorrect, and most definitely not a source to rely upon for context and information. Were any trial transcripts or other source documents available?? I don't know - a google search only throws up newspaper items. However, as a reader, one would expect trial notes to be available and used - afterall, there were three trials and subject matter took up much newsprint at the time.

I would have liked to be able to compare this work with "The Nan Patterson Case" by Newman Levy (unfortunately don't have a copy of that one) to see what sources were used and available for that tome.

For what it was, it was an okay book that at least showed how the perceived perception of both victim and alleged perpetrator can sway and be swayed by public opinion, either for or against, despite (and in spite of) the evidence at hand.

Read December 2025

Note: not to be confused with The Mystery Of A Hansom Cab by Fergus Hume