"A portion of the proceeds from each copy will go towards the Ende, Menzer, Walsh & Quinn Retirees Widows and Children's Assistance Fund to help the widows and orphans of Chicago."--Page [4] of cover

This is the extraordinary true story of three childhood friends and witnesses to the Great Chicago Fire who became early-twentieth century celebrities, only to have their lives end tragically. The book exposes shocking facts that prove each of the three men were entangled in the most notorious crimes in the nation's history. The most famous of the three friends, Charles "The Old Roman" Comiskey, was the craftiest player/manager in professional baseball history and the true founder of the American League. His life spiraled out of control when he became wrapped up in the infamous Black Sox Scandal. The second, James "Big Jim" Horan, rises to the rank of First Fire Marshal of Chicago and establishes himself as the most influential trailblazer in American firefighting. His great deeds are cut short when he, along with twenty-two other firefighters, became involved in the most tragic fire in American history. The third, Fred Busse, ascends to Postmaster under President Theodore Roosevelt, and then due to a bizarre accident, becomes Mayor of Chicago. As mayor, after he crumbles the most notorious vice district in America's history, the Levee, his life takes a turn for the worse