Joe Goodbody

Old histories dismissed Parker Hardin French as a comical, quixotic minor figure—half myth, half joke, buried in distorted 19th-century yarns. KENTUCKY BARRACUDA reveals the truth: a charismatic, Kentucky-born barracuda who shaped antebellum & Civil War history as a master manipulator and con man—making national headlines while charming and swindling presidents, pioneers, and everyone in between. Starting today: juicy Nuggets from his wild, wicked, world-shaking life!

THANKS for the repost!! Appreciated.

Nugget 18: When my Great-Grandfather Francis Alexander Goodbody — a likely naïve 22-year-old Illinois farm boy — reached New York, he discovered every steamship ticket to California was sold out for months. Discouraged and frustrated, Frank picked up a newspaper and spotted what looked like the perfect solution: Captain Parker H. French was advertising passage on his “French’s Express Passenger Train.” The ad read like a modern tourism brochure: “FOR CALIFORNIA: French’s Express Passenger Train. From NEW YORK to Port LAVACA, in Texas, by Steamship, thence by comfortable and easy wagon coaches along the line of our military posts, through San Antonio. The route crosses the Continent in the mild regions of the 29th and 30th latitudes, ascending gradually over the gently swelling uplands of Western Texas, through the delightful and cultivated country around El Paso, down the banks of the Gila amid the ancient Aztec ruins and hieroglyphic evidence of a civilization that has long since passed away, thence over the magnificent plains of California to San Francisco. Thirty large spring wagons have been prepared, drawn by six mules… with everything necessary for the expedition.” It sounded irresistible. Of all the marooned, frustrated, and anxious gold-seekers — some despairing, some just daring — who wouldn’t jump at the chance? My Great-Grandfather bit. And why not? The pleasant, charismatic, and obviously competent “Captain” personally explained the advantages of his route while stressing the disease and dangers of others. He promised security from sixty Texas Rangers armed with two mountain howitzers and led by a Mexican War veteran. He even said the party might loiter in the Gila River valley just long enough to prospect for gold — and if they found enough, there might be no reason to go any farther. Best of all, he guaranteed they’d reach San Francisco in sixty days… or he would forfeit $5 per day for every day over. Frank confidently plunked down the $250 fee (over $10,000 today). Would you have taken that deal? Ever had an ancestor swept up in a wild scheme? #FamilyHistory #CaliforniaGoldRush #HistoryNuggets

Nugget 19: It turns out my Great Grandfather wasn’t some lone mark — he was in elite company. Parker French didn’t just con random strangers. He moved through the 1850 “Who’s Who,” partnering with, recruiting, and ruthlessly leveraging the most powerful names of the era. He charmed, manipulated, intimidated, and ultimately swindled many: Newspaper giant Horace Greeley. Shipping titan William Aspinwall (Howland & Aspinwall) — powerhouse behind Pacific trade, the Gold Rush, and maritime empire Secretary of War George Crawford Steamship magnate George Law, obsessed with Caribbean expansion and seizing Cuba from Spain Spanish Officer turned revolutionary Narciso López New Orleans hoteliers & restaurateurs U.S. Army legends including Major General George Brooke (the Army’s top general) and Major James Longstreet (future Confederate icon) Hardened Texas Rangers, war veterans, ranchers, merchants, freighters, bullwhackers, & muleskinners. In the end, over 250 passengers and French’s own employees — including my great-grandfather — were left defrauded. Total known fraud and embezzlement? Roughly $17 million in today’s dollars… and almost certainly far more. They all likely pondered the same: How in the world did he keep getting away with it? And how did he escape personal retribution? #texashistory #antebellumhistory #californiagoldrush

Nugget 17: In spring 1850, fresh off his successful fraud in St. Louis, Parker Hardin French reinvented himself in New York City. He crowned himself “Captain,” snagged flashy office space smack in the heart of Tammany Hall, and unleashed a slick ad blitz promising the ultimate shortcut to riches. His posters and newspaper ads painted pure fantasy: a luxurious 60-day pleasure cruise straight to the California gold fields. No brutal overland marches. No deadly sea voyages. Just “novelty, romance, and adventure”—with “bushels of gold lying loose for the taking.” Hundreds of wide-eyed dreamers fell for it. His own personal secretary later nailed the sheer audacity: “Of all the schemes hatched to rush eager gold seekers to the Sunset Land in those feverish days… this was the wildest and most desperate, both in conception and detail.” What started as the ultimate “pleasure trip” quickly spiraled into one of the era's most infamous cons. The real story of Parker H. French’s expedition? Far stranger, darker, and more outrageous than even the ads outlandish claims—packed with betrayal, fraud, forgery, embezzlement, arrests, shootouts, and jaw-dropping scams… plus plenty of well-connected victims and exploited who never saw it coming. Ready for the wild twists? Grab the full story in the book. a.co/d/0eOW672Ufor #GoldRushScam #ParkerHFrench #CaliforniaGoldRush #ConMan #Fraud #AmericanHistory #TammanyHall #WildWest

@Brian42600712 Cheers back. I graduated from UNO. Go Mavericks.

I'm following North Carolina Army Veteran 🫡💪🍺🇺🇸 🇺🇲👇👇👇👇🇺🇲 @ejgoodb Thank you, Sir, for your service 🇺🇲 Cheers from Nebraska 🇺🇲

Nugget 16: My own little “nugget” The real-life spark that led me to write Kentucky Barracuda? My great-grandfather, Francis Alexander Goodbody (1828–1906), a 22-year-old Illinois farm boy, was swindled by the notorious con man. He lost the equivalent of over $10,000 in today’s money — a devastating sum for a young man heading West in the Gold Rush. That family story hooked me. The rest is history. #KentuckyBarracuda #antebellumhistory #GoldRush #genealogy a.co/d/0eOW672U

Nugget 15: In today's dollars, Parker Hardin French pulled off at least ~$90 million in attempted frauds, scams, embezzlements, and swindles. Of that, roughly $73 million were successful. That's just what's documented in newspapers, court records, Mexico claims, bankruptcy files, and more. Who knows how much went unreported?"

Nugget 14: In a Louisville Courier takedown of Parker H. French's wild, disreputable life, they couldn't resist a nostalgic sigh: 'But a few short years since we knew French as a lad, whose reputation was without blemish or reproach… whose daily walk won the confidence of his employer and the entire community.' Article summary: Such a good boy—what happened to him? #KentuckyBarracuda #kentuckyhistory #louisvilleky

Nugget 13: The Rest of the book: Parker Hardin French (1826–1878), the "Kentucky Barracuda," had the upbringing, intelligence, energy, and ambition for a highly successful, respectable life. His resume, leaving out inconvenient adjectives, reads like that of an extraordinarily adventurous serial entrepreneur always chasing the next big opportunity. Yet from 1850 until his death, nearly every scheme he pursued carried the hallmarks of fraud, swindle, sham, or embezzlement. Persuasive, confident, and tough, French relied on quick wits, charisma, and a disarming manner. When challenged, his magnetic personality and gift of gab often extricated him from precarious—or even life-threatening—situations. When charm failed, he turned to intimidation, threats of blackmail, extortion, or lawsuits. He likely leveraged family ties (Todd/Lincoln/Calhoun) for political and business connections—perhaps even as a "get-out-of-jail-free" card. French had an uncanny ability to convince even the most experienced and skeptical people of his deals' greatness and profitability. His targets ranged from ordinary citizens to the elite: exuberant investors, innocent travelers, frontier toughs, business tycoons, prominent politicians, and U.S. Army officers. Even his seemingly legitimate ventures often ended with someone duped. The speed and scope of his adventures are staggering. Before age 30, he was: Leader of a fraudulent gold rush expedition Implicated in an irregular invasion of Cuba. Jailed bandit then paramilitary hero in Mexico Lawyer, district attorney, legislator, journalist, and political enforcer in California Key member of the American cabal governing Nicaragua Appointed (but rejected) as Nicaraguan ambassador to the United States In his 30s, he kept going: real estate developer, lawyer, journalist, conspirator in a plot to invade Mexico, jailed seditionist and Confederate agent, lawyer and purveyor for Union troops. When Colonel Parker Hardin French died on June 19, 1878, his passing went largely unnoticed. Newspapers had prematurely reported his death at least five times before—he'd been "killed" in gunfights twice, executed in Mexico (once by firing squad, once by hanging), and slain in Nicaragua. Acquaintances suspected he drank himself to death (whiskey and chloroform cocktails). For stretches without scandalous reports, many assumed he was already gone—only to be surprised he wasn't. Even his funeral could be seen as one final spectacular scam: a scandalous rogue's life ending in a well-attended, elaborate, spiritual, and ceremonious send-off. Stay tuned for chapter-by-chapter synopses: improbable adventures and remarkable scams; famous and powerful men he manipulated and cheated; escapes, evasions, and dodges. And…some of his capers are downright funny. Get the book: a.co/d/0eOW672U #History #TrueCrime #19thCentury #ConMan #Adventure #Filibuster #KentuckyBarracuda #Swindler #AntebellumAmerica #CivilWar

If you're interested in a personally autographed or inscribed copy of KENTUCKY BARRACUDA: The Notorious Scoundrel and Delightful Rogue of Antebellum & Civil War America (now available in both English and Spanish!), just reach out via the contact form here: kentuckybarracuda.com/contact-us Please include: Your preferred email, phone number, and mailing address Paperback or hardcover English or Spanish edition Any specific inscription you'd like I'll arrange payment via Venmo, PayPal, or check by mail. Pricing (US shipping/handling included): Paperback (English or Spanish): $25 Hardcover (English or Spanish): $30 I have paperback copies ready to ship now. Hardcovers may take 5–10 extra days due to printing/fulfillment. Foreign shipping costs available on request—DM or email me! Looking forward to personalizing one for you! #KentuckyBarracuda #SignedBooks #HistoryBooks"

Nugget 12: Ship Matilda. Disaster upon disaster. In 1849, St. Louis was devastated by twin catastrophes that crippled its economy. Just two weeks after the launch, the Great Fire of May 17 started on the riverfront and soon devastated the city. It destroyed ~430 buildings across 15 riverfront blocks, 23 steamboats, plus uncounted rivercraft. The central business district was gutted, impacting hundreds of firms, throwing thousands out of work, and leaving hundreds homeless. Then came the raging cholera epidemic, which killed an estimated 4,500–8,000 people (roughly 7–10% of the city's ~70,000 population). Panic shut down nearly all business; mass exodus drained the remaining labor force. Parker Hardin French watched his quick-profit scheme vanish. He and Lucretia fled the city, abandoning everyone who had committed the $90K—leaving them in the lurch. The venture was perhaps French's first lesson in the profitable opportunities afforded by manipulation and fraud. #antebellumhistory #Stlouismohistory #Mississippiriverhistory

THANKS!! I have a little pride in the design of the cover. The darkness highlighted by the burnished/cracked gold certainly fit Parker French. The title of the book and the subtitle describe the character of the man and the theme of the book. Subtitle parts "notorious scoundrel" & "delightful rogue" both come from period news editors reflecting the prevailing views of French. The most fun was the research, both digitally and onsite in archives, libraries, record centers etc. I often had a laugh or headshake of amazement. The toughest was just organization of all the reference material for writing---multiple different tries at various data sorts trying to arrange the information before I settled on just a chronological sequence that fit well with the flow of the chapters. Never having written a book I also struggled with "how-to" which eluded me even with the help of "how to" books. I finally found a book written by two Australian ladies and I paraphrase the title: "How to write history that people will actually read". One of their keys was to write biographies using elements of novels: plot, characters, setting, conflict etc. After that I just told the stories. Thanks for asking!!

@ejgoodb Love this cover, it fits the story’s mood perfectly. What part of the book was the most fun (or hardest) for you to write?

Nugget 11: Ship Matilda. Suppliers provided timber. Shipbuilders provided labor. Merchants extended credit. Investors weighed in. Shippers committed to cargo space. Passengers bought passage. An estimated $90,000 was committed. That number needs translation. In simple inflation, $90,000 in 1849 equals about $3–4 million today. But in real economic impact, historians estimate the equivalent closer to $70–100 million in today’s economy. For a frontier river city, it was enormous. To understand the scale: In 1849, $90,000 could build multiple Mississippi steamboats or miles of railroad. It represented the kind of capital that supported entire commercial networks. All who entered the fray would soon regret their decision. #Missourihistory #antebellumhistory #stlouismohistory #

Nugget 10: May 3, 1849, St. Louis, MO – Daily Missouri Republican To roaring public acclaim and bursting city pride, the 470-ton sailing ship Matilda was launched as a bold symbol of a “new era in the growth, prosperity and mechanical improvement of our city.” “A multitude of our citizens assembled last evening at the shipyard of French & Co. to witness the launching of the first ship ever put upon the ways in this city…we found difficulty getting a position to see, so dense was the throng, including a large number of ladies… she soon launched and glided off in majestic style into her native element, with colors flying without any accident to mar the scene. As she struck the water the force of the current caused her to careen to starboard, to the terror of a number of persons on board not acquainted with the cause, who rushed to the opposite side of the deck to the infinite delight of those on shore, but as soon as her full length reached the water, righted with her bow upstream and sat upon the river as graceful as a swan.” But the shoe was about to drop... 😟 #maritimehistory #antebellumhistory #StLouismohistory

Nugget 9: On Tuesday, April 10, 1849, and taking a break from ship building, Parker H. French cemented his alliance with the powerful Edwards family. He and Lucretia Clay Edwards were wed near Alton, Illinois, at her father’s Wood River estate. The celebration continued that night at the Virginia Hotel in St. Louis. #AltonIllinoishistory #StLouisMOhistory

Nugget 8: Ship Matilda Deck space already claimed by Parker French, shipping 40 prefab "portable houses" (320 sq ft each) + 1 large warehouse—likely to launch a commission merchant biz in SF. Smart play: sell picks, shovels, pants & boots, not dig for gold himself. By March 15, national buzz: Boston Herald praised the unfinished Matilda as “a superior vessel of her class” in “Ship Building at St. Louis.” #stlouismohistory #missourihistory #maritimehistory #antebellumhistory

Nugget 7: The Ship Matilda The impressive 470-ton vessel was built entirely of oak, copper-sheathed & fastened. Hull: 4-inch planking + 3-inch ceiling. Dimensions: 132 ft long, 28 ft beam, 17 ft depth. Accommodations for 28 passengers; capacity up to 6,000 barrels. Photo of a daguerreotype. Held by #MissouriHistory Museum. Photograph and Prints Collection. #antebellumhistory #usmaritimehistory

@nicksortor Perhaps with help UAE could also seize their islands occupied by Iran. All overlook the shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz.

@nicksortor Now need GCC countries to engage their apparently capable naval forces. Combo escort of allied/US naval and air both fixed and rotary should do the trick.