In almost no case was there what an intelligent,
civilized man would regard as an adequate reason for the
homicide. They killed because they felt like killing, and
yielded to the impulse, whatever its immediate origin.
This conclusion is abundantly supported by the figures of the
'Chicago Tribune' for the seven years ending in 1900, when
carefully analyzed. During this period 62,812 homicides were
recorded. Of these there were 17,120 of which the causes were
unknown and 3,204 committed while making a justifiable arrest,
in self-defence, or by the insane, so that there were in fact
only 42,488 felonious homicides the causes of which can be
definitely alleged. The ratio of the "quarrels" to this net
total is about seventy-five per cent. There were, in
addition, 2,848 homicides due to liquor--that is, without
cause. Thus eighty per cent of all the murders and
manslaughters in the United States for a period of seven years
were for no reason at all or from mere anger or habit, arising
out of causes often of the most trifling character.
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