She posed as a nurse during the 1918 flu pandemic and went on a crime spree

Chronicling the shocking escapades of a fake flu-nurse a century ago. "'While influenza patients died or lived, Julia, clad in nurse's uniform, plundered their homes,' the Tribune reported. After one woman called for a nurse, Julia went to the drug store for her to fill a prescription for oxygen that cost $5 but told her patient it cost $63, equal to $85 and $1,077 today. 'Julia tarried briefly, taking when she flew two rings, two lady's suits, a pair of oxfords and a breast pin.'" Ronald G. Shafer tells the shocking story of Julia Lyons, a criminal who preyed on the sick and dying in Chicago.