>>Do you realize not too long ago many of the things you mentioned would be death penalty crimes?<<
Although I agree with that sentiment, the opposite is true as well. At least one of the things mentioned would have stirred no more interest in the general public than driving slightly over the speed limit on occasion would now.
True, but life was incredibly harder back then. People still would have considered the person cruel and an idiot for doing it. The difference today now too, is that these things come to light and millions of people can know about it. Back then he could do this for decades and people probably may never have found out.