Frank Tarbeaux (nee Frank Tarbox) was a 19th and ealry 20th century conman. This attutude extended to his autobiography but there is some truth in what was written. He was born about 1856 in Freeport, IL to the family of Horace Tarbox, a wealthy businessman who had holding on the american frontier. frank's sister, Mary, was wed to Charles A. Moore who was running a buisness along the Oregon Trail in colooradoi and Nebraksa Territories. This is probalby where Frank got a good many of his stories.

Tarbeaux encarcerated in Great britian for attmepted murder and di his time pon the Isle of Wight under the name of Frank Taylor. His release in 1902 wasmet with wide spread internaitonal publicity.