Deaths: 9 confirmed, 27 admitted, 200 suspected --- Victims: Mostly female, but it didn’t stop him from going after others. --- Mental: Possible psychopath, addiction to the game (con artistry and the hunt of his victims) |
Name: Dr. Henry Howard Holmes/ H.H.Holmes/Beast of Chicago --- Real Name: Herman Webster Mudgett --- Started Killing: Animals: Elementary school/ Humans: Unknown when started --- Date of Birth/Death: May 16,1861 – May 7, 1896 (Hanging) |
Born
May 16, 1861 to Levi Horton Mudgett and Theodate Page Price, in Gilmanton, New
Hampshire; Herman was the third of their four children. His mother was a stay
at home mom, while his father was a farmer who followed the bible strictly,
especially the proverbs 13:24 “He that spareth his rod, hateth his son.” His
father would display his devotion in an alcoholic rage by beating him savagely
on a regular basis. But through it all Herman still excelled at school, and his
brilliance brought much jealousy and anger from his classmates.
May 16, 1861 to Levi Horton Mudgett and Theodate Page Price, in Gilmanton, New
Hampshire; Herman was the third of their four children. His mother was a stay
at home mom, while his father was a farmer who followed the bible strictly,
especially the proverbs 13:24 “He that spareth his rod, hateth his son.” His
father would display his devotion in an alcoholic rage by beating him savagely
on a regular basis. But through it all Herman still excelled at school, and his
brilliance brought much jealousy and anger from his classmates.
He
was a frail boy, with blue eyes and brown hair, but regardless of his looks he
stilled shunned the other children, especially due to their bullying. The
extent of their bullying went as far as forcing the young Herman into the local
doctors’ office and having him go face to face with a real human skeleton.
Little did they know that this one act of bullying snapped a once delicate
mind? Showing almost no fear, Herman instead was ignited with a flame of
obsession and fascination with death.
was a frail boy, with blue eyes and brown hair, but regardless of his looks he
stilled shunned the other children, especially due to their bullying. The
extent of their bullying went as far as forcing the young Herman into the local
doctors’ office and having him go face to face with a real human skeleton.
Little did they know that this one act of bullying snapped a once delicate
mind? Showing almost no fear, Herman instead was ignited with a flame of
obsession and fascination with death.
Herman did make
one childhood friend; the boy’s name was Tom and he was slightly older than
Herman but the friendship didn’t last long. Tom died in a tragic accident that
Herman saw all too clearly. So clear, that Herman was actually standing right
behind him at the time of his fall down the stairs of an abandoned house. So
close, that he could have put out his hand and touch Tom’s back without even
reaching at all.
one childhood friend; the boy’s name was Tom and he was slightly older than
Herman but the friendship didn’t last long. Tom died in a tragic accident that
Herman saw all too clearly. So clear, that Herman was actually standing right
behind him at the time of his fall down the stairs of an abandoned house. So
close, that he could have put out his hand and touch Tom’s back without even
reaching at all.
When
he was eleven he began to secretly do medical experiments on animals. Starting
off small with frogs and salamanders and moving up to stray dogs; but these
experiments revolved mostly around dissection and removal of the organs.
he was eleven he began to secretly do medical experiments on animals. Starting
off small with frogs and salamanders and moving up to stray dogs; but these
experiments revolved mostly around dissection and removal of the organs.
His
new hobbies didn’t slow down his education, he graduated high school at the age
of 16 and later through the years he went to the University of Vermont, which
he dropped out of a year later claiming it was too small and boring for him. In
1882 he enrolled in the University of Michigan of Medicine and Surgery and
graduated in June 1884. While in the University he started the first of his
cons, stealing cadavers from the laboratory, disfiguring the bodies and
claiming the victims were killed in an accident, he collected the insurance
money from the policies that he took out on each deceased person.
new hobbies didn’t slow down his education, he graduated high school at the age
of 16 and later through the years he went to the University of Vermont, which
he dropped out of a year later claiming it was too small and boring for him. In
1882 he enrolled in the University of Michigan of Medicine and Surgery and
graduated in June 1884. While in the University he started the first of his
cons, stealing cadavers from the laboratory, disfiguring the bodies and
claiming the victims were killed in an accident, he collected the insurance
money from the policies that he took out on each deceased person.
Throughout
the years, he married three times, never truly divorcing any of his wives, and
having two children. He moved all over from New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan,
New York, Philadelphia and Illinois, taking on many jobs and performing
hundreds of cons.
the years, he married three times, never truly divorcing any of his wives, and
having two children. He moved all over from New Hampshire, Vermont, Michigan,
New York, Philadelphia and Illinois, taking on many jobs and performing
hundreds of cons.
When
he moved to Mooers Forks, New York; a rumor began to spread that Herman was the
last seen with a little boy who later went missing. Herman claimed the boy went
back to his home in Massachusetts and no investigation took place. Herman left
town.
he moved to Mooers Forks, New York; a rumor began to spread that Herman was the
last seen with a little boy who later went missing. Herman claimed the boy went
back to his home in Massachusetts and no investigation took place. Herman left
town.
While
in Philadelphia, he worked at a drugstore where while working there, a boy died
from taking medicine that was bought there Herman denied any involvement and
left the city.
in Philadelphia, he worked at a drugstore where while working there, a boy died
from taking medicine that was bought there Herman denied any involvement and
left the city.
In
August 1886, Herman moves to Chicago, Illinois where he changes his name to Dr.
Henry Howard Holmes, originally to escape his practiced cons. Once moved he gets
a job working at Elizabeth S. Holten’s drugstore at the southwest corner of
South Wallace Avenue and West 63rd St. Unknowing to Elizabeth, she
opened the door to the man who would be named ‘Beast of Chicago.’
August 1886, Herman moves to Chicago, Illinois where he changes his name to Dr.
Henry Howard Holmes, originally to escape his practiced cons. Once moved he gets
a job working at Elizabeth S. Holten’s drugstore at the southwest corner of
South Wallace Avenue and West 63rd St. Unknowing to Elizabeth, she
opened the door to the man who would be named ‘Beast of Chicago.’
Soon
after, Elizabeth’s husband dies and Holmes is offered to buy the drugstore,
taking the opportunity he accumulates money from the store by selling water
that he claimed could cure the sick, and when he reached the desired amount he
left the store. After signing the store over to Holmes, Elizabeth was never
seen or heard of again.
after, Elizabeth’s husband dies and Holmes is offered to buy the drugstore,
taking the opportunity he accumulates money from the store by selling water
that he claimed could cure the sick, and when he reached the desired amount he
left the store. After signing the store over to Holmes, Elizabeth was never
seen or heard of again.
Murder Castle
Holmes
purchased the large lot across the street, and builds his three story, block
long hotel building which locals called “The Castle” and later “Murder House.”
Its given name however was “world’s Fair Hotel.”
purchased the large lot across the street, and builds his three story, block
long hotel building which locals called “The Castle” and later “Murder House.”
Its given name however was “world’s Fair Hotel.”
The
bottom floor was Holmes’ drugstore and various shops while the upper two floors
contained a labyrinth of rooms with doorways opening to brick walls, oddly
angled hallways, stairways leading to nowhere, doors that could only be opened
from the outside and much more. This part is very similar to the Winchester
Mansion that was built in 1884, but unlike Holmes, who built his to confuse his
victims, she built hers to confuse spirits.
bottom floor was Holmes’ drugstore and various shops while the upper two floors
contained a labyrinth of rooms with doorways opening to brick walls, oddly
angled hallways, stairways leading to nowhere, doors that could only be opened
from the outside and much more. This part is very similar to the Winchester
Mansion that was built in 1884, but unlike Holmes, who built his to confuse his
victims, she built hers to confuse spirits.
During
construction in 1893, Holmes constantly fired and hired different workers so no
one but he would know the grounds. While the hotel was being built Holmes met
and became good friends with Benjamin Pitezel, a carpenter with a criminal
past. Benjamin was easy to control, and quickly became Holmes little creature
who helped him with his crimes.
construction in 1893, Holmes constantly fired and hired different workers so no
one but he would know the grounds. While the hotel was being built Holmes met
and became good friends with Benjamin Pitezel, a carpenter with a criminal
past. Benjamin was easy to control, and quickly became Holmes little creature
who helped him with his crimes.
After
the hotel was built, Holmes selected mostly female victims from among his
employees, hotel guests, and even his mistresses, whom he would kill. There
victims would be put in soundproof bedrooms that filled with gas to asphyxiate
them, taken to “the secret hanging chamber,” where they were hanged, some were
locked in a huge soundproof bank vault
in his office where they were left to suffocate. There was also a secret room
that was completely sealed by bricks that could only be entered through a trap
door in the ceiling; he would lock his victims in this room for days to die of
hunger and thirst.
the hotel was built, Holmes selected mostly female victims from among his
employees, hotel guests, and even his mistresses, whom he would kill. There
victims would be put in soundproof bedrooms that filled with gas to asphyxiate
them, taken to “the secret hanging chamber,” where they were hanged, some were
locked in a huge soundproof bank vault
in his office where they were left to suffocate. There was also a secret room
that was completely sealed by bricks that could only be entered through a trap
door in the ceiling; he would lock his victims in this room for days to die of
hunger and thirst.
The
victims’ bodies were put in either a
secret chute or a dumbwaiter which all led to the basement where they were
either dissected, stripped of flesh, crafted into skeleton models and sold to
medical schools, or buried in lime pits, incinerated in one of two giant
furnaces, or thrown into a pit of corrosive acid. And due to his connections,
he was able to sell the skeletons and organs without a problem.
victims’ bodies were put in either a
secret chute or a dumbwaiter which all led to the basement where they were
either dissected, stripped of flesh, crafted into skeleton models and sold to
medical schools, or buried in lime pits, incinerated in one of two giant
furnaces, or thrown into a pit of corrosive acid. And due to his connections,
he was able to sell the skeletons and organs without a problem.
There
was no chance in escaping, not with the confusing halls and unique alarm system
that alerted Holmes whenever anyone was walking around the hotel’s upper
floors, that he invented himself.
was no chance in escaping, not with the confusing halls and unique alarm system
that alerted Holmes whenever anyone was walking around the hotel’s upper
floors, that he invented himself.
Victims:
Julia
Connor (Mistress)
Connor (Mistress)
Julia
was married to a man named Ned Conner, Ned and Julia moved into the hotel, so
that Ned could work at Holmes pharmacy jewelry counter. Julia and Holmes began
an affair, and it didn’t take long for Ned to find out about it. Ned quit his
job and moved away, leaving Julia and her daughter, Pearl, behind.
was married to a man named Ned Conner, Ned and Julia moved into the hotel, so
that Ned could work at Holmes pharmacy jewelry counter. Julia and Holmes began
an affair, and it didn’t take long for Ned to find out about it. Ned quit his
job and moved away, leaving Julia and her daughter, Pearl, behind.
In
1891, Julia announced to Holmes that she was pregnant with his child and she
demanded a marriage. He agreed to marry her on the behalf that she got an
abortion, and that he was the one to do it. She agreed and they planned it for
Christmas Eve. It was a crude abortion, killing Julia in the process.
Afterwards, he killed Julia’s daughter, Pearl, with chloroform.
1891, Julia announced to Holmes that she was pregnant with his child and she
demanded a marriage. He agreed to marry her on the behalf that she got an
abortion, and that he was the one to do it. She agreed and they planned it for
Christmas Eve. It was a crude abortion, killing Julia in the process.
Afterwards, he killed Julia’s daughter, Pearl, with chloroform.
After
Christmas, Holmes hired a man named Chappell, to articulate Julia’s skeleton.
To hide his person, Holmes addressed himself as “Henry Gordon.” To Chappell and for a few different occasions
he’d lead Chappell to one of the rooms on the second floor to show the bodies
that he wanted Chappell to work on. There were three bodies in total that
Holmes would ask Chappell to work on: Julia’s, a man’s, and a woman’s. But by
the time Chappell finished the third body, Holmes hadn’t paid up, thusly
Chappell refused to give Holmes the skeletons and later, after Holmes was
captured, he’d cooperated with police, giving them the skull of Julia for
examination. This room that the bodies were looked at would be called, “the
room of three corpses.”
Christmas, Holmes hired a man named Chappell, to articulate Julia’s skeleton.
To hide his person, Holmes addressed himself as “Henry Gordon.” To Chappell and for a few different occasions
he’d lead Chappell to one of the rooms on the second floor to show the bodies
that he wanted Chappell to work on. There were three bodies in total that
Holmes would ask Chappell to work on: Julia’s, a man’s, and a woman’s. But by
the time Chappell finished the third body, Holmes hadn’t paid up, thusly
Chappell refused to give Holmes the skeletons and later, after Holmes was
captured, he’d cooperated with police, giving them the skull of Julia for
examination. This room that the bodies were looked at would be called, “the
room of three corpses.”
Minne
and Annie Williams
and Annie Williams
While
on a business trip to Boston, Holmes met a railroad heiress named Minnie Williams,
again, addressing himself as “Henry Gordon.” They dated for a time before
beginning a relationship and even after, he left Boston to Chicago they kept in
touch.
on a business trip to Boston, Holmes met a railroad heiress named Minnie Williams,
again, addressing himself as “Henry Gordon.” They dated for a time before
beginning a relationship and even after, he left Boston to Chicago they kept in
touch.
In
Feb, 1893, Minnie moved to Chicago, and was offered a job by Holmes as a
stenographer. Holmes would later persuade Minnie to transfer the deed to her
property in Fort Worth, Texas, to a man named Alexander Bond (another alias of
Holmes). In April 1893, the deed transferred with Holmes serving as the notary,
he then signed it over to Pitezel, giving him the alias “Benton T. Lymon.”
Holmes then proposes to Minnie and offers her sister to come visit.
Feb, 1893, Minnie moved to Chicago, and was offered a job by Holmes as a
stenographer. Holmes would later persuade Minnie to transfer the deed to her
property in Fort Worth, Texas, to a man named Alexander Bond (another alias of
Holmes). In April 1893, the deed transferred with Holmes serving as the notary,
he then signed it over to Pitezel, giving him the alias “Benton T. Lymon.”
Holmes then proposes to Minnie and offers her sister to come visit.
Annie
Williams came to Chicago but never left. One day, Holmes asks Annie to go into
his office vault to get a file for him and while inside, Holmes closes the door
and locks it. He turns on the gas line to the vault, and kills her. About the
same time Minnie vanishes.
Williams came to Chicago but never left. One day, Holmes asks Annie to go into
his office vault to get a file for him and while inside, Holmes closes the door
and locks it. He turns on the gas line to the vault, and kills her. About the
same time Minnie vanishes.
After
the Hotel
the Hotel
Holmes
left his precious hotel when creditors started closing; forcing him to travel
throughout the United States and Canada.
left his precious hotel when creditors started closing; forcing him to travel
throughout the United States and Canada.
In
July 1894, Holmes was arrested and incarcerated for the first time on the
charge of selling mortgaged goods in St. Louis, Missouri. Before he was
promptly bailed out of jail, Holmes befriended a convicted train robber named
Marion Hedgepeth. Holmes promised Hedgepeth a $500 commission in exchange for
the name of a lawyer who could be trusted on taking a policy out on himself so
he could fake his death.
July 1894, Holmes was arrested and incarcerated for the first time on the
charge of selling mortgaged goods in St. Louis, Missouri. Before he was
promptly bailed out of jail, Holmes befriended a convicted train robber named
Marion Hedgepeth. Holmes promised Hedgepeth a $500 commission in exchange for
the name of a lawyer who could be trusted on taking a policy out on himself so
he could fake his death.
He
was directed to a St. Louis attorney named Jeptha Howe. Mr. Howe found Holmes’
scheme brilliant, but the insurance company became suspicious and refused to
pay. So instead he convinced his long time partner, Benjamin Pitezel to fake
his death. Dumbly, Pitezel agreed, on the thought that the $10,000, would be
split between his wife, Holmes and Mr. Howe. After coming up with a laboratory
explosion plan, Holmes instead, killed Pitezel by knocking him unconscious with
chloroform and setting him on fire. He collected the insurance payout and
manipulated Pitezel’s unsuspecting wife into allowing 3 of her 5 children to be
in his custody. Paranoid that the children would snitch.
was directed to a St. Louis attorney named Jeptha Howe. Mr. Howe found Holmes’
scheme brilliant, but the insurance company became suspicious and refused to
pay. So instead he convinced his long time partner, Benjamin Pitezel to fake
his death. Dumbly, Pitezel agreed, on the thought that the $10,000, would be
split between his wife, Holmes and Mr. Howe. After coming up with a laboratory
explosion plan, Holmes instead, killed Pitezel by knocking him unconscious with
chloroform and setting him on fire. He collected the insurance payout and
manipulated Pitezel’s unsuspecting wife into allowing 3 of her 5 children to be
in his custody. Paranoid that the children would snitch.
Holmes
and the three children, (2 girls and 1 boy) traveled up into Canada, all while
escorting Mrs. Pitezel in their direction and relaying her lies on that her
husband was hiding in London.
and the three children, (2 girls and 1 boy) traveled up into Canada, all while
escorting Mrs. Pitezel in their direction and relaying her lies on that her
husband was hiding in London.
While
staying at 16 st. Vincent Lane in Toronto, Holmes forced the two girls into a
large trunk, locked them inside and drilled a hole in the lid where he put one
end of the hose and asphyxiated them with a gas line. He buried their bodies in
the basement.
staying at 16 st. Vincent Lane in Toronto, Holmes forced the two girls into a
large trunk, locked them inside and drilled a hole in the lid where he put one
end of the hose and asphyxiated them with a gas line. He buried their bodies in
the basement.
Frank
Greyer, a Philadelphia detective tracked Holmes and found the decomposed bodies
of the girls. Greyer immediately noticed that one of the girls’ feet were
removed and learned that the girl had a club foot. Holmes removed it to prevent
a distinctive identification.
Greyer, a Philadelphia detective tracked Holmes and found the decomposed bodies
of the girls. Greyer immediately noticed that one of the girls’ feet were
removed and learned that the girl had a club foot. Holmes removed it to prevent
a distinctive identification.
The
son was suspected to have been killed with drugs, his body chopped up, and
burned. Only the boy’s teeth and bits of bone were discovered in an Indianapolis
home chimney.
son was suspected to have been killed with drugs, his body chopped up, and
burned. Only the boy’s teeth and bits of bone were discovered in an Indianapolis
home chimney.
Capture
On
November 17, 1894 Holmes was arrested in Boston after being tracked there from
Philadelphia by the Pinkertens. He was caught on an outstanding warrant for the
horse theft in Texas.
November 17, 1894 Holmes was arrested in Boston after being tracked there from
Philadelphia by the Pinkertens. He was caught on an outstanding warrant for the
horse theft in Texas.
While
in jail, the police began interviewing the castle’s employees; the first was
Pat Quinlan, the caretaker, informed them that he was never allowed to clean
the second floor. So, they began a thorough investigation over the course of a
month, where they uncovered torture chambers and secret passageways. Inside a
large stove on the third floor, they found a piece of a gold chain, women’s
hair, and a woman’s shoe. The gold chain was confirmed to be Minnie’s, by a
jewelry who sold it to her.
in jail, the police began interviewing the castle’s employees; the first was
Pat Quinlan, the caretaker, informed them that he was never allowed to clean
the second floor. So, they began a thorough investigation over the course of a
month, where they uncovered torture chambers and secret passageways. Inside a
large stove on the third floor, they found a piece of a gold chain, women’s
hair, and a woman’s shoe. The gold chain was confirmed to be Minnie’s, by a
jewelry who sold it to her.
Police
found several scratch marks and a mark of what appeared to be a woman’s shoe
inside Holmes office vault. In the basement they found a pile of human and
animal bones, a dissection table covered with dried blood, and a pile of bloody
woman’s clothes. In the lime pits they
found skeletal remains, however the lime had turned most of the remains into
dust, but they did identify two strands of hair, one brown and one fair, in the
two soft spots in the hard clay. They matched Minnie and Annie Williams hair
colors. They looked inside the acid pit and found several bones at the bottom.
found several scratch marks and a mark of what appeared to be a woman’s shoe
inside Holmes office vault. In the basement they found a pile of human and
animal bones, a dissection table covered with dried blood, and a pile of bloody
woman’s clothes. In the lime pits they
found skeletal remains, however the lime had turned most of the remains into
dust, but they did identify two strands of hair, one brown and one fair, in the
two soft spots in the hard clay. They matched Minnie and Annie Williams hair
colors. They looked inside the acid pit and found several bones at the bottom.
In
one part of the basement, investigators unearthed bones belonging to a child
estimated to be 6 – 8 years old. They also found a dress that they suspected to
belong to Julia Connor. They confirmed it with Ned Connor, her former husband.
one part of the basement, investigators unearthed bones belonging to a child
estimated to be 6 – 8 years old. They also found a dress that they suspected to
belong to Julia Connor. They confirmed it with Ned Connor, her former husband.
Later,
3 firemen explored a nearby tunnel that led from the basement to the street. A
plumber in the tunnel, who was inspecting, lit a match for illumination,
unwillingly causing an explosion powerful enough to shake the whole building,
several men were injured.
3 firemen explored a nearby tunnel that led from the basement to the street. A
plumber in the tunnel, who was inspecting, lit a match for illumination,
unwillingly causing an explosion powerful enough to shake the whole building,
several men were injured.
Trial
and Execution:
and Execution:
Only
nine murders could be confirmed, although the bodies in the basement were so
badly dismembered and decomposed that it was difficult to tell how many bodies
there actually were. The number of his victims has been estimated between 20 to
100 and even as high as 200 based on missing persons’ reports of the time as
well as testimony of Holmes’ neighbors. Many people came to see the World’s
Fair and stayed at the World’s Fair Hotel, but never returned home. Holmes’
personally confessed to 27 murders, and right before being hanged, claimed he
had only murdered 2. His victims were mostly woman (primarily blonde) but men
and children were also killed.
nine murders could be confirmed, although the bodies in the basement were so
badly dismembered and decomposed that it was difficult to tell how many bodies
there actually were. The number of his victims has been estimated between 20 to
100 and even as high as 200 based on missing persons’ reports of the time as
well as testimony of Holmes’ neighbors. Many people came to see the World’s
Fair and stayed at the World’s Fair Hotel, but never returned home. Holmes’
personally confessed to 27 murders, and right before being hanged, claimed he
had only murdered 2. His victims were mostly woman (primarily blonde) but men
and children were also killed.
In
October 1895, Holmes was put on trial for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel and
was found guilty and sentenced to death. Following his conviction, Holmes
confessed to 30 murders in Chicago, Indianapolis and Toronto (though some he
confssed to killing, were still alive,) and six attempted murders. Due to the
largeness of a case, Hearst Newspaper paid Holmes $7,500 (worth $216,000 today)
for the exchange of his confession. He gave many contradictory accounts of his
life, from claiming innocence and later that he was possessed by Satan.
October 1895, Holmes was put on trial for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel and
was found guilty and sentenced to death. Following his conviction, Holmes
confessed to 30 murders in Chicago, Indianapolis and Toronto (though some he
confssed to killing, were still alive,) and six attempted murders. Due to the
largeness of a case, Hearst Newspaper paid Holmes $7,500 (worth $216,000 today)
for the exchange of his confession. He gave many contradictory accounts of his
life, from claiming innocence and later that he was possessed by Satan.
May
7, 1896, Holmes was hanged at Moyamensing Prison; known as the Philadelphia
County Prison, for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel. Despite the coming
execution, he showed little to no fear and even asked for his coffin to be
contained in cement and buried 10 feet, so grave robbers would never steal his
body and use it for dissection.
7, 1896, Holmes was hanged at Moyamensing Prison; known as the Philadelphia
County Prison, for the murder of Benjamin Pitezel. Despite the coming
execution, he showed little to no fear and even asked for his coffin to be
contained in cement and buried 10 feet, so grave robbers would never steal his
body and use it for dissection.
Holmes
neck did not snap, instead he strangled to death slowly for 15 minutes and
being pronounced dead at 20.
neck did not snap, instead he strangled to death slowly for 15 minutes and
being pronounced dead at 20.
He
was not done
was not done
Even
after his hanging it seems he still could give the touch of death to those who
knew or met him.
after his hanging it seems he still could give the touch of death to those who
knew or met him.
-
On New Year’s Eve, 1909,
Hedgepeth; the criminal Holmes met in jail that suggested the lawyer, had been
pardoned after giving information to the police about Holmes, was shot and
killed by police officer Edward Jaburek during a holdup at a Chicago saloon.
On New Year’s Eve, 1909,
Hedgepeth; the criminal Holmes met in jail that suggested the lawyer, had been
pardoned after giving information to the police about Holmes, was shot and
killed by police officer Edward Jaburek during a holdup at a Chicago saloon.
-
Quinlan, former caretaker of the
Murder Castle, committed suicide by taking strychnine, his body was found in
his bedroom with a note that read, “I couldn’t Sleep.” Quinlan’s surviving
relatives claimed that he had been “haunted,” for several months and was
suffering from hallucinations.
Quinlan, former caretaker of the
Murder Castle, committed suicide by taking strychnine, his body was found in
his bedroom with a note that read, “I couldn’t Sleep.” Quinlan’s surviving
relatives claimed that he had been “haunted,” for several months and was
suffering from hallucinations.
-
Dr. William Matten, a witness
against Holmes, died of blood poisoning.
Dr. William Matten, a witness
against Holmes, died of blood poisoning.
-
Dr. Ashbrodge, the head coroner,
died of a deadly illness.
Dr. Ashbrodge, the head coroner,
died of a deadly illness.
-
The judge, who sentenced Holmes to
death, also died of an illness.
The judge, who sentenced Holmes to
death, also died of an illness.
-
The prison superintendent,
committed suicide.
The prison superintendent,
committed suicide.
-
The priest who gave Holmes his
last rights, died mysteriously.
The priest who gave Holmes his
last rights, died mysteriously.
-
The jury foreman was electrocuted
accidentally.
The jury foreman was electrocuted
accidentally.
In
August 1895, a fire that started mysteriously gutted out the murder castle.
According to a New York Times clip, two men were seen entering the back of the
Castle between 8 and 9 P.M. About a half an hour later, they were seen exiting
the building.
August 1895, a fire that started mysteriously gutted out the murder castle.
According to a New York Times clip, two men were seen entering the back of the
Castle between 8 and 9 P.M. About a half an hour later, they were seen exiting
the building.
Afterwards, investigators found half-empty gas can
underneath the back steps of the building. The building survived the fire and
remained in use until it was torn down in 1938. The site is currently occupied
by the Englewood branch of the United States post office.
underneath the back steps of the building. The building survived the fire and
remained in use until it was torn down in 1938. The site is currently occupied
by the Englewood branch of the United States post office.
After
Holmes hotel was destroyed leaving
behind only his history and his famous quote, “I was born with the devil in me.
I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help
the inspiration to sing – I was born with the ‘Evil One’ Standing as my sponsor beside the bed where I
was ushered into the world, and he has been with me since.”
behind only his history and his famous quote, “I was born with the devil in me.
I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help
the inspiration to sing – I was born with the ‘Evil One’ Standing as my sponsor beside the bed where I
was ushered into the world, and he has been with me since.”
So what made this brilliant man so evil and corrupted
for money and death? Was it daddy issues? Was he born that way? Only he truly
knows – or a psychologist.
for money and death? Was it daddy issues? Was he born that way? Only he truly
knows – or a psychologist.
One can say he was a
psychopath with an addiction to the game of con artistry or could even have
been a compulsive liar. What we do know is that he was the best known killer of
his time, and from our standing point of what we know – he has killed the most
people out of all the serial killers in North America.
psychopath with an addiction to the game of con artistry or could even have
been a compulsive liar. What we do know is that he was the best known killer of
his time, and from our standing point of what we know – he has killed the most
people out of all the serial killers in North America.
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