Forrest E. Mars: The Candy Man

For this special episode Tracy Marak, member of the Belle Toffee family, is my guest. She shares the Belle Toffee story and tries her best to distinguish fact or fiction as I tell a mostly-true story about another candy maker, Forrest E. Mars.

Although this story doesn’t fit neatly into the true crime category, Forrest Mars’ road to ownership of Mars, Inc. wasn’t a smooth one and it certainly wasn’t sweet. Today, the Mars, Inc. is one of the largest privately held companies in the world, and Forrest’s descendent are among the world’s richest citizens.

Listen to learn how Forrest Mars achieved his success, but remember that one fiction has been inserted into the story. Will Tracy guess the fiction? Will you? It’s tricky to know if something is Fact or Fiction? Ready to play?

Image of Forrest Mars, Sr.
Forrest E. Mars was the businessman behind the success of Mars, Inc. Wikimedia Commons
MRE military food kit including M&M's
In WWII, M&M’s were included in US soldiers’s mealkits. this image from 2007 shows some MREs still include them. Wikimedia Commons
Image of Frank Mars
Frank Mars was the father of Forrest Mars, and the original owner of Mars, Inc. in the US. Newspapers.com
Image of Ethel Mars, Frank's second wife
Ethel Mars was the second wife of Frank Mars and the stepmother of Forrest Mars. Newspapers.com
Image of European Smarties chocolate candy-coated discs.
Forrest Mars encountered Smarties when he was in Europe in the late 1930s. These chocolate disks encased in a hard-candy shell inspired him to create M&M’s. Wikimedia Commons
Halloween Ad for Mars, Inc. candies
In 1962, the Bridgeport Telegram ran this Halloween ad for Mars, Inc. candies.
Image of Uncle Ben's rice ad from 1951
This 1951 advertisement is for converted rice, a product sold by Food Products Manufacturing, another business owned by Forrest Mars.
Image of a candy bar
The Mars bar was the flagship candy for Frank’s Mars, Inc. Forrest sold the same bar in Europe under the name Milky Way. Wikimedia Commons
Order Belle Toffee from their website and have it delivered to your home!
Image of Belle Toffee

References

Cadbury, Deborah. (2010) Chocolate Wars: The 150-Year Rivalry Between the World’s Greatest Chocolate Makers. Public Affairs.

Clayman, Andrew. (n. d.) Mars Inc., est. 1911. Made in Chicago Museum. Retrieved from https://www.madeinchicagomuseum.com/single-post/mars-inc/

Kaplan, D & Adamo, M. (2013, February 4). Inside Mars. Fortune. Retrieved from https://awa.auckland.ac.nz/index.php?p=management-international-business&textid=1145

Fortune Editors (2013, March 31). The Sweet, Secret World of Forrest Mars (Fortune, 1967). Retrieved from https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:wxUV82dXMkMJ:https://fortune.com/2013/03/31/the-sweet-secret-world-of-forrest-mars-fortune-1967/+&cd=16&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=safari

Mars Overview. (n. d.) FirstHand.co. Retrieved April 10 from https://firsthand.co/company-profiles/food-beverage/mars#:~:text=About%20Mars%2C%20Incorporated,largest%20chewing%20gum%20maker%20Wm

McKnight, Marshall. (2002, September 30). A Clandestine Company Creeps Out of its Shell. NJBiz, pp. 10 – 11.

Serena, Katie. (2020, March 17). The History of M&M’s Isn’t As Sweet As You Think It Is. Retreived from https://allthatsinteresting.com/mms-history

 

H. H. Holmes: A Fact or Fiction Nightmare!

H. H. Holmes is one of the most infamous killers in the history of Chicago and the United States.  In late 1894, when authorities arrested Holmes on a warrant for horse theft in Texas, they learned Holmes, the architect and former owner of the “murder castle” in Chicago, not only looked like the villain from a melodrama but acted the part, too.  Although he confessed to killing 27 people in April 1896, historians still find it nearly impossible to distinguish between fact and fiction.

Join me and my guest Nancy as we discuss the facts and fictions about Holmes.  Listen carefully because this is most definitely a case where it’s tough to know if something is fact or fiction.  You be the judge!

 

 

 

 

References

Bones of the Slain. (1895, July 28). The Chicago Chronicle, 1 – 3.

Castle is a Tomb. (1895, July 28). Chicago Tribune, 1 – 2.

Early Life.  (n. d.) America’s First Serial Killer: The Devious Deeds of H. H. Holmes. Retrieved from https://hhholmesmurderer.weebly.com/early-life.html

Eric. (2020, October 6). Excavating the Former Site of H. H. Holmes late 19th Century “Glass Bending Factory” Revisited. Urban Remains. Retrieved from https://www.urbanremainschicago.com/news-and-events/2020/10/06/excavating-the-former-site-of-h-h-holmes-glass-bending-factory/

Full Confessions of H. H. Holmes. (1896, April 12) The Journal. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/sn84031792/1896-04-12/ed-1/.

  1. H. Holmes. (n. d.) Alcatraz East Crime Museum. Retrieved from https://www.alcatrazeast.com/crime-library/serial-killers/hh-holmes/
  2. H. Holmes//Replay. (2021, July). The Generation Why Podcast. Retreived from https://open.spotify.com/episode/5AJWR7acjTrIyo4U1vG9et

Holmes Confesses 27 Murders. (1896, April 12). Philadelphia Inquirer.

Holmes Murder Castle Razed for Post Office (1938, May 15). Chicago Tribune, 7.

Holzwarth, Larry. (2018, October 19). 18 Facts Most People Didn’t Know about H. H. Holmes. History Collection. Retrieved from https://historycollection.com/18-facts-most-people-didnt-know-about-h-h-holmes/14/

House of Horrors. (1996, May 6). Herald and Review, 11.

Kreps, Daniel. “H.H. Holmes: Tests Confirm Serial Killer’s Body in Grave,” RollingStone.com, 2 September 2017

Light on a Suspect’s Life. (1895, July 24). San Francisco Chronicle, 2.

Links in the Chain. (1895, July 27). The Chicago Chronicle, 1 – 3.

Miller, Cassie. (2019, October 31). Scary, But True: Serial Killer H.H. Holmes Foiled By Insurer. Insurance Newsnet. Retrieved from https://insurancenewsnet.com/innarticle/scary-but-true-serial-killer-h-h-holmes-foiled-by-insurer

Murder Castle! (1937, March 21). Chicago Tribune, 77 – 78.

Selzer, Adam. (2017). H. H. Holmes: The True History of the White City Devil. Skyhorse. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1510713433/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=chicagunbeli-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1510713433&linkId=d0177ca2f16639140c7e889a730c0dc3

Selzer, Adam. The Three Confessions of HH Holmes. Kindle Edition

Vasudevan, Varsha. (2020, January 28). New Documenatry Claims that Meghan Markle is Related to Prime Jack the Ripper Suspect, H. H. Holmes. Retrieved from https://meaww.com/channel-4-documentary-claims-that-meghan-markle-is-related-to-americas-first-serial-killer-h-h-holmes

Ward, Alvin. (2018, May 18). Meghan Markle is Related to H. H. Holmes, America’s First Serial Killer, According to New Documentary. Mental Floss.  Retrieved from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/545142/meghan-markle-related-hh-holmes-serial-killer-jack-the-ripper

Whalen, Lauren. (2015, November 2). A History of Chicago’s Murder Castle. Chicagoist. Retrieved from https://chicagoist.com/2015/11/02/i_was_born_with_the_devil_in_me_a_h.php

H.H.Holmes Movie

How Fingerprints Convicted Thomas Jennings

This episode focuses on the tragic murder of railroad clerk Clarence D. Hiller; the man accused of committing the crime, Thomas Jennings; and the advanced forensic technique of fingerprint identification used successfully for the first time in a murder trial in the United States.

https://chicagology.com/chicagopolice/firstfingerprinttrial/
https://chicagology.com/chicagopolice/firstfingerprinttrial/
Hansen, John Mark. “How Fingerprinting Made Chicago Famous.” Chicago Tribune, 5 April, 2020. P. 15.
“First American Conviction on Fingerprints.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 18 February 1912, p. 54
“First American Conviction on Fingerprints.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 18 February 1912, p. 54
https://www.chicagonow.com/the-ragged-stranger/2018/05/monsieur-bertillon-captain-evans-how-to-id-a-body-in-the-early-1900s/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/first-case-where-fingerprints-were-used-evidence-180970883/

Works Cited

https://historydaily.org/convicted-by-fingerprint-a-1910-murder-trial-makes-history

https://chicagology.com/chicagopolice/firstfingerprinttrial/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/first-case-where-fingerprints-were-used-evidence-180970883/

https://erenow.net/common/the-crimes-of-paris/6.php

 

“Convicted by His Finger Prints.” Norwich Bulletin, 11 November 1910, p. 1.

“Dance to Save a Life.” Palestine Daily Herald, 21 December 1910, p. 3.

“Death Sentence on Finger Prints.” The Daily Free Press, 11 November 1910, p. 1.

“Finger Impressions May Convict…” The Los Angeles Times, 21 September 1910, p. 1.

“Fingerprints Only Clue.” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 21 September 1910, p. 1.

“Fingerprints Save Man from Prison.” The Lansing News, 29 April 1910, p. 1.

“First American Conviction on Fingerprints.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 18 February 1912, p. 54.

“First Fingerprint Conviction in American Courts.” The Fresno Morning Republican, 11 November 1910, p. 1.

Hansen, John Mark.  “How Fingerprinting Made Chicago Famous.” Chicago Tribune, 5 April, 2020. P. 15.

Kennedy, Robert J. “Fingerprinting by Wholesale.” The Tampa Tribune, 15 May 1915, p. 16.

“Match Hands to Hang a Man.” Chicago Tribune, 6 November 1910, p. 7.

“Prints of Fingers Dooms Murderer.” Chicago Tribune, 11 November 1910, p. 1.

“Thomas Jennings is Given Extreme Penalty by Jury.” Springfield Leader and Press, 8 Jun 1929, p. 2.

Wilcox, Uthai Vincent. “Has World’s Largest Fingerprint Collection.” The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 6 May 1928, p. 92.

 

Eddie Foy and the Iroquois Theater Fire of 1903

In late December of 1903, the beautiful new Iroquois Theater in Chicago performed a matinee of the family-friendly musical Mr. Bluebeard to a sold-out audience.  Midway through the performance, an overloaded stage light caughtfire, and what happened is stranger than fiction.  Listen carefully because it’s tricky to know what’s Fact or Fiction!

 

Today’s guest is Suzie Cue!  Suzie Cue is a singer, multi-instrumentalist, and songwriter from south St. Louis, MO. Folk, indie, blues, country…but more vulgar. Not a family band.  You can listen to her music here and follow her on Facebook here.

https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/varstg:@field(NUMBER(0480))

https://www.city-journal.org/html/vaudeville%E2%80%99s-brief-shining-moment-12869.html

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/how-theater-blaze-killed-hundreds-forever-changed-way-we-approach-fire-safety-180969315/

https://chicagology.com/notorious-chicago/iroquoistheatre/eddiefoy/

http://www.iroquoistheater.com/page-11-thirty-stories-about-iroquois-theater-victims.php

https://www.lib.niu.edu/2004/ih031004.html

 

“Chicago’s New Playhouse.” Pittsburgh Daily Post, 23 November 1903, p. 16.

“Eddie Foy as ‘The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe’ in ‘Mr. Bluebeard.’” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 3 November 1903, p. 7.

“Eddie Foy at Hyde and  Behman’s.” The Brooklyn Citizen, 1 March 1904, p. 7.

“Eddie Foy’s ‘Kidderinos,’” The Kansas City Star, 23 December 1905, p. 5.

“Foy Wisdom.” The Inter Ocean, 20 December 1903, p. 42.

Hamill, Sean D. “’Tinder Box’ author notes tragic parallels to club deaths.”  Chicago Tribune, 4 March 2003, p. 2-1.

“Many Chicago Theaters Liable to be Rebuilt.” Star Tribune, 6 January 1904, p. 3.

“’Mr. Bluebeard’ the Metropolitan Sensation of the Week.” Detroit Free Press, 3 January 1903, p. 4.

“Pity for the Dead; Aid for the Living.” The Inter Ocean, 1 January 1904, p. 3.

“Review of ‘Mr. Bluebeard’ in St. Louis.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2 November 1903, p. 6.

“Show in Iroquois Theater.”  The Saint Paul Globe, 12 July 1903, p. 20.

“The Iroquois Theater Fire.” Democrat and Chronicle, 31 December 1903, p. 6.

 

The Real Roxie Hart

In April of 1924, Beulah Annan shot her lover in the bedroom she shared with her husband Al.  She rested next to the dead man and played one song over and over on her phonograph until Al arrived home.  What followed is such a sensational story, that reporter Maureen Watkins used it as the basis for her successful play, Chicago.  That play was the basis for the hit musical and later Oscar-winning movie of the same name.  Listen carefully because not everything you hear is true, and it’s not easy to decide if it’s Fact or Fiction!

This is the only picture I could find of Harry Kolstadt, the victim.

  

All of shots above are pictures of Beulah I found in contemporary articles.

 

 

After the trail, Beulah profusely thanked the “beauty-proof” jury members.

Beulah with her lawyers.

Beulah and husband, Al Annan [left]; Buelah with speech bubble [right]

This calendar plate advertising Tenant Laundry, the place where Beulah met her lover, was for sale on Ebay.

Reporter and playwright, Maureen Watkins.

Picture of Buelah Annan’s Mother Embracing Her After Trial to prove that my fiction was truly a fiction.  LOL!

Johann Hoch: America’s Bluebeard

Bluebeard is a French folk-tale about a villainous man who married and then killed multiple wives.  The American version of this story isn’t a folk tale–it’s real.  Today’s episode of Fact or Fiction examines the story of Johann Hoch, a man accused of marrying scores of women, absconding with their fortunes, and even murdering a few.  Listen carefully because it’s never easy to tell which parts of the story are Fact or Fiction.  Ready to play?

 

 

Citations

“Bluebeard Hoch Again Gets Another Chance.”  Quad-City Times. 24 August 1905, p. 1.

“Bluebeard Is Hanged.” The Marion Star, 23 February 1906, p. 1.

https://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-history-cop/2016/02/johann-hoch-hung-110-years-ago-today-his-last-moments-on-earth/

“Claims Only Married Twice.” The Atchison Daily Globe, 1 February 1905, p. 2.

https://explore.chicagocollections.org/image/chicagohistory/71/sq8qq6k/

“His Last Hope Gone.” Leader-Telegram, 22 February 1906, p. 1.

Hoch, Johann. “How I Married 50 Wives and What Became of Them.” The San Francisco Examiner, 30 July 1905, p. 46 – 47.

“Hoch and His Rivals.” The Wichita Daily Eagle, 24 February 1905, p. 9.

“Hoch and His Wives.” Messenger-Inquirer, 7 March 1905, p. 6.

“Hoch Gets a Reprieve.” The Topeka Daily Herald, 28 July 1905, p. 1.

“Hoch Is a Prisoner.” The Washington Post, 31 January 1905, p. 1.

“Hoch Is Guilty of Wife Murder.” The Allen County Republican-Gazette, 19 May 1905, p. 2.

“Johann Hoch Must Die.” The Windsor Star, 20 May 1905, p. 1.

“More Wives for Hoch.”  The Atchison Daily Globe, 1 February 1905, p. 1.

Johnson, Ray. “Johann Hoch hung 110 years ago today- His last moments on Earth.” Chicago Now, 23 February 2016.

Morrow, Jason Lucky. “Johann Hoch: The Lady Killer, 50 Possible Victims, 1890 – 1905.” Historical Crime Detective, 30 April 2014, https://www.historicalcrimedetective.com/johann-hoch-the-lady-killer/. Accessed 30 January 2021.

“Number of Wives Placed at Twenty.” The Des Moines Register, 29 January 1905, p. 1

Remarkable Career of Bluebeard Hoch.” The Star Ledger, 10 March 1905, p. 7.

Schutzer, A. I. “The Lady-killer.” American Heritage, vol. 15, issue 6, October 1964, https://www.americanheritage.com/lady-killer#1. Accessed 6 April 2021.

 

The Case of the Ragged Stranger

In the early 1920’s, Chicago reporters Charles MacArthur and Ben Hecht encountered and sensationalized the highly unusual murder of a young mother-to-be, Ruth Wanderer.  These two reporters, who  went on to become decorated Hollywood screenwriters, called Ruth Wanderer’s tragic story, The Case of the Ragged Stranger!  Listen carefully because it’s tricky to know which parts of the story are Fact or Fiction.  Ready to play?

Carl and Ruth Wanderer. Shinnick, William. “Wanderer Mystery.” Chicago Tribune, 6 October 1935, p. 85. [left] Carl Wanderer with young Julia Schmidt. “When Justice Triumphed.” The Daily News, 18 May 1924, p. 8-9. [right]

 

The home where Ruth Wanderer and “The Ragged Stranger” were shot. [left] Carl Wanderer’s place of employment, his father’s butcher shop. [right] “When Justice Triumphed.” The Daily News, 18 May 1924, p. 8-9.

Citations

“Action Express.” Chicago Tribune, 26 May 1970, p. 17.

“Attorney to Ask for New Trial Today.” The Des Moines Register, 4 April 1921, p. 1.

“Charles MacArthur of the 149th Shoots Down Plane.” Chicago Tribune, 3 August 1918, p. 3.

Collins, Charles. “Mystery of the Ragged Stranger!” Chicago Tribune, 11 May 1952, p. 93.

“Diamond Shooting Very Similar to Wanderer’s Case.” The Courier, 16 February 1923, p.1.

“Duel in Dark.” Chicago Tribune, 22 June 1920, p. 1.

“Husband Ins Slain Woman Being Held.” The Pantagraph, 8 July 1920, p. 1.

“Kill Bride at Her Door.” The Daily Chronicle, 22 June 1920, p. 1.

“Man Who Solved ‘Ragged Stranger’ Murder Case Dies.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 29 January 1950, p. 32.

Marriage Announcement “Ruth Johnson to Sergt. Carl O. Wanderer.” Chicago Tribune, 24 March 1918, p. 37.

“Motive Still Puzzles Police in Bride Murder.” Chicago Tribune, 23 June 1920, p. 16.

Shinnick, William. “Wanderer Mystery.” Chicago Tribune, 6 October 1935, p. 85.

“Slayer Again Faces Noose.” The Menash Record, 10 January 1921, p. 1.

“When Justice Triumphed.” The Daily News, 18 May 1924, p. 8-9.

“Wife’s Kin Aid Man Police Hold For Her Death.” Chicago Tribune, 8 July 1920, p. 9.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hechthttps://thescreamonline.com/ben-hecht/https://www.nytimes.com/1964/04/22/archives/ben-hecht-is-buried-in-nyack-near-charles-macarthur-grave.htmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Wandererhttp://www.crimemagazine.com/carl-wanderer-and-%E2%80%9Ccase-ragged-stranger%E2%80%9Dhttps://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/jun/26/mrs-parker-and-the-vicious-circle-dorothy-parker-reel-historyhttps://scotchwhisky.com/magazine/famous-whisky-drinkers/18453/dorothy-parker/https://www.independent.ie/incoming/incoming_dailyfeed/lost-dorothy-parker-poem-reveals-pain-of-rejection-26574523.htmlhttps://www.chicagonow.com/the-ragged-stranger/2018/09/carl-wanderers-lover-julia-or-james/https://spartacus-educational.com/Acharles_Macarthur.htmhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_MacArthurhttps://newyorkerstateofmind.com/tag/charles-macarthur/

The Murder of Amos J. Snell

Amos J. Snell, a wealthy real estate owner in Chicago, was murdered in his home in 1888.  The identity of the murderer remains unknown to this day.  Listen to learn what we do know about Amos J. Snell, his murder, and the aftershocks of his death that affected his family for generations.  Is it Fact or Fiction?  You be the judge!

 

 

 

This is a picture of a Chicago area plank road. https://drloihjournal.blogspot.com/2019/11/plank-road-history-in-the-chicago-area.html

http://www.murderbygaslight.com/2019/04/the-snell-murder.html#more

Amos J. Snell

James Gillan, the man who confessed to being one of the robbers in the Snell mansion the day Amos Snell was murdered. “Confesses Snell Murder.” The Inter Ocean, 4 December, 1910, p. 29.

This is a drawing of Alfred Stone, Mary Snell’s husband. “Fine Lads to March.” The Inter Ocean, 27 August 1894, p. 7.

“Copy of the Reward.” The Daily American, 6 December 1888, p. 1.

“Mrs. Alice Snell M’Crea Green.”  Chicago Tribune, 12 November 1898, p. 8.

 

Delta Do Molle. “Is the Wages of Sin.” Fredericksburg News, 15 December 1898, p. 4.

Sources

  • “$550,000 Ruling Recalls Murder of 50 Years Ago.” Chicago Tribune, 12 March 1937, p. 13.
  • https://aadl.org/node/498103
  • “A New Theatrial Star.” Chicago Tribune, 3 August 1889, p. 2.
  • “Coffin Snell Wedding.” The Inter Ocean, 11 June 1881, p. 9.
  • “Confesses Snell Murder.” The Inter Ocean, 4 December, 1910, p. 29.
  • “Copy of the Reward.” The Daily American, 6 December 1888, p. 1.
  • Delta Do Molle. “Is the Wages of Sin.” Fredericksburg News, 15 December 1898, p. 4.
  • “Did He See Tascott?” The Saint Paul Globe, 23 February 1888, p. 2.
  • “Fine Lads to March.” The Inter Ocean, 27 August 1894, p. 7.
  • “Five Divorce Suits Filed.” Los Angeles Herald, 10 June 1908, p. 6.
  • “Forced to the Wall.” The Inter Ocean, 5 February 1894, p. 5.
  • “Gets New Hold on Her Old Name.” The Spokesman-Review, 3 September 1909, p. 10.
  • “Greenberg Yields to E. E. Stone and a Rifle.” The Inter Ocean, 21 October, 1903, p. 3.
  • “Hard at Work.” The Inter Ocean, 22 February 1888, p. 6.
  • “Heiress at 71 Victor in Snell Estate Battle.” Chicago Tribune, 12 June 1937, p. 22.
  • https://drloihjournal.blogspot.com/2019/11/plank-road-history-in-the-chicago-area.html
  • http://mysteriouschicago.com/the-murder-of-amos-j-snell-part-3-the-aftermath/
  • http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Media/eNews/2018/052518_toll_roads.asp
  • http://www.murderbygaslight.com/2019/04/the-snell-murder.html#more
  • https://straw.ws/jao/pub/jao/2/37936.htm
  • https://www.straw.ws/jao/pub/jao/2/37931.htm
  • “Hunted down at Last,” Chicago Herald, August 21, 1891.
  • “Los Angeles Woman Files Her Seventh Divorce Case.” Los Angeles Herald, 10 June 1908, p. 1.
  • “May Get Fortune.” Kenosha Evening News, 31 July 1906, p. 1.
  • “Mrs. Alice Snell M’Crea Green.”  Chicago Tribune, 12 November 1898, p. 8.
  • “Mrs. Grace Snell Love Re-Files Divorce Suit.” Los Angeles Express. 9 June 1908, p. 4.
  • “Mrs. Snell M’Crea.” Minneapolis Commercial, 26 March 1890, p. 6.
  • “Much Married Mrs. Love Loses Estate Fight.” Chicago Tribune, 18 Feburary 1938, p. 3.
  • “New Woe.” The Courier-Journal,14 August 1901, p. 3.
  • “Not Snell’s Child.” The Inter Ocean, 12 January 1910, p. 3.
  • “Recalls Loves of Gay ‘90s in Estate Battle.” Chicago Tribune. 29 May 1937, p. 1.
  • “Benjamin Sabine, Jeremiah and John Gordon, Dennis Smith and George Davis.” Chicago Tribune, 28 March 1867, p. 3.
  • “Samuel J. Bruesh Filed a Bill.” Chicago Tribune, 18 November 1886, p. 9.
  • “Says Mrs. Snell Was Threatened.” Chicago Tribune, 11 January 1901, p. 5.
  • “Six Husbands, Five Divorces, Is Her Record.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 28 May 1906, p.3.
  • “Snell’s Murderer.” The Evening World, 18 February 1888, p. 1.
  • “Snell’s Murderer Writes a Letter.” Horton Daily Headlight. 28 May 1888, p. 1.
  • “Stone-Snell.  The Chicago Tribune, 18 November 1875, p. 8.
  • “Suspected Stone of Snell Murder.” The Inter Ocean, 26 January 1901, p. 1.
  • “The Jefferson Robbery.”  Chicago Evening Post, 20 March 1867, p. 4.
  • “Tascott Is Alive.” The Grand Island Daily Independent, 22 September 1891, p. 1.
  • “Tascott Not a Murderer.” Blair Courier, 7 January 1893, p. 3.
  • “W. B. Tascott Is the Man.” Chicago Tribune, 18 February 1888, p. 1.
  • “Would Stand Trial.” The Wilkes-Barre Record, 22 September 1891, p. 2.

Dr. Alice Lois Lindsay Wynekoop: Physician, Social Reformer, Mother, Cold-Blooded Killer?

Pictured above from left to right: Dr. Alice Wynekoop (the accused), Earle Wynekoop (the husband), Rheta Wynekoop (the victim)

Grant, Bruce. “Alienists Consider Mother Love in Seeking ‘Motive’ Behind Tragic Wynekoop Slaying.” The Daily Republican, 29 November 1933, p. 6.

Grant, Bruce. “Dr. Wynekoop Depicted as Ideal Mother-in-Law Toward Slain Girl.” The Daily Republican, 2 December 1933, p. 6.

Grant, Bruce. “Woman Doctor in Chicago Murder Mystery Shown as Both Stern Matriarch and Doting Mother.” The Daily Republican, 27 November 1933, p. 6.

The photo of Rheta Wynekoop run in many papers after her brutal murder.

Mrs. Rheta Gardner Wynekoop. “Mother-in-Law’s Discovery Reveals Murder Mystery.” The Indianapolis Star, 23 November 1933, p. 3.

Dr. Wynekoop through the ages. Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: Daughter Tells of Accused Woman’s Struggles to Become Doctor,” The Pittsburgh Press, 11 December, 1933, p. 7.

The Wynekoop Children when young (upper left), Mary Louise and Dr. Catherine Wynekoop at the beach (lower left), and Dr. Alice with Catherine and Mrs. Frank Lindsay (Dr. Alice’s mother) (right)

Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: Happy  Days in Mansion, With Never a Hint of Tragedy to Come.” The Pittsburgh Press, 13 December 1933, p. 23.

Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: Mother’s Guiding Influence Shown in Children’s School Days.” The Pittsburgh Press, 14 December 1933, p. 23

These bathing beauties are Dr. Catherine Wynekoop, Mary Louise Wynekoop, and Rheta Wynekoop.

Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: Daughter Says Mother Crucified on Altar of Police Stupidity.” The Pittsburgh Press, 13 December 1933, p. 23.

“Girl’s Death Caused by Gunshot Wound, Medical Experts Say.” The Decator Daily Review, 25 November 1933, p. 1.

Grant, Bruce. “Chicago Police Peer Into Subconscious in Attempt to Solve Wynekoop Mystery.” The Daily Republican, 6 December 1933, p. 6.

The floorplan of Dr. Alice Wynekoop’s basement medical offices.

“Jurors Ready to Hear Evidence in Wynekoop Trial Today.” Decator Herald, 15 January 1934, p. 8.

This is a picture of Dr. Catherine Wynekoop Dobson, age 91.
https://magazine.uchicago.edu/9912/features/9912_age-dobson.html

This is a picture of a young Dr. Alice Lois Lindsay Wynekoop.  https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53755164/alice-lois-wynekoop#view-photo=29661776

 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1995-02-15-9502150340-story.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Wynekoop
https://ia801305.us.archive.org/25/items/AMERICANEUGENICSSOCIETYMEMBERS/AMERICAN%20EUGENICS%20SOCIETY%20MEMBERS.pdf
https://lindsaygenealogy.tripod.com/74.htm
https://lindsaygenealogy.tripod.com/943.htm
https://lindsaygenealogy.tripod.com/95.htm
http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~wynkoop/genealogy/webdocs/murder.htm
https://magazine.uchicago.edu/9912/features/9912_age-dobson.html
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53755164/alice-lois-wynekoop#view-photo=29661776

“Arrest of Husband Ordered by Police.” The Times, 23 November 1933, p. 1, 12.
“Babies for Bachelors.” The Champaign Daily Gazette, 26 March 1912, p. 1.
“Bachelors Begin the Adoption of Children and Find Work an Unexcelled Pastime and Benefit.” The Miami News, 24 May 1912, p. 9.
“Boys for Bachelors.” The Bangor Daily News, 27 May 1912, p. 4.
Brush, Mary Isabel, “Prominent Woman’s Suffrage Workers Have Big Families; Duty of Motherhood Argument for Granting of the Ballot.” Chicago Tribune, 3 March 1912, p. 75.
“Chicago Doctor on Trial.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2 March 1934, p. 1, 3.
“Chicago Pair Face Charge Girl Murder.” Madera Tribune, 27 November 1933, p. 1.
“Chicago Parents to Hear of Sex Hygiene,” The Inter Ocean, 5 June, 1912, p. 3.
Cipriani, Frank. “Did Justice Triumph in Wynekoop Case?” The Knoxville Journal, 28 February, 1943, p. 26.
“Coroner’s jury Holds Dr. Alice Lindsay Wynekoop for Murder After She Confesses Killing Daughter-in-Law.” Chicago Daily Tribune, 25 November 1933, p. 32.
“Dr. Gilbert Wynekoop Gets Narcotics Penalty.” The Decator Herald, 15 August 1951, p. 19.
“Dr. Harry Hoffman Describes Scenes Leading Up to Dr. Wynekoop’s Signed Confession.” Chicago Tribune, 19 January, 1934, p. 2.
“Doctor Wynekoop Shown as Stern Matriarch and Doting Mother.” Chico Record, 14 December, 1933, p. 6.
“Earle Wynekoop Lives Under Middle Name.” The Spokesman-Review, 18 September 1935, p. 2.
“Find Dr. Gilbert Wynekoop Sane in Court Hearing.” Chicago Tribune, 27 October 1936, p. 5.
“Girl’s Death Caused by Gunshot Wound, Medical Experts Say.” The Decator Daily Review, 25 November 1933, p. 1.
Grant, Bruce. “Alienists Consider Mother Love in Seeking ‘Motive’ Behind Tragic Wynekoop Slaying.” The Daily Republican, 29 November 1933, p. 6.
Grant, Bruce. “Chicago Police Peer Into Subconscious in Attempt to Solve Wynekoop Mystery.” The Daily Republican, 6 December 1933, p. 6.
Grant, Bruce. “Dr. Wynekoop Depicted as Ideal Mother-in-Law Toward Slain Girl.” The Daily Republican, 2 December 1933, p. 6.
Grant, Bruce. “Woman Doctor in Chicago Murder Mystery Shown as Both Stern Matriarch and Doting Mother.” The Daily Republican, 27 November 1933, p. 6.
“Is Your Salary $20? Then Go Get a Kid.” The Daily Gate City, 22 March 1912, p. 5.
“Jurors Ready to Hear Evidence in Wynekoop Trial Today,” Decator Herald, 15 January 1934, p. 8.
McNamara, Joseph. “Greed was the Motive of the Murderous Mother-in-Law.” Daily News, 4 January 1987, p. 131.
“Mother-in-Law’s Discovery Reveals Murder Mystery.” The Indianapolis Star, 23 November 1933, p. 3.
“Motive: Woman Doctor and Son to Face a New Ordeal.” Chicago Tribune, 25 November 1933, p. 1.
“Razing Death House.” St. Joseph News-Press/Gazette, 25 September 1935, p. 13.
“Rheta Spoke of Killing Self if Earle Left Without Her, Catherine Wynekoop Says.” The Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 March 1934, p. 1
“Rips Society Women Up the Back.” The Day Book, 22 March 1912, p. 27.
“Says Child Is No Burden.” Meriden Morning Record, 29 March 1912, p. 4.
“Slam at ‘Near Society’ Women.” The Sacramento Star, 22 March 1912, p. 9.
“Women’s Duty to the Babies.” The Spokesman-Review, 7 May 1910, p. 4.
Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: The Operating Room Romance and Happiness in ‘Dream Home,’” Post Record, 12 December 1933, p. 7.
Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: Daughter Tells of Accused Woman’s Struggles to Become Doctor,” The Pittsburgh Press, 11 December, 1933, p. 7.
Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: Happy Days in Mansion, With Never a Hint of Tragedy to Come.” The Pittsburgh Press, 13 December 1933, p. 23.
Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: Mother’s Guiding Influence Revealed in School Days of Wynekoop Children.” The Bee, 20 December 1933, p. 3.
Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: Mother’s Guiding Influence Shown in Children’s School Days.” The Pittsburgh Press, 14 December 1933, p. 23.
Wynekoop, Dr. Catherine. “The Private Life of the Wynekoop Family: Daughter Says Mother Crucified on Altar of Police Stupidity.” The Pittsburgh Press, 13 December 1933, p. 23.

 

Belle Gunness: Female Serial Killer of La Porte

Belle Gunness purportedly killed scores of victims for financial gain.  After her Indiana farm burned to the ground with the bodies of the Gunness family huddled together in the basement, investigators discovered a number of disfigured and dismembered bodies buried in shallow graves on her property.  Many suspect Belle staged her death and lived out her life as a wealthy woman.  Listen closely because it’s difficult to know if what I say is Fact or Fiction.  Ready to play?

 

Works Cited

Article by Edward Baumann and John O`Brien. “HELL`S BELLE.” Chicagotribune.com, 3 Sept. 2018, www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1987-03-01-8701170475-story.html.

“Believed Famous Woman Murderer Is Found Mississippi.” Corsicana Daily Sun, 18 July 1930, p. 10.

“The Death Harvest of Belle Gunness.” Burlington Daily News, 15 May 1908, p. 5.

“Lamphere Held on Seven Bills.” Green Bay-Press Gazette, 23 May 1908, p. 6.

“LaPorte Horror Hits Matrimonial Brokers.” The Indianapolis News, 8 May 1908, p. 9.

“Letters of an Arch-Murderess Read at Trial.” El Paso Herald, 17 Nov. 1908, p. 3.

“Modern Lucretia Borgia Trailed by Officers.” Des Moines Tribune, 7 May 1908, p. 1.

Morrow, Jason Lucky. Belle Gunness: The Shocking True Story of an Early Female Serial Killer – HistoricalCrimeDetective.com, www.historicalcrimedetective.com/ccca/belle-gunness-story/.

Mowery, Julie. Legends of America, www.legendsofamerica.com/belle-gunness/.

Reilly, Lucas. “Corpses in the Pig Pen: The Tale of Indiana’s Most Notorious Serial Killer.” Mental Floss, 26 Nov. 2018, www.mentalfloss.com/article/562322/belle-gunness-murders.

“Robbed and Burned.” The Saint Paul Globe, 18 July 1886, p. 8.