Master of Murder Castle: H. H. Holmes By: Amanda Mellott

A Murderous Fiend Known as the first serial killer in America Built a Labyrinth inside a three story building Referred to as “Murder Castle” 27 to 200 victims Mostly women Most were from The World’s Fair in Chicago Treated his victims as if they were rats in a maze

The Man Behind the Monster Given name: Herman Mudgett Name H. H. Holmes inspired by Sherlock Holmes Born in Gilmanton, New Hampshire Married Clara A. Loverning Had one child Graduated in 1884 as a Physician Traveled next two years First murder in Mooers, Maine Practices Medicine in Mooers Forks, three miles away

The Bad Beginning Scheme to defraud an insurance company with old classmate Moves to Chicago in November of 1885 Quickly moved to Minneapolis Became a drug store clerk Gave up on insurance scam… for the time being Co-conspirator suddenly died

The first victim Robert. C. Leacock Motive: $40,000 insurance claim Method: Overdose on Laudanum Site: Chicago Year: 1886

Philadelphia After Leacock was murdered, Holmes moved to Philadelphia Job 1: State Lunatic Hospital at Norristown Job 2: Pharmacy on Columbia Street “Accidental” poisoning of patient led to death Quit two days in Moved back to Chicago

Sweet home, Chicago

“The Castle”

THE SECOND VICTIM Dr. Russell Tenant in “The Castle” Motive: Non-payment of rent Method: Struck with chair Site: The Murder Castle Time: 1890? Confirmation of murder: unconfirmed, unlikely Belief of false confession from Holmes

The THIRD AND FOURTH Victims Julia Conner and daughter Pearl Conner Residents in “The Castle.” Alleged lover. Motive: To collect insurance. Method: Butchering, poisoning. Site: The Murder Castle. Confirmation of murder: well-established.

Victims six through ten Milford "Charles" Cole, Lizzie, Mrs. Sarah Cook, her unborn child, and Mrs. Haracamp Southern speculator, a domestic, tenant, tenant’s unborn child, and niece Motive: Money, paranoia, and eliminate witnesses Site: Chicago, “The Castle” Year: Unspecified Confirmation of murder: All unconfirmed

The Eleventh Victim Emeline Cigrand Motive: Eliminate witness Stenographer. Motive: Eliminate witness Method: Suffocated in the vault Site: The Castle Time: December, 1892 Confirmation of murder: Confirmed Police found her hair and bones Eyewitness of hauling trunk out of “The Castle”