Hey everyone, I know it’s been a bit since we’ve posted anything over here at The Raven. But, after getting over a cold and possibly the flu, we are attempting to get back on track. I’m in the process of editing our last podcast episode to stay tuned.
Anyway, after hours spent on the couch drinking tea, we decided to catch up on movies on Shudder to get into the spooky spirit. We watched Victor Crowley the other night, and I’m pretty sure I haven’t seen Hatchet 1,2 or 3 ( they’re on my list). Anyway, the film scored 67% on rotten tomatoes, but I enjoyed it. I’d even go so far as recommend it if you are looking for a cheesy swamp-themed horror movie.
I then decided to see if there was any truth to this film. Though nothing directly said, the film was inspired by true events but there was an axeman on New Orleans. Sure, he wasn’t rumored to be some crazy swamp creature, but he did have an ax, so I did a little research.
New story in 50 years, here we go!
The ax-killer of New Orleans, Louisiana, was an American serial killer from May 1918 to October 1919. Some argue that he was responsible for a series of murders in 1911 as well. This is a cold-case; the tax person was never caught nor identified. We do not know who is responsible, but there were at least six deaths and six gruesome injuries from 1918 to 1919.
(Source: Wiki)
Like most serial killers, This one had a particular motive or MO, as we like to call it in the crime world. The killer would enter the home by chiseling out a panel in the back door. While researching this, many people thought that the killer was small enough. To Slither through the missing panel. I disagree; I think the panel was used to access the door or the lock. I think they walked in rather than cramming their body into a one to two-foot panel. It just makes more sense, in my opinion.
Regardless, after entering the home, the killer would attack one or two people with an ax or a straight razor, always belonging to the victim or found in the victim's home. After doing the deed, they would leave the weapon on the property. The break-ins weren't robbery related; nothing was ever removed from the homes.
The killer had to type, Italian immigrants or Italian-Americans, who were Grocers. This led many, myself included, choosing that these crimes were race-related. A small fraction of people believe the crimes were geared towards women, and the men were merely killed because they were there. I guess that could be possible, but there is no evidence indicating that sex was related. However, the victims all being Italian all 12, seems a little more than a coincidence.
Oh yeah, there is one more motive- are you ready? The due was murdered in the name of jazz. Yep, they were a jazz enthusiast, and this was their idea of promoting Jazz. Where did they get this idea? In a letter to the press, that acts person demanded everyone play jazz or have a jazz band going on a particular night. Those who did this would be spared; all others “ would get the ax.” we will get to that portion in a bit. Let's talk about the letter of demand because it's a trip.
(Source: Culture Magizine)
Honestly, when researching this killer, I thought it was just an average serial killer, but no, no, no, this dude works for his “satanic majesty.” Yup, bet you didn’t expect that twist.
The letter is pretty lengthy, but I’m going to include it because it’s absolutely fascinating. Please enjoy the ramblings of a madperson … or a creature from “the hottest hell.” We will never know.
Hottest Hell, March 13, 1919
Esteemed Mortal of New Orleans: The Axeman
They have never caught me, and they never will. They have never seen me, for I am invisible, even as the ether that surrounds your earth. I am not a human being, but a spirit and a demon from the hottest hell. I am what you Orleanians and your foolish police call the Axeman.
When I see fit, I shall come and claim other victims. I alone know whom they shall be. I shall leave no clue except my bloody ax, besmeared with blood and brains of he whom I have sent below to keep me company.
If you wish you may tell the police to be careful not to rile me. Of course, I am a reasonable spirit. I take no offense at the way they have conducted their investigations in the past. In fact, they have been so utterly stupid as to not only amuse me, but His Satanic Majesty, Francis Josef, etc. But tell them to beware. Let them not try to discover what I am, for it were better that they were never born than to incur the wrath of the Axeman. I don't think there is any need of such a warning, for I feel sure the police will always dodge me, as they have in the past. They are wise and know how to keep away from all harm.
Undoubtedly, you Orleanians think of me as a most horrible murderer, which I am, but I could be much worse if I wanted to. If I wished, I could pay a visit to your city every night. At will I could slay thousands of your best citizens (and the worst), for I am in close relationship with the Angel of Death.
Now, to be exact, at 12:15 (earthly time) on next Tuesday night, I am going to pass over New Orleans. In my infinite mercy, I am going to make a little proposition to you people. Here it is: I am very fond of jazz music, and I swear by all the devils in the nether regions that every person shall be spared in whose a jazz band is in full swing at the time I have just mentioned. If everyone has a jazz band going, well, then, so much the better for you people. One thing is certain and that is that some of your people who do not jazz it out on that specific Tuesday night (if there be any) will get the axe.
Well, as I am cold and crave the warmth of my native Tartarus, and it is about time I leave your earthly home, I will cease my discourse. Hoping that thou wilt publish this, that it may go well with thee, I have been, am and will be the worst spirit that ever existed either in fact or realm of fancy.
--The Axeman[6]
What did you think? Pretty crazy. I quite enjoyed trying to decipher the madness and I did notice something interesting. I haven’t mentioned that I minored in philosophy and have a couple of Greek history classes under my belt. The phrase “native Tartarus” stuck out to me.
Tartarus is the deep abyss or dungeon of torment and suffering. This is the place where the Titans are kept prisoners in greek mythology. The Titans were pre-olympian gods or former gods; they were banished to Tartarus after a war in the upper world.
(Source: Greek Legends and Myths)
It seems like the ax person is claiming to be a Titian and the worst of them.
Damn.
Some serial killers are creeps; this dude is claiming to be a mother fucking Titian. I guess go big or go home.
Anyway, let’s discuss the victims.
The first was Joseph and Catherine Maggio on May 23, 1918. Their throats were slit while they slept side-by-side with a straight razor. If that wasn’t bad enough, they were each hit with an ax afterward.
Joseph survived long enough to be found by his brother Andrew who lived in the adjoining apartment two hours later. Andrew reported hearing strange groaning coming from their room and decided to investigate.
Andrew was suspect for a moment because the straight razor was his, and he hadn’t found the couple for nearly two hours. Andrew later explained he was drunk the night of the attacks and had been out celebrating his acceptance into the navy.
Catherine died shortly after the attack; her neck wound was so deep she was nearly decapitated.
(Source:Wiki)
The next couple to have the misfortune of meeting this killer were Louis Besumer and Harriet Lowe.
The attack happened early in the morning on June 27, 1918. Bessemer was stuck in the right side of his head, and his mistress had a similar blow to her left side.
The couple was discovered by Besumer’s baker, John Zanca, at 7 am. Poor Zanca showed up like every other day with his little bread wagon, and when Besumer didn’t answer, he went to check on him. I don’t think he exacted to walk into a bloodbath.
The weapon ended up being Besumer’s ax, which was later found in the bathroom.
Lowe suffered severe brain damage but hung on for nearly nine months before passing away.
At one point, Lowe claims that they were attacked by a multi-racial man. Well, she chose to utilize racial slur instead. The police would later arrest Lewis Oubicon, an African-American who worked for Besumer. Oubicon would soon be released because there was no evidence against him.
Lowe, remember having severe brain damage, later claimed that Besumer attacked her, and it wasn’t the first time. She reported that Besumer came at her with a hatchet only two weeks before this attack. She also told police that he was a Nazi spymaster for the Kaiser.
Police found enough evidence on this claim to detain Besumer for nine months. The only evidence I found were letters written in German in his apartment; that doesn’t seem like evidence to me. I also couldn’t find documentation of the letters at all, no transcripts or anything.
The next victim was Anne Schneider on the evening of August 5, 1918. The 28-year-old was eight months pregnant at the time of the attack. She was found by her husband Ed, who had been working late. Ed found his wife unconscious just after midnight, having suffered several blows to the head. The weapon would later be identified as a lamp found in the home of the Schneider’s.
The next victim was Joseph Romaro, an older man who lived with his nieces, Pauline and Mary Bruno.
On August 10, 1918, the woman awoke to their uncle being attacked by a large, dark figure. The tracker wore a suit, along with a hat and gloves.
Joseph, unfortunately, died two days later due to the excessive head wounds.
The next victims were Charles, his wife Rosie, and their two-year-old daughter, Mary Cortimiglia. It appears that this killer will kill anyone.
On the night of March 10, 1919, Rosie was attacked in the doorway along with her daughter, both receiving blows to the head. Rosie would later be found holding her dead child. Charles was next on the hit list.
Charles and Rosie survived the attack, but Rosie was never the same. She claimed that 69-year-old Iorlando Jurdano and his 28-year-old kid, Frank, attacked them. The accusations were so out there that the couple ended up getting divorced over it.
Regardless, police, determined to catch someone to take the blame for the crimes, arrested the Jurdanos. Frank was sentenced to death by hanging, and his father received life in prison. Luckily Rosie admitted that she lied due to frustration and jealously, and the two were released. Rosie received a perjury charge for her false story. Like seriously, what did they do to her?
The next victim was Steven Boca, who was attacked in his sleep with an axe on August 10, 1919. Steven survived but had no memory of the attack.
Next was Sarah Laumann, who was attacked in her bed on September 3, 1919. Her neighbors literally broke into her house when she didn’t answer the door. Were they concerned or wanting to steal her shit?
This time the killer entered through an open window. But don’t worry, Sarah survived with no memory of what happened.
The last two victims were Mike Pepitone and his baby, who apparently didn’t have a name because I couldn’t find it anywhere. The attack happened on October 27, 1919. Ester, Mike’s wife, heard a bunch of commotion and went to check on him. That was when she walked in to see a large figure running away, and her husband covered in blood.
Ester acted fast and actually shot the attacker as he fled. Ester claimed that Joseph Mumfre attacked her family, and ironically Mumfre’s body would later be discovered near the Pepitone’s. Cause of death? Gunshot.
Mumfre definitely seemed like the guy to do this, and the killings did stop in the area after his death. He had a lengthy list of crimes and was a bigtime racist, especially towards Italians. He hated Italians so much he was the leader of a blackmailing gang that targeted them. Also, the killings happened while he was out of prison. Something else that was interesting was the last series of attacks on Italian grocers in the area happened in 1910 and 1912 when he was also out of prison. If he did commit those crimes, we could add 6 more Italian grocers to the list.
(Source: NOLA)
There was one other suspect, Jaccob Bird. Bird was arrested for two murders in the 1940s. When brought in for questioning, he confessed to having killed over 46 people with an ax. He claimed to have killed all over the United States. According to the police, Bird was a teenager in New Orleans during the time of the killings.
Though there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Birde with these crimes, he was convicted of tho murders and would be known as the Tacoma Ax-killer, which I should definitely cover sometime.
(Source: Wiki)
Well, that about wraps it up; I hope you enjoyed this rather lengthy story. I know it has been ages since I have posted anything, but this month has been crazy. I hope to have another episode up on the podcast by the end of the month, so stay tuned for that. I normally post our new releases on Twitter, so give us a follow.
Happy spooky season and merry Samhain for all the witches out there,
-Tye
(Chai-left and right, Latte- center)
Oh yeah, we got goats. This is Latte and her baby, Chai.
Always Cite Those Sources:
Buzzfeed Unsolved
“Axeman of New Orleans.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 7 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axeman_of_New_Orleans.
Davis, Miriam. “The Axeman of New Orleans Preyed on Italian Immigrants.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 15 Feb. 2018, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/axeman-new-orleans-preyed-italian-immigrants-180968037/.
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