October 31, 1941Austin, TexasRobert Pitts is arrested, though police attempting to fingerprint him are puzzled when his fingertips are devoid of ridges Pitts was arrested during a wide scale round-up of suspected draft dodgers. Technicians were confused by the smooth smudges left in place of typical fingerprints. Pitts simply explained, “My fingers got burned in…
The first of 20 people die from the Donora Smog
October 30, 1948Donora, PennsylvaniaThe first of 20 victims of the Donora smog dies An ominous thick, yellow cloud descended on the town of Donora on October 27, 1948. The mist was comprised of a lethal mixture of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and metal dust from the nearby zinc plant and steel mill, and was trapped…
Man executed for the axe murder of his family whose ages ranged from 18 months to 84 years
October 29, 1890Perry, GeorgiaThomas Woolfolk is hanged for the murder of his family On August 6, 1887, Thomas ran to the home of Green Sockett, one of his neighbors, to report his family had been murdered. He’d barely escaped death himself, he claimed, when he was awoken by sounds of his father being beaten to…
The shot and mutilated body of a man is found, ostensibly killed by his brother-in-law
October 28, 1900Chicago, IllinoisThe body of Anton Lizl is found Lizl was found around 6 a.m. Evidence showed he had been shot once in the back of the head, but the bullet failed to kill him. Lizl fought back against his attacker though the latter came out of the scuffle triumphant after slicing Lizl’s throat…
Man kills, dismembers wife and sister-in-law in jealous rage
October 27, 1927New Orleans, LouisianaHenry Moity (30) kills his wife and sister-in-law and dismembers their bodies Henry, his brother Joseph (35), Henry’s wife Theresa (25), and Joseph’s wife Leonide (28), shared a home. Also in the home were the three young children of Henry and Theresa. The brothers reportedly “had been having difficulties from their…
